The residents of Makarora Valley have set their sights on 2021 as being a year for community inclusion.  

"We will be setting achievable goals, and we want to encourage the community to get together and feel supported," Danyel Watson, chairperson of the incorporated community group, said.

The first task for 2021 will be to contact organisations for funding for a new defibrillator. 

Danyel said that the plan is to install one outside the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) Kiwi Street building at the west end of the valley so that it will be accessible to everyone.

The second goal is to build a walkway around the lake end village so that locals can walk around the village area without being on the road or people's properties. This initiative was requested by members of the village and has the backing of Makarora Valley Community Incorporated (MVCI), which is already in communication with the QLDC regarding regulation.

Makarora residents at a mid-winter Christmas dinner. PHOTO: Supplied

MVCI’s big goal for 2021 is upgrading the Wharf Creek area at the head of the lake.

The committee hopes to make the area more accessible for families, picnicking, fishing and launching a boat. The current track leading to the boat ramp is very steep and rutted, and there is no picnic area and limited parking.

The group hopes the area will be developed to include a picnic BBQ area, a safe area for families to relax - out of the way of vehicles coming in and out, good parking and ample room for trailers to turn around.  

"We're imagining a smaller version of Beacon Point Area at Lake Wanaka," Danyel said.

She said the area would essentially be used by the Makarora community residents and people from the Wanaka area, "but travellers moving through the area would be able to use it as well."  

A working bee was held in late November to tidy the area, remove debris and pick up rubbish. MVCI has applied to Land Information NZ (LINZ) to occupy the area as LINZ, the Department of Conservation, and the NZ Transport Authority all own sections of the land.

"Now we can look at fundraising ideas," Danyel said.

The community has the resources to clear, spray and clear rubbish, driftwood and other debri, but Danyel said funding is needed to help pay for the digger work required to fix the track and work associated with re-concreting the boat ramp.

MVCI is also engaged in the ongoing discussion about cell phone service to the area which is "reliant on the fibre cable from Hāwea to Haast, but there is an emerging discussion about how well-placed the community is to respond to a natural disaster”.  

"I think it would be beneficial to think about how we can get prepared and engage with the Civil Defence," Danyel said.   

She said the Ohau community coped well with the fires that swept through that region last year because it had a good fire plan and the community actioned it.  

"Potentially Makarora is at risk of a big fire or major flood, how would we react? Who would need assistance?"  

Danyel said that MVCI is excited by the "great projects in the pipeline" and is looking forward to 2021 being a more positive year than 2020.