Community Board asked to support next steps for Masterplan

Date:

Nov 18, 2019

The Wānaka Town Centre Masterplan and Wānaka Integrated Transport Business case is on the agenda for the first Wānaka Community Board meeting on Thursday. 

Queenstown Lakes District Council General Manager Property and Infrastructure Peter Hansby said the Community Board is being asked for support to progress the next stage which involves more detailed investigations, as requested by the community and transport engineers. This will include further work on walking and cycling opportunities. 

“The last round of community engagement delivered a clear message that more investigation and detailed understanding was required before progressing some of the elements proposed in the Masterplan,” Mr Hansby said

“To alleviate community concern that further investigation is required, we are now asking for community board support to progress a ‘Network Optimisation’ single stage business case over the next twelve months.  This work will provide the detailed evidence required to make changes to the transport network to provide more walking and cycling opportunities, achieve ideal traffic flows on Brownston Street, SH84 and further explore the need for and potential location of a town centre bypass,” he said

“The work will also include a parking management strategy and identification of low cost, low risk projects to be implemented while the detailed investigations are underway,” he said.

Any further town centre upgrades identified in the Wānaka Masterplan or wider transport network improvements would be reviewed once the business case is complete and Council officers will report back to the Community Board before any further progress is made. 

“The Masterplan and Integrated Transport Business Case we’re presenting to the board this week reflects a snapshot in time, examining the current problems and opportunities in the town centre and wider transport network and suggested projects that could be progressed over a 30 year period,” he said.

Mr Hansby reiterated that Council will continue to involve and consult the community, including individual property and business owners where appropriate to determine and refine projects as the business case investigation progresses and through the 2021-31 Long Term Plan. 

$510,000 of funding has already been approved through the NZ Transport Agency National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) to progress the single stage business case. 

Further funding would need to be considered through the next Long Term Plan and NLTP.

ENDS|KUA MUTU.

The Wānaka Community Board agenda report and attachments can be downloaded from the QLDC website here: https://www.qldc.govt.nz/council-online/council-documents/agendas-and-minutes/wanaka-community-board-agendas/2019-wanaka-community-board/21-november-2019/

More details on a single stage business case:  https://nzta.govt.nz/roads-and-rail/highways-information-portal/processes/project-development/single-stage-business-case/

Media contact: communications@qldc.govt.nz or call 03 441 1802.