An AI-generated future Queenstown has skyscrapers and cargo ships

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Otago News

By reporter Debbie Jamieson:

An AI-generated future for Queenstown including skyscrapers and a container ship is dividing opinion in the tourist town.

According to the vision, the golf course at Kelvin Heights will be covered in development and linked by a bridge to Queenstown Gardens, which hosts a line of glass-covered buildings.

Spread out skyscrapers sit in the central business district and on the popular lake front, while Shotover St has become an eight-lane highway.

Local André Chalmers took the photo of Queenstown and created the image with Photoshop Generative AI Fill to see what the town would look like with increased building heights.

The Queenstown Lakes District Council is consulting on plans to allow higher density development in the district, as directed under central Government’s National Policy Statement.

Queenstown, Frankton, Arrowtown, Wānaka and Lake Hāwea all face potential changes with buildings in the Queenstown town centre potentially reaching heights of 24m – or up to seven storeys.

They are currently restricted to 15.5m.

Of course, the skyscrapers in Chalmers’ image are much taller than 24m, but then the possibility of getting container ships and an oil tanker into Lake Wakatipu is also absurd – let alone considering where they might be going.

One commentator has suggested the ships could provide workers' accommodation.

Other social media followers have referred to the image as The Rio of the South, Queenscity, and Queenscoast.

Some have expressed concern that the image was an over-exaggeration and being used to spread misinformation and confusion.

Others are concerned there’s no snow on the Remarkables, no queue at Fergburger and no more car parking spots.

Plans to increase urban areas around the district have caused concern in communities such as Arrowtown, where a public meeting was held last month to understand the proposals.

High density residential areas could increase to 16.5m in Queenstown and 12m in Wānaka (from 10m) with medium density across much of the district to increase to 11m and low density increasing 1m to 8m.

The removal of setbacks in some zones will allow for more buildings and residential units to be constructed within a site than at present.

Minimum lot sizes in new developments are smaller and there is a reduction in car parking for developments close to public transport.

In its analysis of the proposal Todd and Walker Law said more development upwards and outwards would be permitted.

“We expect that new buildings constructed to the maximum height limits will disrupt existing views and amenity values for some landowners.

“The increase in townhouse and apartment complexes may also change the nature of existing suburbs.”

Submissions on the Proposed Urban Intensification Variation should be made by October 5.