Kawarau Riverside Reserve Management Plan

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Have your say on a plan to manage the Kawarau Riverside Reserves

Queenstown Lakes District Council has developed a draft Reserve Management Plan (RMP) for a collection of land parcels located alongside the Kawarau River in Frankton, jointly referred to as the Kawarau Riverside Reserves.

We want to know if we have got it right and if you support a shared vision for how these open spaces can be enjoyed by all.

What you can expect to see in the plan:

• The vision for the reserves: This reflects the communities' long-term aspirations for the site.

• The objectives for the reserves: These represent the key goals of the RMP and provide the framework for managing the reserves.

• The policies that help to achieve the objectives: These guide all actions, decisions and behaviours within the reserves and are grouped under nine topics: community, recreation, infrastructure, access, ecology, community events, services, encroachment, and smoke and vape free.

>>Read the draft Kawarau Riverside Reserve Management Plan (available 26 January)


Background

The Parks team have developed a Reserve Management Plan (RMP) for a collection of land parcels located alongside the Kawarau River (east of the bridges in Frankton) called the Kawarau Riverside Reserves.

This area is popular with locals and visitors walking and biking the Twin Rivers Trail, part of the Queenstown Trail ‘Great Ride’ network, which connects the reserves while hugging one of New Zealand’s most iconic and picturesque rivers. Also included in the scope of the plan is the Ivan Young Zoological Reserve, which used to house the Zoological Gardens.

In February-March 2024 we engaged with the community to gather early insights and aspirations for how they’d like to use and enjoy these reserves to inform the draft plan.

Feedback from early engagement showed strong support for biodiversity and ecological enhancement, retaining the informal and natural character of the reserves, and improved access to the river. The resulting draft plan is guided by this feedback and aims to provide a shared vision for these reserves that supports the community and those that visit.

>>View the feedback gathered from the early insights engagement (120 comments pinned to ideas map from 54 submitters)


Map of the Kawarau Riverside Reserves


How to have your say

The formal submission period will be for two months from 26 January 2026. This is a chance for the community to tell us what we got right and what you'd like to change in the draft RMP. All submissions will then be considered by the Parks team to form the final RMP.

Submissions on the draft Kawarau Riverside Reserve RMP can be provided from Monday 26 January to Sunday 29 March 2026 on the submission for at the bottom of the page.

Submitters also have the option to speak to their submission at a public hearing in April.

Click here for guidance on how to write a submission and more FAQs to support consultation and engagement


Opportunities to find out more

We’re hosting community drop-in sessions for anyone interested in learning more about the draft plan. All are welcome to come along and chat to the Parks team when you are out and about enjoying the Kawarau Riverside reserves.

Join an onsite drop-in session:

When: Saturday 14 February 10.00am-12.00pm and Thursday 19 February 4.00pm-6.00pm

Where: On the Twin Rivers Trail at the end of Riverside Road in Frankton


What is a Reserve Management Plan?

A Reserve Management Plan sets out how Council intends to provide for and ensure the use, enjoyment, maintenance, protection, and preservation of a reserve. It details all the rules and regulations to act as a guide for Council officers in making both day-to-day and long-term decisions about how reserves and open spaces under its control are to be used, managed, or developed.


Next steps

Once public consultation has closed and public hearings have been heard, all submissions will be considered by the hearing panel and used to make final changes to the Reserve Management Plan for Kawarau Riverside Reserve. This plan will then be presented to Community &Environment Committee in June for recommendation and to Full Council to consider adopting the plan in August 2026.


Got a question?

If you have a question, please submit it on the tool below and we'll get it answered as soon as possible. All questions and answers will be published for everyone to see.

Have your say on a plan to manage the Kawarau Riverside Reserves

Queenstown Lakes District Council has developed a draft Reserve Management Plan (RMP) for a collection of land parcels located alongside the Kawarau River in Frankton, jointly referred to as the Kawarau Riverside Reserves.

