The $47.3 million Wanaka transportation and parking strategy was adopted by the Queenstown Lakes District Council on Friday, after 18 months of consultation and study.
The object of the strategy was to create a highly attractive town that was easy to navigate.
Improvements to the urban town centre and lakefront were sought, as were reductions in traffic along Ardmore St and Lakeside Rd.
The strategy found that in 2026 there would be, on average, 23,712 people in Wanaka each day. The peak daytime population would be 58,236.
Transportation planning manager Dennis Mander's report said Wanaka was not connected well, and did not have a comprehensive public transport system.
However, the town was relatively compact, and well suited to walking and cycling. About 12% of journeys were made that way, compared with a national average of 7%.
Doing nothing about the traffic network would lead to significant congestion and access problems, Mr Mander said.
Under the strategy, Riverbank Rd will join State Highway 6, State Highway 84 and Cardrona Valley Rd as part of the primary roading network.
This will probably happen between 2012 and 2016. An upgrade of Orchard Rd is likely after 2016.
The secondary road network is Brownston St, a new north-eastern link connecting Ballantyne Rd, Hedditch St and Lismore St, a new road between SH84 and Cardrona Rd, and a new road connecting Studholme Rd with Mt Aspiring Rd.
This will be built between 2012 and 2016.
A controversial suggestion that a road go through the Wanaka golf course was rejected late last year and is not in the final strategy.
By 2026, 90 short-term, 75 medium-term and 100 long-term car parks will be created on the lakefront.
More land needs to be acquired for car parks and areas near Ballantyne Rd are needed for a long-term coach park.
Cycle parks are required in Ardmore and Helwick Sts.
