An artist’s impression of the Mt Iron Junction development from the entrance of the park ing bay on State Highway 84. IMAGES: SUPPLIEDA major housing development seeking fast-track approval at the base of Mt Iron is an ‘‘exciting new project that’s meeting the changing demands’’ of Wanaka, a community housing chief executive says. Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust chief executive Julie Scott said the planned Mt Iron Junction development, which lodged its fast-track consent application last month, was a good example of development close to the heart of the town. Mr Schikker said the Mt Iron Junction development aimed to meet this area of demand, providing attainable housing by delivering ‘‘smaller, smarter, simpler dwellings ... to singles, couples and smaller families’’. Inclusionary housing contributions are helpful, but not a ‘‘silver bullet’’ for fixing the housing problems in the Queenstown Lakes District, with over 250 Wānaka-based households on the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust’s waiting list.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 19, 2026 16:54 UTC