Judge critical of QLDC's handling of Bob's Cove luxury lodge

An Environment Court judge has singled out the Queenstown Lakes District Council for the second time in weeks over the council's handling of high profile planning cases.

In issuing interim approval for a large scale luxury lodge at Bob's Cove near Queenstown, Judge Prudence Steven criticised the QLDC for not backing itself over its own initial arguments.

"For the court’s part, we have a measure of disquiet with the decision of any council not to defend its own first instance decision, particularly where the case involves important policy issues and is made without the involvement of relevant experts, as appears to have occurred on this occasion.

"However, this is not a matter we need to say anything more about in this decision; enough has been said about a council’s obligation in Second Star Ltd v Queenstown Lakes District Council."

Judge Steven's reference to Second Star Ltd is the dismissal of Peter Thiel's luxury Wānaka lodge where she accused the council of changing sides half way through the hearing.

One of the concept images being used to develop and market the Waimarino project.

The Bob's Cove interim decision brings the development closer to reality in spite of detailed legal opposition from a group of local residents. The developer had originally proposed a subdivision on the site but amended that to more of an integrated resort style development.

The amended proposal abandons the subdivision concept for more of a luxury eco lodge concept.

The developer is Waimarino Queenstown Ltd, linked to a single director, Andrew McIntosh of Sydney. Mr McIntosh is part of the Australian company Collective Property Group PTY Ltd.

Waimarino Queenstown Ltd was formed in 2020.