The Queenstown Lakes District Council has unanimously voted to proceed with a Convention Centre in downtown Queenstown, subject to certain conditions.
The backing allows the council to formally approach the Government for funding and further investigate the local rating options to pay for the centre.
The $50 million price did not deter councillors, despite a last-minute push by a local developer Alistair Porter, who said he could build a convention centre at no cost to ratepayers.
But councillors criticised Mr Porter, saying his proposal was less than genuine.
Mayor Vanessa van Uden said a future council could stop the process at any time, and today's decision was a step, rather than the green light for the entire project.
The conditions include securing government funding and developing a master plan for the proposed site, which will list possible investment partners.
