Building work at Wooing Tree Estate, Cromwell, 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.

The decision was formalised by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) yesterday.

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

“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,” Sean 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.

The project has undergone the same process as a standard consent but over a much shorter timeframe.

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,” Sean adds.

“Housing development is commonly seen as one of the best economic stimulators that a government can utilise to encourage investment. Its stimulus delivers across a broad and diverse supply chain.”

Stage 1 at Wooing Tree Estate was completed earlier this year and the first homes are 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. Remaining stages will follow over the next two or three years.

“Sections at Wooing Tree Estate continue to be really well received,” Sean says. “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.

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

“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.”