Design for Stage three Wānaka Lakefront Development Plan released to public

A detailed design (nearing completion), along with a number of artist impressions of Stage Three of the Wānaka Lakefront Development Plan have been released to the public.

Stage Three will see the implementation of Te Ara Wānaka (a shared pathway) for pedestrians and cyclists and a separate boardwalk along the lake's edge, guided by valuable community feedback received in support of continuous access.

Development and restoration of ecology continues to be an integral part of Stage Three, with plans for wide scale planting in the area to maintain a rugged, natural look, while also providing an injection of native flora and fauna.

Local organisation Te Kākano will be involved to help eco-source as many locally grown plants as possible, with plans for continued collaboration in planting for future stages of the Wānaka Lakefront Development Plan. 

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) Community Services General Manager, Thunes Cloete was pleased to see Stage Three taking shape, saying that once finished, the area would be a combination of ecology and accessibility the community would be proud of.

Dr Cloete noted "we received overwhelming support for Stage Three's Concept Plan released back in June last year, with our community asking for more planting and improved access.

"We understand there was some apprehension about the boardwalk and its effect on Wānaka's Grebe population, but we've worked with stakeholders to not only make sure they're accounted for, but that any development in the area supports them."

Wānaka resident John Darby was looking forward to the project getting underway, noting that Grebe and the majority of Wānaka's waterfowl nest in the area, and would benefit from Stage Three developments.

Darby added "the introduction of more planting here will improve the ecosystem, and provide an increased food source for Grebe and other birds.”

Wānaka Community Board (WCB) Chair, Barry Bruce said the Board was delighted with how Stage Three was coming along, noting that the underutilised land from Wānaka Marina through to Bullock Creek would become a real destination for both locals and visitors to the town.

Bruce advised "both pedestrians and cyclists will be able to safely move through the area, and landscaping will provide places for people to sit, enjoy a picnic and take in some of the best views Wānaka has to offer.

"We're really excited at the prospect of sharing more of Wānaka's rich past by way of information panels highlighting the area's significance to Kāi Tahu, and details of native plant and animal life found nearby."

Bruce added "we're also hoping to help facilitate community groups running science projects in this section of the lakefront, with current plans to support Wai Wanaka and the Freshwater Improvement Million Metres Fund in monitoring riparian planting and its effects overs time."