EXCLUSIVE: Queens Park Sacrificed For International Business Hub

A massive commercial, residential hub is to be built on prime inner city land.

whatsoninvers.nz can reveal that a deal has all but been done for a Russian / Oriental joint conglomerate to purchase the north half of Queens Park.

It’s believed the as yet unnamed conglomerate will be paying top dollar for the land which will be used for commercial business facilities and the residential area will be occupied by operational staff and their families.

Local real estate contacts shied away from even giving a ball park value for the land.

whatsoninvers.nz understands that up to 30 residential units will be built.

It’s understood that the overseas concern has been looking at sites up and down New Zealand and across Australia for some time as a southern hemisphere operational hub due to safety concerns in the northern hemisphere.

It’s also understood that part of the commercial interests that will use the facility are Russian and Asian oil and gas exploration companies.

Sources in the energy sector say interests in that part of the world have been keeping a close eye on energy exploration activity in and around New Zealand for some time .

The unnamed sources say that interest has increased markedly with the recent announcement that more on and off shore exploration lots in Southland will be released in coming months.

The cone of silence quickly descended at City Hall when whatsoninvers.nz started asking some direct questions of everyone from the top down about overseas interests obtaining part of our world famous park.

The news has even caught Government ministers on the hop with all relevant ministers denying any knowledge of the project.

When asked if they would come to Invers for an official announcement one minister replied “if the fog clears”

However a well placed source in Wellington says “this will be like nothing this city has seen”

The source in diplomatic circles says Invercargill is extremely lucky to have been chosen for this hub centre.

He says someone has definitely been playing a very long and quiet game to secure this as these things don’t happen quickly and the people involved can be very hard to please.

The source says it’s a sure bet the conglomerate will be paying many millions of dollars for the prime site.

On the ground sources in Invers say interests connected with the venture are also keen to bank roll a new state of the art inner city hotel, conference and arts centre as soon as possible.

It’s believed that planning for this project is well advanced.

It’s understood an official announcement about the Queens Park sale will be made via satellite link at midday today NZ time.