The next Queenstown Lakes District Council could consider consolidating all camp facilities at the Hawea side of the Albert Town Recreation Reserve and retaining the Clutha/Mata-Au side as a day use area only.
At an extraordinary meeting of the QLDC in Queenstown yesterday, the council adopted the Albert Town Recreation Management Plan, which would see the continued operation of a camping ground at the reserve.
The reserve is described as a "low key camping ground" providing "basic facilities for budget travellers and those who prefer a simple camping holiday".
However, the Clutha/Mata-Au site was "highly visible" from the State Highway and adjoining residential area.
"Consideration should be given to the relocation of camping to the Hawea side only prior to any significant redevelopment of the camp", the plan said.
Cr John S. Wilson, of Wanaka, said from his reading of the plan, if the future council was looking to expand camping facilities "we would be recommending not making any further investment in the current one but [instead] investing across the road".
Community services general manager Paul Wilson said it was something which could be "considered at the time".
"It's a marker for a future council to say if you're going to do this, let's have a think about what the view on camping is at the time.
"[The Hawea side] is a much better location for a camping ground.
It's very sheltered and you've got the Hawea River ... which is not carrying as much water as the Clutha."
The plan also provided for Wanaka Rodeo Inc to take out a lease for no more than 33 years on part of the reserve to establish an arena for rodeo and equestrian-related activities and events, previously operated on privately-owned farm land.
The plan would also see the continued operation and development of a kayak slalom course on the Hawea River.
However, the Hawea jet-sprint course, which had not been used for many years and was "not considered compatible with the quiet values ofthe reserve and adjacent camping areas" would be discontinued.
Instead, the plan enabled Central Otago Whitewater Inc to advance planning and feasibility studies for creating a "safe kayak training and kayak polo venue" near the jet sprint course.
