Residents in the scenic Gibbston Valley near Queenstown are outraged over the government’s approval of a fast-tracked development plan for a 900-house project that they believe threatens the area’s rural character and its recently awarded “dark sky park” certification. The Friends of the Gibbston Character Zone, a local advocacy group, has resumed activities to voice concerns about the potential influx of residents—expected to number around 3,000—and the strain this could place on local infrastructure, including the busy state highway. Developer Gibbston Valley Station (GVS) argues that the project falls within an existing development zone and is committed to including affordable housing and enhancing public transport services. However, residents fear the rapid growth contradicts agreed-upon development strategies and risks harming the region’s wine tourism industry. The discourse highlights the tension between planned urban development and community preservation, with residents rallying against perceived government overreach in the approval process.