Traffic congestion at the intersection of Ballantyne and Golf Course Roads has been relieved, at last, with a new roundabout, but only temporarily.

Completed overnight (Wednesday to Thursday, March 6-7) in under seven hours, the simple painted circle was operational immediately. 

Yesterday morning, traffic was witnessed moving cautiously but continuously through the intersection with little congestion.

In a post on Facebook, Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) recognised that this intersection has been difficult to negotiate and thanked drivers for “bearing with us so far”.

“We know there has been some frustration since the new detour [along Ballantyne Road to avoid the construction of the SH6/Mt Iron roundabout] was introduced on 19 February and we appreciate it can be challenging during these construction projects…,” it said.

However, despite the long-awaited introduction of this mountable roundabout, council has stated the painted circle will be only temporary and plans to remove it on May 17, 2024.

The announcement of the roundabout received positive public feedback but several people questioned why it was temporary. 

Queenstown Lakes district councillor and Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board member Lyal Cocks said it was wonderful to see the roundabout operational and he thanked the staff and contractors for getting the work done. 

He’s keen to discuss with council staff if it can be retained until the proposed permanent roundabout is constructed. 

“Considering how well it’s working it would be disappointing to see this roundabout removed in a matter of weeks,” he said.

QLDC has wanted a roundabout at this intersection and various plans for a permanent roundabout have been drawn up and either discarded or postponed for years.

The latest iteration, a bean shaped roundabout including a fourth leg into Three Parks, was made public two years ago but wasn’t funded. In 2021 the council’s Low Cost Low Risk programme included a budget line of $400,000 for the Ballantyne Road/Golf Course Road intersection.

The painted roundabout and corresponding signage cost an estimated $2k-$5k. Queenstown’s CBD has several painted roundabouts which have been operational for years.

PHOTO: Wānaka App