A reprioritisation of the transport budget for Queenstown Lakes will affect a handful of Upper Clutha roading projects.

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) received around $11.9M less than expected for the 2025-2027 financial years from the Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency for transport projects.

As a result, funding was reprioritised late last year.

“The most significant things from an Upper Clutha perspective are the changes in funding around the [Hāwea] Capell Avenue extension, and the reduction in budget for minor improvements,” a QLDC spokesperson told the Wānaka App.

The Upper Clutha minor improvements budget was reduced by around $3.7M to $4.7M.

“The [minor improvements budget] in particular will have significant implications for the smaller interventions that are quite visible to the community such as intersection improvements and crossing points,” the spokesperson said.

The budget for the Capell Avenue extension (to connect Capell Avenue with Cemetery Road) for the 2025-2027 was reduced by around $3.2M.

The budget for the project for 2025-2027 is now $0.37M, and $1.4M for the 2028 financial year.

QLDC councillors approved the updated three-year transportation capital expenditure budget at the last full council meeting.

The reprioritisation occurred because QLDC’s transportation budgets were approved by council when the 2024-2034 Long Term Plan was adopted in September, before NZTA funding was confirmed. 

The LTP had “included assumptions around the type and quantum of funding QLDC would receive from NZTA”.

At the council meeting, councillors expressed frustration about the level of investment from NZTA.

NZTA “really needs to come to the party in this district,” deputy mayor Quentin Smith said.

A QLDC representative told the Wānaka App QLDC staff plan to work through priorities with the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board to agree where the remaining funding will be invested.

PHOTO: Wānaka App