Paywall removed. Lakeview investigation Part 3.

This investigation, funded by Crux paid subscribers, examines how a $2 billion Australian luxury property development in the centre of Queenstown started life as a “risk free investment” by the Queenstown Lakes District Council. In ten parts we will tell the story of how a large piece of ratepayer owned prime real estate, valued at $42 million in 2017, was turned into a black hole that so far has cost ratepayers over $100 million, increased rates and may not get built. Crux also acknowledges the role of Google’s Pinpoint investigative journalism tools and will publish, in the public interest, each part without a paywall three days after paid subscribers receive this content.

In this third part of our ten part investigation we look at a pivotal moment in the history of the project. A moment where, arguably, democracy died.

In 2021 the Australian developers, Ninety Four Feet, made the shock announcement that they wanted to double the height of the multiple Lakeview towers. The new buildings would be twice the height of any other building in Queenstown.

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