A limited council budget means the community is going to have to work smarter to achieve local community projects.

That was the outcome of a workshop session between the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board and Queenstown Lakes District Council’s Parks team at the Lake Wānaka Centre yesterday (September 26) morning.

Projects involving Wānaka’s Skatepark, the Snow Farm, and the Watersports Facility car park - among others - were discussed, as board members were asked to guide council parks staff on project priorities, budgets and achievable outcomes.

Board chair Simon Telfer said it was a productive session: “It’s awesome to be kept abreast of how projects are progressing and to be asked our opinions on setting funding priorities.”

However, with only $320K in the minor improvements budget for this work, “we’ve got to be savvy on how to spend that money to get the best outcome”, Simon said.

Overgrown vegetation blocking views of the lake from Ardmore Street has been cleared.

One way is to get community groups onboard with fund-raising and or helping with the delivery.

“Community collaboration means better bang for your buck,” he said, citing the development of the bike park on Lismore Park as a good example. 

Council collaboration with Bike Wānaka, which raised funds, worked on the design and delivered the project, proved “more efficient and the community got a better return on its investment”, Simon said.

At the workshop, parks manager Dave Winterburn and senior parks advisor Kat Banyard addressed two potential projects raised in multiple submissions to the council’s Long-Term Plan; public toilets at the Snow Farm and a council dog park.

The board asked for further information on the council’s toilet plan before it could assess the Snow Farm’s funding priority; and, with such a limited budget, the dog park was considered a low priority. 

Of greater priority was Wānaka Skate Club’s request for skate park lighting and the board requested council staff collaborate with the club to progress this project with shared funding, design and delivery.

Dave also advised that the Watersports Facility’s car park development project was largely complete with the removal last week of the old wooden bridge across Stoney Creek, There were concerns, however, about the car park’s functionality, particularly with bus and car congestion.

The board said practical improvements to the car park were desired but it should be achieved in two phases. 

An initial, inexpensive relocation of rocks should resolve some of the parking issues but a plan to better protect the reserve area, improve safety and provide for buses could be considered in a future project. 

The parks staff also updated the board on the project to remove vegetation along Ardmore Street which was obstructing public views of natural features, such as the lake and Bullock Creek. 

Simon said he’s received positive feedback about this ongoing project “to bring the lake to the town by removing the obstructing vegetation”, especially from those sitting outside pubs and cafes who can now see the lake “and they do feel more connected”.

Parks staff confirmed the intention was to finish before Christmas the clearing of vegetation alongside the lower Ardmore Street footpath and up behind the Dinosaur Park to provide clear views of Bullock Creek. 

PHOTOS: Wānaka App