The need to balance long-term community goals with short-term economic stimulation was front and centre at the first Wanaka Community Board (WCB) meeting since COVID-19 hit our shores. 

At Thursday’s meeting (May 15) board members faced that question in the very first item of the agenda, when they had to decide whether or not to grant a lakeside reserve license to Lakeland Adventures on the Roys Bay land where the log cabin, pinned for removal, currently sits. 

Deputy mayor Calum MacLeod and WCB deputy chair Ed Taylor stressed the importance of supporting companies during the economic fallout from COVID-19. 

“I think especially in these times as we rebuild Wanaka...I think having a vibrant lakefront is important,” Ed said. “We need to be doing all we can to help these businesses.”

Lakeland Adventures sought approval for a branded eight to nine metre trailer on-site (removed in the evenings), a towing vehicle and the ability to rent lake equipment and sell guided commercial tours from the site.

The applicant asked for a branded eight to nine metre trailer on-site (removed in the evenings), a towing vehicle and the ability to rent lake equipment and sell guided commercial tours from the site.

A representative for Lakeland Adventures said the family run business is “wanting to continue their operations in the face of economic turmoil, especially in the tourism sector.”

“A recent decision for the log cabin to be removed from the lakefront has also created additional uncertainty to the business, and therefore a new beach license had to be applied for…”

The 20-year lease of the foreshore site on which the log cabin stands expired in 2017 and has been on a monthly tenancy since then, to enable the implementation of the Lakefront Development Plan.

Ed Taylor said it was important to have a “vibrant” lakefront.

“With the current tourism market there is going to be a need to be lenient to businesses such as this to ensure they are able to keep operating into the future as they have done safely for the last 30 years,” the representative said. 

Community board members Niamh Shaw, Jude Battson and Quentin Smith each had concerns with the proposal, ranging from safety to signage and enjoyment of the Roys Bay site by members of the public. 

“One of my big concerns is the scope and scale of activity which Lakeland Adventures is proposing, which I feel is significantly more than what actually currently happens,” Niamh said. 

Jude and Quentin both questioned the branded trailer, with Jude saying she considered it a building and Quentin questioning the extensive signage “which I would suggest up to 20 times greater than other beach licenses and it does really represent billboarding on council reserves…”

Calum noted Lakeland Adventures' long track record of responsible business at the site. 

In the end, Lakelands’ proposal was passed in a tight four to three. 

A series of amendments were made to the approval including requiring further input from the council and WCB chair on the trailer design and branding, which was to be reduced. 

PHOTOS: Wanaka App