Signs erected along the Wānaka lakefront, at a cost of $15,000, have failed to deter campervans from parking there, and the local community board is now expected to come up with a solution.

One Wānaka councillor has been frustrated by the process.

“I don’t think it’s achieved anything, and it’s annoyed a lot of people and created an eyesore,” Lyal Cocks told the Wānaka App.

Late last year Lyal urged the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board (WUCCB) to wait until after Christmas to see what, if any, problems arose by allowing campervans to park in the new car parks along Ardmore Street.

Lyal said he doesn’t believe the board and council have thought the issue through.

“It’s not that much of a problem. We want people to go and enjoy the lake.”

However, former WUCCB chair Barry Bruce said the board had received “a clear message to have wide open space and views of the lake not restricted by large vehicles such as campervans” during consultation on the lakefront redevelopment.

When the Wānaka Community Board (WCB) endorsed the concept design for stage two of Wānaka’s Lakefront Development Plan (LDP) in November 2020, board members including Ed Taylor said preventing the mass of campervans from parking on the foreshore blocking lake views - the “great white wall of Wānaka” - was crucial.

“... the management of campervan parking needs more work,” Barry said.

Current WUCCB chair Simon Telfer said campervans need to be guided to where they should park, “not just where parking is prohibited”. 

He said the new signage is part of a trial (which runs to the end of January) which “hasn't been perfect with sign vandalism and non compliance of camper vans two areas of frustration”.

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) spokesperson Sam White said the council was disappointed with the vandalism to the signs, and council contractors would secure existing signs this week.

“Council staff have a workshop with the community board on Friday [January 27] to discuss progress on this stage of the Lakefront Development Plan, including parking and signage. Any changes to the current arrangements will be made in line with the board’s direction.”

PHOTO: Wānaka App