A draft initiative to develop a town centre plan for Wānaka could be vastly improved, according to an active transport advocate.

The Heart of Wānaka steering group members presented an update on progress to the Wānaka Community Board earlier this month, proposing a vision to optimise ‘the lakeside heart of Wānaka' as a thriving, welcoming community centre.

“Any town centre needs people at its heart but this is currently absent from the plan,” Active Transport Wānaka and Bike Wānaka member Simon Telfer told the Wānaka App.  

“Unfortunately there is no reference to families, children, the elderly or customers... healthy streets and great urban design should be seen through the eyes of children.”

The steering group plans to present two plans: a short term plan with items that could be completed within five years, and a longer term plan that contains more “aspirational” ideas.

Read more: Progress on plan to revitalise Wānaka CBD

Simon said the five year plan needs to prioritise biking and walking, “[with] more cycleways into and through the town centre and more shared spaces for people on foot”.

“Increasing vehicle free options for accessing shops and businesses should be a short term priority,” he said.

The Heart of Wānaka group has prepared draft ideas for the first round of public consultation, including seven key principles to guide development and funding. 

Simon said while the plan is a “much needed piece of work” he would like to know more about how it would be funded.

Securing funding from the Queenstown Lakes District Council would require “clear alignment” with the council's Climate and Biodiversity Plan, Spatial Plan, Vision 2050 and the previous Wānaka Town Centre Masterplan from 2020, he said, adding it would be useful for the community to see evidence of this work.

Public drop-in sessions for Heart of Wānaka will be held at the Lake Wānaka Centre this Wednesday August 24 (12-2pm and 5-7pm) and Friday August 26 (10-12 and 4-6pm)

Find updates and contact information for the project here.