Igniting a conversation about developing Wānaka’s town centre, planning for the airport’s future, and advocating for an arts facility are all on the list of priorities for the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board (WUCCB) for 2025.

WUCCB chair Simon Telfer told the Wānaka App the board’s main priorities this year are safe pedestrian/active transport crossings points (on the lakefront, Sir Tim Wallis Drive, Hedditch St, and near the food trucks’ area on Ardmore Street); sports fields development (including lights at the Wānaka Recreation Centre, artificial turf, and Ballantyne Road remediation/master planning); and roading infrastructure (Golf Course Road roundabout, Hāwea’s Capell Avenue extension, the Ballantyne Road Corridor, and the McDougall Street roundabout).  

Wānaka Airport future planning is also on the list.

“We made a lot of progress on some of these priorities last year but it needs to be noted that they are multi-year initiatives,” Simon said.

The board’s second tier of priorities has a wide scope. These include advocating for the completion of a Parking Management Plan for Wānaka, and “leading the conversation” on the Wānaka Town Centre Masterplan development, which has stalled since a community-led advisory document (the Heart of Wānaka Plan) was lodged with the board in July 2023.

Read more: Heart of Wānaka group hands over ‘living document’

“It’s an ongoing conversation with the community,” Simon said. “I’m concerned that without a clearly articulated strategy for the town centre it risks losing its way, particularly with Three Parks’ rapid growth and offering.”

Simon said the board also plans to make progress on the design and funding for stage four of the Lakefront Development Plan - a shared pathway in front of the CBD, and establish a ‘community empowerment fund’ from the Wānaka Asset Sales Reserve (a pool of money to fund capital expenditure for the benefit of Wānaka residents). 

Read more: Who holds Wānaka’s purse strings: Board seeks control over asset fund

Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board members (from left) Lyal Cocks, Barry Bruce, Simon Telfer (chair), Linda Joll, mayor Glyn Lewers (not a member), Chris Hadfield, and Cody Tucker (member John Wellington absent). Deputy mayor Quentin Smith (not a member) in front..

Simon said he believed the amount of the fund should be the balance of the asset reserve, which currently sits at around $4M.

“There are some potential land sales over the next couple of years that will, again, add to that Wānaka specific asset reserve,” he said. 

Simon said the board also plans to advance environmental works, including Bullock Creek stormwater infrastructure, as well as continue to advocate for a proposed Wānaka Performing Arts Centre, which was not included as a line item in Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) 2024 Long Term Plan.

Read more: LTP: Arts advocates disappointed, but council work continues

Finally, the board hopes to deliver the Mt Iron Reserve Management Plan, and make progress on active transport initiatives - including innovations like scooters, foldable bikes, and electric skateboards.

Simon said a range of priorities were completed last year, including stage five of the Lakefront Development Plan (the path past the Wānaka Marina), pedestrian and walking improvements through Stoney Creek area (including the new bridge), the Schools to Pool pathway, the Riverbank/Ballantyne Roads roundabout, the Domain Road roundabout in Lake Hāwea, and the Ballantyne Road sports ground remediation contract.

The board’s first meeting for the year is still weeks away (Thursday February 20). Local body elections - for the WUCCB and Queenstown Lakes District Council - will be held in October this year.

PHOTOS: Wānaka App