The Queenstown Lakes District Council will be asked to adopt a comprehensive district-wide parking and transportation study tomorrow (Thursday).

"This essential document provides solutions for the well understood parking and roading problems experienced in the district. The philosophical background is that our roading network is finite, it will reach capacity quickly and public transport will be our focus and drive," QLDC Mayor Clive Geddes said.

In October 2003 Montgomery Watson Harza New Zealand, in association with Gabites Porter, were engaged to undertake the study, which involved the development of a computer-based model a wide range of research and investigation. The strategy, entitled Future Link is an executive summary of that work.

"The study and the strategy it produces is growth focused and has a 2021 horizon to fit with Council?s other strategic planning studies.  The outcomes of the study will drive changes in the roading and parking network and will enable Council and its roading partners to plan for and implement a significant expenditure programme," Mr Geddes said.

The strategy anticipated the inevitable rate of growth, existing and future deficiencies, projects to remedy these and approximate programme for undertaking the works.

"It has been developed using the best available data, however, it is a living document and will require regular updates as more information on growth and the consequences of growth becomes available," Mr Geddes said.

Updates would review the strategy, comment on what had been implemented, rate the usefulness of those changes and continue to propose an integrated way forward.

"This is the first time comprehensive computer-based modelling has been undertaken in the Queenstown Lakes District.  These models simulate travel behaviour within the study area by using detailed land use activity as a means of predicting vehicle movements," Mr Geddes said.

The transportation model had been prepared for all network elements that were managed by the Council and its roading partner Transit New Zealand. State Highways, operated by Transit NZ, were included.

"We know that the consequences of doing nothing would result in a transportation gridlock, this strategy flags a shift to a public transport network, it's not an option, it's an inevitability.

The Council had already held informal talks with public transport design people.

By: Tamah