Fast-Track Approval Clears 2,800 Homes for Queenstown

“Approval for this project took around six months from the panel’s appointment,” Mr Bishop said.

Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has welcomed the fast-track approval of a major housing development in Queenstown, describing it as a decisive step toward easing one of New Zealand’s most acute housing affordability pressures.

The RCL Homestead Bay Limited project — approved by an independent Fast-track panel — will deliver 2,800 residential homes alongside a new commercial retail precinct, injecting hundreds of millions into the regional economy.

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$720 Million GDP Boost and 4,420 Construction Jobs

The project, lodged in June 2025, secured approval approximately six months after the panel’s appointment — a timeframe the Minister says demonstrates the efficiency of the Fast-track consenting system.

“Approval for this project took around six months from the panel’s appointment,” Mr Bishop said.

Economic modelling estimates the development will:

• Contribute $720.3 million to GDP

• Support approximately 4,420 jobs during construction

The scale of the project makes it one of the largest residential developments approved in the Queenstown Lakes District in recent years.

“This development of thousands of homes will make a real difference in Queenstown, where demand for housing is high,” Mr Bishop said.

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Addressing One of New Zealand’s Most Expensive Housing Markets

Queenstown Lakes has experienced sustained population growth over the past two decades, driven by tourism, hospitality, construction and international migration. However, housing supply has struggled to keep pace.

Key housing pressures include:

• The highest median house sale price in New Zealand as of January 2026

• A median sale price approximately $1 million higher than the national average

• Rising rental prices over the same period

“Over the last two decades, Queenstown Lakes has become one of the most expensive districts in New Zealand to buy a home,” Mr Bishop said.

“The supply of more affordable homes has not kept up with growth. This means long-term residents and temporary workers struggle to find affordable homes.”

The Government says increasing housing supply at scale is essential to restoring affordability and supporting the district’s workforce.

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Infrastructure Designed to Reduce Pressure

A key consideration in the approval process was infrastructure resilience and capacity.

The independent panel found that the project’s infrastructure plan — including the use of independent wastewater systems — was adequate and designed to minimise pressure on existing council networks. The systems are structured so they could integrate with the council’s wastewater network in the future if required.

This approach was considered critical in ensuring the development does not exacerbate infrastructure bottlenecks, a common challenge in high-growth regions.

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Tenth Project Approved Under Fast-Track

The Homestead Bay approval marks the 10th project consented under the Fast-track regime, which was introduced to accelerate major infrastructure and housing developments.

Mr Bishop said the decision demonstrates the system is functioning as intended.

“This is the 10th project to be approved through Fast-track, and it shows the system is working to get much-needed infrastructure off the ground faster.”

The Fast-track process aims to streamline approvals for projects considered nationally or regionally significant, reducing delays while maintaining environmental and planning safeguards through independent panel oversight.

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Major Housing Signal for the Region

With 2,800 homes now approved, the Homestead Bay development represents a substantial addition to Queenstown’s housing pipeline. The scale of supply is expected to support workforce retention, improve housing choice, and underpin continued economic growth in one of New Zealand’s most internationally recognised tourism centres.

As pressure on high-growth regions intensifies, the Government is signalling that large-scale, infrastructure-supported housing projects will remain central to its strategy to boost supply and address affordability.