Fast-track Approval

PRESS RELEASE

Building work at Wooing Tree Estate has been fast-tracked through the consent process following its approval by an expert panel convened by Central Government.

The subdivision and boutique retail and hospitality centre has met the requirements of the Government’s COVID-19 (Fast Track Consenting) Act – meaning the delivery of building works will happen in months, if not years, sooner than expected.

Sean Haynes, Senior Development Manager for Veros Property on behalf of the development team behind Wooing Tree Estate says approval will be great news for Cromwell and sends a message of certainty to the wider Central Otago community.

“It’s pleasing to see the Government creating mechanisms to stimulate economic activity in the wake of last year, and particularly projects that provide much-needed housing supply,” Haynes says.

The Act was introduced by the Government in July last year to speed up the consent process for projects deemed to aid economic recovery and fill the employment void left by COVID. Wooing Tree Estate is one of the first applications to be approved under the legislation alongside projects such as the $130 million Petone Cycleway project and a billion-dollar foam factory in Huntly.

“Wooing Tree Estate is set to deliver more than 300 new homes at a time when housing supply is a critical issue in New Zealand.  Housing development is commonly seen as one of the best economic stimulators that government can utilise to encourage and invest in. It’s stimulus delivers across a broad and diverse supply chain,” Haynes adds.

Stage 1 at Wooing Tree Estate was completed earlier this year and the first homes beginning to come to life now. Approval under fast track enables the delivery of the next stage, which has completely sold-out off the plan, to proceed right on the heels of Stage 1 and remaining stages to follow over the next two or three years.

“Sections at Wooing Tree Estate continue to be really well received. The quality landscaping, open space and design guidelines have really seen this development set itself apart.  Purchasers are really excited to be part of this new neighbourhood, where they can live amongst the vines in such a wonderful part of the country”.

Now that the project has been approved by the expert panel, which is convened by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and comprises a highly experienced team of reviewers, construction works can ramp up over the summer.  The project has undergone the same process as a standard consent but over a much shorter timeframe.

“Approval by the expert panel for Wooing Tree sends a message of certainty to those in the building industry, those who rely on the building industry for their own livelihood and most importantly, Kiwis who are looking to get into their own home in a spectacular part of the country,” Haynes says.

“We’re also aligning our plans with Central Otago District Council’s spatial master plan for Cromwell. The master plan encourages residential development within walking distance of the Cromwell Mall and an increased focus on quality design of diverse integrated housing development.”