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Bold plans have been unveiled to transform Tekapo as a tourist destination by more than doubling the size of the commercial centre.
A consent application for 19,000 square metres of new building, along with roads, courtyards, walkways and another 290 carparks has been lodged with the Mackenzie District Council.
Coldwater Development's proposed retail, restaurant, accommodation, residential, commercial and tourism development would see the village centre grow from 5200sq m to 10,400 sq m - with another 8500sq m of floor space "upstairs".
In May 2006 Coldwater Developments director Michael Burtscher announced his group of companies' conditional land purchase from the council. If resource consent is obtained the sale will go ahead.
Mackenzie District planning and regulations manager Craig Lyon told the Timaru Herald that as the council was the seller an independent hearing commissioner, David Collins, would determine if the application required public notification.
The consent application includes the approval of 23 affected parties who are mainly based in the village centre.
- NZPA
