Blue Green Network Plan

Help shape the future of our open spaces

Queenstown Lakes District is world-renowned for its stunning landscapes — from shimmering lakes and winding rivers to scenic reserves and vibrant parks. But our commitment to protecting and enhancing these natural treasures and how they’re connected must grow as our communities do too.

That’s where our Blue Green Network Plan comes in.

About the Blue Green Network Plan

Our draft Blue Green Network Plan maps out the parks, open spaces, trails, and waterways across Priority Development Areas and settlements in the Queenstown Lakes District — and identifies what should be protected, enhanced, and better connected as we grow.

This plan is about more than just green spaces. It’s about creating well-designed neighbourhoods, resilient communities, and a healthier environment for everyone.

Why a Blue Green Network Plan matters

By identifying and weaving together our blue (waterways), green (natural spaces), and community (parks, trails, civic spaces) networks in one single place, we’ve created a practical resource that both Council and developers can use to understand what existing and future residents may benefit from in their local areas. That information can then be used to inform future development.

Other benefits of the Blue Green Network Plan include:

• Enhance biodiversity and protect native habitats
• Improve water quality and support Te Mana o te Wai
• Build resilience to climate change and natural hazards
• Create more spaces for recreation, sport, and social connection
• Support mental and physical wellbeing
• Foster education and environmental stewardship
• Ensure accessibility and inclusivity for all
• Promote sustainable development
• Enhance the visitor experience and local pride

Principles behind the Plan

Our Blue Green Network Plan is built on five key principles:

• Mana o te Wai – Prioritising water as the foundation of healthy environments and communities
• Woven into the context – Tailoring solutions to each place while contributing to the wider network
• Coexistence of nature and people – Designing spaces that benefit both ecosystems and everyday life
• Connecting people and place – Strengthening access and belonging through integrated networks
• Fit for purpose and well serviced – Ensuring open spaces are well-located, well-designed, and multifunctional

Where the Plan applies

Our Blue Green Network Plan identifies blue, green, and community features in both current and future development areas across the district, including:

• Settlements: Arrowtown, Kingston, Glenorchy, Cardrona, Luggate, Hāwea, Makarora
• Priority Development Areas: Town Centre to Frankton Corridor, Five Mile Urban Corridor, Te Pūtahi Ladies Mile, Te Tapuae Southern Corridor, Southern Wānaka, and Wānaka Town Centre – Three Parks Corridor

Documents

Draft Blue Green Network Plan

• Draft QLDC Blue Green Network Plan

Local Blue Green Plans

These are all included in the Draft Blue Green Network Plan document but can be viewed individually below.

• Albert Town
• Arrowtown
• Arthurs Point
• Cardrona
• Fernhill-Sunshine Bay
• Frankton
• Glenorchy
• Kelvin Heights
• Kingston
• Lake Hāwea
• Luggate
• Makarora
• Queenstown-Queenstown Hill
• Te Pūtahi-Eastern Corridor
• Te Tapuae Southern Corridor
• Wānaka North
• Wānaka West-Wānaka South
• Wānaka-Three Parks

Get involved and speak up for the spaces that speak to you

This is your backyard, so branch out and be heard. We would like to know what you think about the Blue Green Network Plan to ensure it reflects what matters most to you — the places you love, the spaces you use, and the values you want to see protected, enhanced, or introduced.

We would like to know:

• If you support the Blue Green Network Plan
• Whether we’ve identified the right areas to protect or enhance
• And what’s important in your neighbourhood to you or others you care about, that may be missing from the Plan

We’ll be taking feedback on the Blue Green Network Plan from Monday 22 September until Sunday 26 October 2025.

What happens next?

Once feedback closes, we’ll review all submissions before presenting the final plan for adoption at a date to be confirmed.

The Blue Green Network Plan is designed to evolve — as our communities grow, so too will the opportunities to shape and refine the network.