The potential to progress a select few local projects - including toilets at the Snow Farm, a council dog park, and night lights for Wānaka’s Skate Park - were discussed at a workshop in Wānaka last week (September 26).

With the recent confirmation of the council’s long-term plan (LTP), it’s clear there will be little funding for local community projects over the next three years. 

But with a modest $320K minor improvements budget available for this financial year, and an additional $130K each year thereafter, the Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board has been asked by Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) Parks staff to indicate which community projects had top priority.

Snow Farm Toilets

A request for public toilets at the Snow Farm was highlighted in many Wānaka submissions to the LTP but the board wanted further information, such as the type of toilets, costs, and the input of the Snow Farm, before it could prioritise the project.

Parks manager Dave Winterburn said the LTP budgeted $375K for toilets throughout the district but that funding wasn’t available until three years from now. 

Toilets at Lismore Park have already been discussed by the board but the Snow Farm toilets could be a higher priority if appropriate funding could be secured.

An investigation into other sources of funding was suggested by board members, such as approaching Snow Farm neighbour the Department of Conservation, or requesting funding from central government’s visitor levy.

Wānaka Dog Park

A few Wānaka people had also made submissions to establish a local dog park. Dave said the staff had reviewed suitable locations but its policy favoured multi-use parks, rather than a dog park which would restrict it to a single user group. 

He added there was no budget for a dog park.

Deputy mayor Quentin Smith said the desire for a local dog park was historic but the board needed further information. For instance, was just a fenced area required, or was shelter, shade, water, parking and an agility course also wanted; and what are the pros and cons of dog parks.

Councillor Lyal Cocks also advised the securely fenced area at Templeton Park, in Albert Town, was treated as a dog park and already well used by many locals, so “I don’t think we could justify spending a whole lot of money right now”, he said. 

Skate Park Lights

The Wānaka Skateboard Club has been lobbying council for some years to extend the use of Wānaka’s Skate Park by installing lights. 

It is estimated an additional 1,000 hours of skate park usage each year was possible under lights between dusk and 10pm, particularly during the six months from April to September. Daylight saving meant lighting during the remaining six months would not be as well utilised.

Based on current concept designs, staff estimated it would cost around $300k, Dave said. The option of solar power lighting was also investigated but it was costly to install.

Board chair Simon Telfer said the board was committed to the project but was reluctant “to blow the minor improvement budget” on this one project.

He asked if council would be willing instead to collaborate with the Skate Club on design, funding and delivery to “enable” the project to progress.

Watersports Facility Carpark

Improvements to the Watersports Facility carpark, including a new bridge over Stoney Creek and tracks to separate pedestrians from cars, have largely been completed but concerns have been raised about the ongoing use of the reserve, the safety of children using the adjacent playground, and the parking congestion.

The carpark is the closest access to the Wānaka Tree and inappropriate car, bus and campervan parking has been documented all over the reserve.

Board member Linda Joll said the reserve was “a very special piece of land”, and suggested closing the car park altogether. She believed the public should be consulted on the future of this reserve.

Others thought it was neither feasible nor practical to close the car park but that some minor landscaping modifications should solve some car parking issues in the short-term.

Almost $500K has already been spent on the project and board members were reluctant to spend more but agreed to reshaping the parking bund and strategically locating large rocks to define the parking area.

Further consideration of what was best for the reserve area should be considered in a future project, the board said.

Parks staff also advised a number of other projects have been completed, such as the track upgrades to the Albert Town River Trail and the Millennium Trail; that Wānaka Lakefront Development Stage 5 (from the Marina to the Yacht Club) should be complete by November 8, 2024, and a modified wildfire reserve closure protocol would be implemented again this summer.

Much of the Parks staff work over the next three years would focus on completing ongoing projects, such as the Mt Iron Reserve Management Plan and wildfire prevention plans, and also the Hāwea Playground project.

PHOTO: Wānaka App