The Wanaka Community Board has rejected offers from a group of Kennedy St residents to assist with the development of a public walkway to the Stone St reserve in return for preserving vehicle access to the rear of the properties.
The board resolved to form a 1.5m-wide walkway with three flights of 12 steps, costing $19,115 plus fencing costs.
The residents favoured option 2, a 3m-wide zig-zag track, costing $19,420 plus fencing costs.
It would also require some land transfers.
They had argued option 2 would be better for cycle and pushchair access, and were prepared to help with landscaping and design costs.
A report by project manager Mark Symons said some residents had been using the Stone St reserve to gain vehicle access to the rear of their properties.
He noted they wanted a solution that suited all users.
A right-of-way easement would need to go through the full notification process and could take about six months to achieve.
There would be costs associated with obtaining a survey, approval and registration, he said.
Mr Symons also pointed out Lakes Property Services was drafting a policy under which the council would charge for this type of easement because it increased the value of the residential property and reduced the value of the council land.
The basis of the policy would be that a right-of-way access would be approved on reserve only when there was absolutely no other option.
Option 1 was adopted unanimously.
