Five major infrastructure proposals have been identified, including the Cardrona wastewater scheme and the Wanaka lakefront development, as shovel-ready projects worthy of central government funding.

The Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is requesting $68M in contributions from central government’s Crown Infrastructure Partners (CIP) fund, which has $800M available for infrastructure projects throughout the country which are ready to start within the next six to 12 months.

The aim is to boost economic recovery post-COVID-19, and if the council’s request for funding is fully supported it will “unlock over $500M of currently planned and accelerated investment” across the district, and generate over 1,600 jobs and millions in economic benefits, a QLDC media statement said.

Five “pipelines” of investment have been submitted to central government for consideration and, if supported, the investment will help the QLDC to kickstart economic recovery by beginning the first stages of five projects which will be finished with further council investment in coming years. 

The projects include support for the Cardrona wastewater pipeline project and Cardrona wastewater treatment plant to enable a compliant wastewater scheme to replace the town’s current scheme, which is failing. Also included is the fast-tracking of the long-awaited Wanaka lakefront development stages two to five, which would promote active travel modes and enhance the town centre’s lakefront design and ecology.  

Another project would transform Queenstown’s town centre with the development of the first stages of arterial roads to improve traffic flow and support a new town centre public transport hub, as well as improving local roads to support mixed-mode travel. 

The last two proposals cover upgrading the Shotover Delta wastewater treatment plant and decommissioning the oxidation ponds which will allow the repurposing of ten hectares of land into a zero waste ‘community eco park’ for recycling; and upgrading and improving the sports and recreational facilities at the Queenstown Events Centre, including two new artificial turfs, four new outdoor hardcourts, new and upgraded grass sports fields, and improved access and parking, with later investment by the QLDC in a new renewable wastewater heat recovery system and two new indoor courts.

Mayor Jim Boult said these five projects were critical not only in themselves but in providing confidence to the market to continue their investment in the district.

He said partnerships will be key to the district’s future success. 

“No single person or organisation can make our recovery happen. Our engagement and partnership with central government is essential,” he said. “Partnerships within the private sector and from within our community are also vital to achieve the best possible outcome for [the] Queenstown Lakes district.” 

The application for funding was submitted last Tuesday (April 14) and QLDC will now wait for the government to decide which projects they will be funding through the ‘shovel ready’ infrastructure fund. 

PHOTO: Wanaka App