Improvements to various Albert Town community assets and amenities were highlighted at the Albert Town Community Association’s (ATCA) annual general meeting last week (January 22) and potential future projects, such as a dedicated community centre, were raised.

ATCA chair Heather Thorne said she was very proud of the committee’s achievements over the past 12 months which included upgrades to parks and reserves, investment in infrastructure, pest eradication and the start of a new project recognising historic Albert Town sites.

Feedback from previous resident surveys indicated a need for youth focused activities, Heather said, which resulted in the formal development of the Gunn Road Bike Park.

Located in the Hikuwai reserve, alongside Gunn Road, informal trails had been created years ago and were well used, but never formally established or fully developed for younger users.

Weedmat covered bunds will be planted to ameliorate neighbours’ concerns about noise from the popular Gunn Road bike park.

Five years of discussions with the Department of Conservation came to fruition last year when ATCA was granted approval to develop a junior bike park with four trails.

With a $1000 donation from ATCA, Bike Wānaka was tasked with upgrading the pump track as well as flow, climb and jump trails. The improvements were completed in December 2022 and native planting of the bunds will occur this autumn, Heather said.

“It was an example of persistence…but the outcome has been worth it.”  

Templeton Park, near the confluence of the Cardrona and Clutha rivers, also received attention.  

“It was really looking shabby, overgrown and totally overrun by rabbits,” Heather said.

ATCA approached the Queenstown Lakes District Council staff with a plan and by September 2022 the area had been mowed, rabbit-proof fencing erected and local native nursery Te Kākano provided plants.

Since then, Heather said, it’s become popular as a dog exercise park.

She said that wasn’t the primary intent for fencing the park, but as long as people are conscientious about picking up after their dogs they were welcome.

The community orchard in Albert Town’s Lagoon reserve has struggled to get established but last year an automated, underground, drip-fed irrigation system was installed. 

There have been some technical teething problems, and this summer’s extreme heat coupled with water restrictions have further stressed the orchard’s trees but, Heather said, “it’s a very special place and we’re desperate to save it”.

Heather also reported that five years of predator trapping around the Lagoon Reserve was paying off with a large number of rats and hedgehogs caught last year resulting in a thriving native bird population, including kingfishers, tui and pukeko.

ATCA’s future plans include having rubbish bins installed near the retail centre, improving the Allison Avenue entranceway to Albert Town, and working with the QLDC to establish a dedicated community centre.

Heather said Albert Town needs its own community centre with a meeting room, kitchen, ablutions and heating.

“We’re not asking a lot; something simple and practical,” she said, “[but] we want it to be the heart of our community”.

The project is in its early stages, with the committee investigating the prospects for a community building, considering potential sites and users needs, she said.

PHOTOS: Wānaka App