We want to know if we have got it right and if you support a shared vision for how these open spaces can be enjoyed by all.

What you can expect to see in the plan:

• The vision for the reserves: This reflects the communities' long-term aspirations for the site.

• The objectives for the reserves: These represent the key goals of the RMP and provide the framework for managing the reserves.

• The policies that help to achieve the objectives: These guide all actions, decisions and behaviours within the reserves and are grouped under nine topics: community, recreation, infrastructure, access, ecology, community events, services, encroachment, and smoke and vape free.

>>Read the draft Kawarau Riverside Reserve Management Plan (available 26 January)


Background

The Parks team have developed a Reserve Management Plan (RMP) for a collection of land parcels located alongside the Kawarau River (east of the bridges in Frankton) called the Kawarau Riverside Reserves.

This area is popular with locals and visitors walking and biking the Twin Rivers Trail, part of the Queenstown Trail ‘Great Ride’ network, which connects the reserves while hugging one of New Zealand’s most iconic and picturesque rivers. Also included in the scope of the plan is the Ivan Young Zoological Reserve, which used to house the Zoological Gardens.

In February-March 2024 we engaged with the community to gather early insights and aspirations for how they’d like to use and enjoy these reserves to inform the draft plan.

Feedback from early engagement showed strong support for biodiversity and ecological enhancement, retaining the informal and natural character of the reserves, and improved access to the river. The resulting draft plan is guided by this feedback and aims to provide a shared vision for these reserves that supports the community and those that visit.

>>View the feedback gathered from the early insights engagement (120 comments pinned to ideas map from 54 submitters)


Map of the Kawarau Riverside Reserves


How to have your say

The formal submission period will be for two months from 26 January 2026. This is a chance for the community to tell us what we got right and what you'd like to change in the draft RMP. All submissions will then be considered by the Parks team to form the final RMP.

Submissions on the draft Kawarau Riverside Reserve RMP can be provided from Monday 26 January to Sunday 29 March 2026 on the submission for at the bottom of the page.

Submitters also have the option to speak to their submission at a public hearing in April.

Click here for guidance on how to write a submission and more FAQs to support consultation and engagement


Opportunities to find out more

We’re hosting community drop-in sessions for anyone interested in learning more about the draft plan. All are welcome to come along and chat to the Parks team when you are out and about enjoying the Kawarau Riverside reserves.

Join an onsite drop-in session:

When: Saturday 14 February 10.00am-12.00pm and Thursday 19 February 4.00pm-6.00pm

Where: On the Twin Rivers Trail at the end of Riverside Road in Frankton


What is a Reserve Management Plan?

A Reserve Management Plan sets out how Council intends to provide for and ensure the use, enjoyment, maintenance, protection, and preservation of a reserve. It details all the rules and regulations to act as a guide for Council officers in making both day-to-day and long-term decisions about how reserves and open spaces under its control are to be used, managed, or developed.


Next steps

Once public consultation has closed and public hearings have been heard, all submissions will be considered by the hearing panel and used to make final changes to the Reserve Management Plan for Kawarau Riverside Reserve. This plan will then be presented to Community &Environment Committee in June for recommendation and to Full Council to consider adopting the plan in August 2026.


Got a question?

If you have a question, please submit it on the tool below and we'll get it answered as soon as possible. All questions and answers will be published for everyone to see.

Q&A

Do you have a question about the Kawarau Riverside Reserves Management Plan?  Ask it here and we'll get it answered as soon as possible. 

All questions and answers will be published here for everyone to see.

