Feedback on stage five of Wānaka’s Lakefront Development Plan (LDP) reveals most submitters support the council’s basic concept outlined in the draft plans to cater for pedestrians, cyclists and native planting, but not all are happy with sharing pathways and restricted parking.

Stage five stretches from the Lakeside Road entrance to the marina through to the far side of the Wānaka Yacht Club and includes footpaths, toilets and parking for boat trailers, cars and yachts.

At present many walkers and cyclists ride through the unformed car parking area, dodging traffic and other users. The proposed plan for stage five aims to formalise this area providing separation and improved safety for all users.

Following a short consultation period, 18 Wānaka residents made submissions to the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) and several questioned the practicality and safety of the council’s preferred shared path option.

The stage 5 draft plan doesn’t provide enough space for boat trailer parking, one submitter said. IMAGE: Supplied

They said conflicts between faster moving cyclists and strolling pedestrians were already occurring on the LDP’s shared path above the marina and a long-term solution should be considered with separate paths for walkers and cyclists.

“Shared paths are a misnomer; they should be called unworkable compromises,” Bruce Copeland said in his submission. “Let’s not continue to double down on this mistake….With a climate emergency and more people choosing to walk and ride bikes we need proper facilities to encourage these modes.”

Several submitters, including Bike Wānaka, Wao Wanaka and Active Transport Wānaka, proposed that a raised connection between the end of stage three and the start of stage five at the entrance to the marina carpark would improve safety. They suggested vehicles entering and leaving the car park should give way to the users of the shared path. 

Active Transport Wānaka’s Simon Telfer said bike count data indicated this route along the lake was the busiest in Wānaka.

He also said the entire length of stage five’s shared pathway should be three metres wide and sealed from start to finish, including the existing gravel spur that climbs up to Lakeside Road.

Several submissions also raised a potential conflict between users of the shared path and the existing toilet block. 

“The design needs to ensure there is reduced conflict between people on bikes and people using the toilet block,” Jennie Taylor said in her submission on behalf of Bike Wānaka’s 800  members. 

While most submissions focused on active transport, Tim Cuthbertson of Lake Wānaka Cruises questioned what consideration had been given to the ongoing issue of parking for commercial operators that operate from this area.

The 12 car parks at the marina are restricted to four hours.

“Many operators have trips that last longer than four hours, [including] Wānaka Cruises, Eco Wānaka, Wānaka Water Taxi, Fish & Cruise and Adventure Wānaka. Parking for support vehicles is not available near the marina,” he said. 

Resident Chris Alderson also said trailer parking should be the priority for the marina area: “There is currently not enough trailer parking and…this needs to be reconsidered as the prime use of this area is to service the ramps and marina.”

Other issues raised included a lack of cycle parking and seating; and that, given stage five’s limited area between the lakeside and an upper terrace, pathways and parking should be a higher priority than vegetation.