Update: 10 February 2025
Statement from Bill Swan, Chair
Here we are in February already, and so it is time to give an update on our work thus far on our efforts replacing our Queenstown property.
The sale process of the Panaroma Terrace property was completed mid December 2024, we can now share with you that one of the “big picture” reasons for that sale was, to do all that was required to refurbish these properties, the cost to the Society would be close to one million dollars.
Our Society is more than just holiday homes and we must be prudent with our members funds. We are a “Welfare Society offering lots of benefits including holiday homes” and not a “Holiday Home Society offering some other benefits” so the fiscally responsible solution was to sell and buy again.
The properties have sold, and it has given the opportunity to review our requirements and look at various options. In the meantime, the proceeds of the sale have been invested.
In mid January we engaged Harcourts Queenstown. We are looking for a property with good off-street parking, modern, well insulated, single level, low maintenance, few or no stairs, residential dwellings with maybe an attached flat, or maybe 2-bedroom apartments … and the list goes on. We have also investigated new “land and home” build packages.
We are also mindful that there are Queenstown District Council requirements that must be complied with regarding rental properties.
As a Board we are working hard on acquiring a home that will be fit for purpose for our members. We will keep you updated on our progress.
So, in short, a lot has, and is, happening behind the scenes to get this part of our holiday homes “Maintenance and Modernisation” project completed as soon as possible.
We will keep you updated with future developments.
Regards,
Bill Swan, Chair
Update: 7 November 2024
The Queenstown Properties Have SOLD
Today our Queenstown holiday/convalescent homes went up for auction and SOLD. We will have aditional information to share with you very soon as the sales process is finalised, so stay tuned.
Update: 15 October 2024
Auction Date Confirmed
The Queenstown homes will be auctioned by Harcourts on 7 November 2024. This is a very exciting time for the NZ Firefighters Welfare Society. Once the homes have been sold, we can work on a plan as to where and what we buy in Queenstown. Follow this link for auction details.
Update: 17 July 2024
A positive outcome for Queenstown
As part of our holiday home maintenance and modernisation project, our Board has been reviewing the Queenstown properties located at Panorama Terrace.
Due to increasing maintenance costs and the age of the properties, the Board has decided to sell these homes and replace them with a “fit for purpose property”.
One of the objectives is that the new property will be modern and more in line with our rules to support our members with convalescent needs while also offering reduced ongoing operational costs.
This decision has taken many months and has not been made lightly. Our Board has taken advice and believe it is now the right time to move forward with the best interests of our members at heart.
Where to from here
Our aim is to have a new property in Queenstown as soon as we can.
Current bookings will be honoured however NO further bookings will be available until a replacement property is found.
We will keep members updated through our website right here.
Kind Regards
Bill Swan, Board Chair
bill.swan@firefighters.org.nz
Key takeouts
- The Queenstown properties will be replaced with with a low maintenance, modern home
- All current bookings for Queenstown will be honoured
- New bookings for Queenstown are temporarily unavailable
- We will keep you updated as things progress, right here, with regular updates.