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  • Share Have you made sure that your selection of trees that you will plant are appropriate to home owners as well as your own limited concept of appropriate? An example of that is, that if you are planting trees on the Northern boundaries of home owners, select trees that grow to a maximum of 15 meters high so that solar panels will not be deprived of sunlight during the mons of low sun angle in the sky. on Facebook Share Have you made sure that your selection of trees that you will plant are appropriate to home owners as well as your own limited concept of appropriate? An example of that is, that if you are planting trees on the Northern boundaries of home owners, select trees that grow to a maximum of 15 meters high so that solar panels will not be deprived of sunlight during the mons of low sun angle in the sky. on Twitter Share Have you made sure that your selection of trees that you will plant are appropriate to home owners as well as your own limited concept of appropriate? An example of that is, that if you are planting trees on the Northern boundaries of home owners, select trees that grow to a maximum of 15 meters high so that solar panels will not be deprived of sunlight during the mons of low sun angle in the sky. on Linkedin Email Have you made sure that your selection of trees that you will plant are appropriate to home owners as well as your own limited concept of appropriate? An example of that is, that if you are planting trees on the Northern boundaries of home owners, select trees that grow to a maximum of 15 meters high so that solar panels will not be deprived of sunlight during the mons of low sun angle in the sky. link

    Have you made sure that your selection of trees that you will plant are appropriate to home owners as well as your own limited concept of appropriate? An example of that is, that if you are planting trees on the Northern boundaries of home owners, select trees that grow to a maximum of 15 meters high so that solar panels will not be deprived of sunlight during the mons of low sun angle in the sky.

    Loz asked over 1 year ago

    Hi Loz, thanks for your query. 

    A Reserve Management Plan will set out how Council intends to provide for and ensure the use, enjoyment, maintenance, protection and preservation of these reserves. Any new planting within the reserves will follow QLDC’s Tree Policy 2024 to plant suitable species in appropriate places. 

  • Share I just read an article in the Herald about 5 restaurants closing. Instead of blaming Covid and overseas tourists, I blame your council. There’s something that Queenstown council needs to get right. I am a member of a motorhome caravan club with over 100,000 members. Most have a lot of spending power and delight in visiting restaurants and cafes in different parts of NZ. Some towns are very user friendly for motorhomers and provide good spaces to park or overnight staying. Queenstown has a reputation among the motorhoming community of not being that friendly towards our community and we like many avoid going there. So our dollar is not spent there. Maybe Queenstown Council has to rethink their policy towards this ever growing community of us over 65s. Many towns are friendly and reap the benefits. Regards Don on Facebook Share I just read an article in the Herald about 5 restaurants closing. Instead of blaming Covid and overseas tourists, I blame your council. There’s something that Queenstown council needs to get right. I am a member of a motorhome caravan club with over 100,000 members. Most have a lot of spending power and delight in visiting restaurants and cafes in different parts of NZ. Some towns are very user friendly for motorhomers and provide good spaces to park or overnight staying. Queenstown has a reputation among the motorhoming community of not being that friendly towards our community and we like many avoid going there. So our dollar is not spent there. Maybe Queenstown Council has to rethink their policy towards this ever growing community of us over 65s. Many towns are friendly and reap the benefits. Regards Don on Twitter Share I just read an article in the Herald about 5 restaurants closing. Instead of blaming Covid and overseas tourists, I blame your council. There’s something that Queenstown council needs to get right. I am a member of a motorhome caravan club with over 100,000 members. Most have a lot of spending power and delight in visiting restaurants and cafes in different parts of NZ. Some towns are very user friendly for motorhomers and provide good spaces to park or overnight staying. Queenstown has a reputation among the motorhoming community of not being that friendly towards our community and we like many avoid going there. So our dollar is not spent there. Maybe Queenstown Council has to rethink their policy towards this ever growing community of us over 65s. Many towns are friendly and reap the benefits. Regards Don on Linkedin Email I just read an article in the Herald about 5 restaurants closing. Instead of blaming Covid and overseas tourists, I blame your council. There’s something that Queenstown council needs to get right. I am a member of a motorhome caravan club with over 100,000 members. Most have a lot of spending power and delight in visiting restaurants and cafes in different parts of NZ. Some towns are very user friendly for motorhomers and provide good spaces to park or overnight staying. Queenstown has a reputation among the motorhoming community of not being that friendly towards our community and we like many avoid going there. So our dollar is not spent there. Maybe Queenstown Council has to rethink their policy towards this ever growing community of us over 65s. Many towns are friendly and reap the benefits. Regards Don link

