The fifth and final stage of the Wānaka Lakefront’s multimillion-dollar facelift will be completed in October, the council says.
Work is set to begin on stage five of the Wānaka Lakefront Development Plan (WLDP) this month, which the Queenstown Lakes District Council said will improve overall safety on the existing active travel connections between Wānaka’s marina and yacht club.
QLDC community services general manager Ken Bailey said stage five would complement already completed stages of the WLDP which had worked to improve the access, ecology, land use and facilities available by the Ardmore Rd stretch of lakefront.
"Stage five will feature an extension to the 2.5m shared pathway Te Ara Wānaka that weaves along the lakefront, with the new sections running alongside the bank between Lakeside Rd and the marina and yacht club, before connecting with the start of the Eely Point lakeside trail," he said.
"Given this location plays host to plenty of vehicles, boats, and trailers throughout the year, the formalised pathway will keep people safe when moving through the area, while helping to maintain the existing space for recreational lake users too."
Work on stage five was expected to begin in mid-July and be completed by the end of October.
Once finished, the project will also deliver three additional parking spaces for those using the marina, while safeguarding the boat and trailer parking area nearby.
Pedestrians will be diverted along Lakeside Rd while construction is under way, and controlled vehicle access will be maintained for marina, yacht club and boat ramp users. Priority will be given to emergency services.
Despite the boat ramp at the marina remaining open, boaties and other recreational users of Lake Wānaka are recommended to avoid any potential delays by using Eely Point, Waterfall Creek or Glendhu Bay to launch their vessels while work is under way.
Boats parked within the construction site have been temporarily moved to Eely Point Reserve, and will stay there until work on stage five is complete.
Mr Bailey said staff had worked with stakeholders of the project after taking initial feedback on stage five in November 2021, which had helped to inform the final plan and new sections of Te Ara Wānaka to be built.
The contract for stage five of the Wānaka Lakefront Development Plan was awarded to Fulton Hogan.
The total cost of the project is estimated at $1.5million.
