A new active travel path has been proposed which would help connect Wānaka township to Three Parks. 

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi says it will fund and build the path, which would run from the existing pedestrian and cycling facilities at the Anderson Road roundabout to Three Parks roundabout and provide a connection to the new underpass at the Three Parks roundabout.

Deputy mayor Quentin Smith said it would be “a great addition” to the region’s active travel network.

The path’s route would cross Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) recreation reserve land and a small area of Department of Conservation land that is being vested to QLDC as part of the acquisition of part of Mt Iron and Little Mt Iron in May 2023.

The three-metre wide shared pathway could be used by pedestrians, cyclists, mobility devices and wheeled recreational devices.

Waka Kotahi is proposing to fund and build the pathway through its Low Cost Low Risk Programme and QLDC would be responsible for maintaining it.

The proposal will be considered by WUCCB at its meeting today (Thursday September 7).

The process to develop a Reserve Management Plan (RMP) for the Mount Iron Recreation Reserve has begun and will be completed in 2024, QLDC said, but a decision on the path is required ahead of the RMP being completed.