Winton secures fast-track approval for Ayrburn Screen Hub
Winton Land Limited has received approval for its Ayrburn Screen Hub development under New Zealand’s Fast-track Approvals Act 2024. The approval, granted subject to conditions, enables the company to progress a 201-unit film production facility located between Arrowtown and Lake Hayes, adjacent to the existing Ayrburn Hospitality Precinct and Northbrook Arrowtown. The decision remains subject to a 20 working day statutory appeal period.
The fast-track approval pathway de-risks the development timeline by streamlining what would typically be a multi-year consenting process through standard planning channels. Winton can now move toward detailed design and construction planning for the integrated film and accommodation precinct.
When big ASX news breaks, our subscribers know first
What is the Ayrburn Screen Hub?
The Ayrburn Screen Hub is designed as an all-inclusive film studio precinct, enabling production teams to work and stay onsite throughout filming, production, and post-production phases. The facility operates on a dual-use accommodation model: housing film workers during active productions and converting to visitor accommodation when studios are not in use.
The development will include:
- Studio buildings for filming operations
- Workrooms and office space for film departments
- Dressing rooms for cast and crew
- Screening room and meeting space
- 201-unit accommodation facility
This integrated model maximises facility utilisation by repurposing the accommodation component during non-production periods. The dual revenue stream approach differentiates the project from single-use studio infrastructure by capturing tourism demand when film activity is dormant.
Regional economic benefits and infrastructure strengthening
Lauren Christie, General Manager Queenstown
“The decision will deliver meaningful employment and economic growth for the region and significantly strengthen New Zealand’s film and television infrastructure, while also providing further improvements to water quality beyond the gains already achieved across the wider Ayrburn site.”
The Screen Hub is positioned to support job creation and economic activity in the Queenstown region, a tourism-dependent economy seeking sector diversification. By adding production infrastructure to New Zealand’s film industry capacity, the project could attract international screen productions that require self-contained filming and accommodation facilities.
The announcement also references water quality improvements beyond gains already achieved across the wider Ayrburn site, suggesting environmental mitigation measures form part of the approved conditions.
Winton’s broader development pipeline
The Ayrburn Screen Hub adds a differentiated commercial asset to Winton’s predominantly residential development portfolio. The company operates 12 masterplanned communities across New Zealand, with a portfolio comprising:
- 20 projects in total
- Approximately 5,750 combined residential lots, dwellings, apartment units, retirement village units, and commercial lots
The Screen Hub’s proximity to the existing Ayrburn Hospitality Precinct and Northbrook Arrowtown creates precinct synergies, clustering accommodation, hospitality, and now entertainment infrastructure within a single masterplanned zone. This clustering strategy could enhance asset values across the wider Ayrburn landholding by establishing the site as a multi-use destination rather than a single-purpose residential subdivision.
The project represents a strategic pivot for Winton beyond traditional land banking and residential lot sales into commercial entertainment infrastructure with tourism exposure. If successful, the Screen Hub could provide recurring income streams through studio leasing and accommodation bookings, diversifying revenue away from one-off residential lot settlements.
The approval now enters a 20 working day appeal period. Assuming no successful challenges, Winton will be able to proceed to construction planning and contractor procurement for the facility.
Want the Next Real Estate Development in Your Inbox?
Join 20,000+ investors getting FREE breaking ASX news delivered within minutes of release, complete with in-depth analysis. Click the “Free Alerts” button at StockWire X to start receiving real-time alerts the moment market-moving announcements break across property, infrastructure, and development stocks.