Two sessions were held by Contact Energy in Cromwell earlier this week to garner community feedback on the concept plans — developed from public workshops facilitated by Shaping Our Future last year.
Speaking to The News at a drop-in session, Contact community relations specialist Neil Gillespie said the turnout had been incredible and he later confirmed the sessions had been attended by more than 130 people.
The project was part of Contact’s revised 2019-2024 landscape and visual amenity management plan for the Kawarau Arm of Lake Dunstan which include waterfront development between Butcher Drive and the Junction.
"We wanted to work with the community to put in place a plan for managing the transition of that environment out there in the Kawarau Arm," Mr Gillespie said.
Arrowtown-based landscape architects Blakely Wallace produced the concept plans and the sessions were the first chance to bring those plans back to the community.
It was important to recognise the water body was in transition back to an alluvial river — with banks and a bed of mobile sediment — which it was always expected to do following the construction of the Clyde Dam, Mr Gillespie said.
Shaping Our Future executive officer John Glover said it was important the community felt their feedback was being heard and the concept plans were proof of that.
People recognised change was needed on the waterfront and Mr Glover hoped the community could embrace the changes to ensure positive outcomes.
It was key local people could feel the waterfront was a place which was relevant to their needs, not just those of visitors to the area, he said.