    I just read an article in the Herald about 5 restaurants closing. Instead of blaming Covid and overseas tourists, I blame your council. There’s something that Queenstown council needs to get right. I am a member of a motorhome caravan club with over 100,000 members. Most have a lot of spending power and delight in visiting restaurants and cafes in different parts of NZ. Some towns are very user friendly for motorhomers and provide good spaces to park or overnight staying. Queenstown has a reputation among the motorhoming community of not being that friendly towards our community and we like many avoid going there. So our dollar is not spent there. Maybe Queenstown Council has to rethink their policy towards this ever growing community of us over 65s. Many towns are friendly and reap the benefits. Regards Don

    Don Judkins asked almost 2 years ago

    Hi Don, thanks for your query.

    In regard to the draft RMP consultation, the Riverside Road Reserves are recreation reserves and will be retained as open space for the community to continue to use and enjoy. 

    To address your comments on camping in the district, Queenstown Lakes has always been an extremely popular destination for campers, both domestic and international. Our visitors camp at a variety of different sites, ranging from fully serviced holiday parks to Department of Conservation (DOC) campsites. The CamperMate App provides a directory of all camp sites in the district, including dedicated responsible camping sites.

    For parking, there are 33 parks reserved for Camper Vans in the Boundary Street Car Park, close to Queenstown CBD. 

    For further information about Camping in the Queenstown Lakes please visit https://www.qldc.govt.nz/responsible-camping.

  • Share Is there any need for a development on this? Why can’t we keep some green and places for whānau to have picnics near the Kawarau river and enough space for the children to run around and still be supervised. The only suggestion I would have other then to keep it green, is creating a playground around the needs of children disabilities especially disabilities that are physical and whilst there are many playgrounds, not many are accessible for children with disabilities on Facebook Share Is there any need for a development on this? Why can’t we keep some green and places for whānau to have picnics near the Kawarau river and enough space for the children to run around and still be supervised. The only suggestion I would have other then to keep it green, is creating a playground around the needs of children disabilities especially disabilities that are physical and whilst there are many playgrounds, not many are accessible for children with disabilities on Twitter Share Is there any need for a development on this? Why can’t we keep some green and places for whānau to have picnics near the Kawarau river and enough space for the children to run around and still be supervised. The only suggestion I would have other then to keep it green, is creating a playground around the needs of children disabilities especially disabilities that are physical and whilst there are many playgrounds, not many are accessible for children with disabilities on Linkedin Email Is there any need for a development on this? Why can’t we keep some green and places for whānau to have picnics near the Kawarau river and enough space for the children to run around and still be supervised. The only suggestion I would have other then to keep it green, is creating a playground around the needs of children disabilities especially disabilities that are physical and whilst there are many playgrounds, not many are accessible for children with disabilities link

    Is there any need for a development on this? Why can’t we keep some green and places for whānau to have picnics near the Kawarau river and enough space for the children to run around and still be supervised. The only suggestion I would have other then to keep it green, is creating a playground around the needs of children disabilities especially disabilities that are physical and whilst there are many playgrounds, not many are accessible for children with disabilities

    Jess Oc asked almost 2 years ago

    Kia ora Jess, thanks for your query and feedback. 

    Just wanted to let you know that development is not the intent when creating a Reserve Management Plan (RMP) for an area. RMPs exist to enable the land to be enjoyed, managed and used in a way that best meets the needs of the community and those that visit. So, if people think an area is perfect the way it is, we’d encourage them to tell us. 

    This early insights engagement helps QLDC understand the community’s preferences and desired mix of use and protection for these reserves, as well as setting in place policy to guide the day-to-day management of the area. 

Page last updated: 19 Jan 2026, 02:34 PM