The ideas will be presented to the newly-appointed Banks Peninsula Community Board after the October local body elections.
About 70 residents supported the suggestions which aim to boost Lyttelton’s economy when a new cruise ship berth opens in October next year.
The possible initiatives include more markets, information booklets for visitors on arrival, walking tours, showcasing the area’s Maori and Antarctic connections and bus tours around the harbour.
There was also discussion about a cruise ship levy to go towards fundraising for the Lyttelton Museum.
Lyttelton Port Company’s new berth will allow cruise ships which cater for more than 5000 passengers and 2000 staff to dock.
Concerns have been raised over the possibility cruise ship tourists will not stay in the port town and will instead go directly into the central city.
But Lyttelton Information Centre manager Ruth Targus said she hopes the feedback will be acted on by the new community board before the next cruise ship season begins.
“Obviously everybody goes through Akaroa because they wait for a boat, whereas in Lyttelton there’s buses so they don’t. We don’t want to make it crazy we just want to make sure we’re not missing out.”
SuperValue owner Rob de Thier said he is glad the conversation has started now so a good outcome can be achieved for Lyttelton by next October.
Mr de Thier was the Lyttelton Harbour Business Association chairman until last week and said many other businesses are “excited” to gain momentum from more visitors.
“There have been no negative conversations about it within the association,” he said.
At the consultation meeting, a list of concerns was also discussed, which will be presented to the community board.
They included potential environmental issues, such as noise, pollution, stirring of sediment, fuel-use, erosion, waste and wind resistance.
Other concerns include congestion, pressure on businesses, disruption to the community, a need for wi-fi, a lack of signage and stretched toilet facilities,.
Mrs Targus hopes the information provided will help people or groups to be delegated to roles which would help to minimise these concerns.
Meanwhile, Akaroa Ratepayers and Residents Association chairman Harry Stronach said Akaroa is as “unready for this year’s cruise ship season as it was last year.”
He said co-operation from the city council and other bodies involved is still lacking.
“They have gone very quiet lately,” he said.
