Stage Three - Wānaka Lakefront Development Plan

Wānaka's lakefront is one of the community's most treasured assets, integral to both local and visitor experiences in the town and an ever-increasingly popular place to be. Following the completion of the Wānaka Lakefront Reserves Management Plan (2014), a three month consultation period was held in 2016 and produced the Wānaka Lakefront Development Plan.

The big moves

The community feedback shaped four 'big moves'. Every stage and project within the Lakefront Development Plan will be designed with the four big moves in mind:

1. Restore and develop ecology
2. Provide continuous access
3. Improve landuse
4. Provide a range of facilities

A staged approach

The Wānaka Lakefront Development Plan is split into five stages:

1. Stage One [complete]
2. Stage Two
3. Stage Three
4. Stage Four (in conjunction with the Wānaka Town Centre Masterplan)
5. Stage Five

Stage Three:

Stage Three of the Wānaka Lakefront Development Plan runs from Bullock Creek through to the Wānaka Marina, and will see the implementation of a number of features, including:

• Restoration and development of native vegetation - large scale planting to maintain the lakefront's rugged, wild landscape.
• Te Ara Wānaka - a shared pathway for pedestrians and cyclists that connects Wānaka's Town Centre with the Marina.
• A boardwalk running along the lake's edge.
• Informative signage - highlights of the area's significance to Kāi Tahu, and details of native plant and animal life found nearby.
• Improved landuse - improvement of lawn areas to allow for recreation activities.

A Concept Plan was released in June 2019 for community consultation and received large support. A Detailed Design continues to be worked on.

Visuals of the boardwalk and a view of the site from above are available:

• Boardwalk visual #1
• Boardwalk visual #2
• Site from above visual
• Cross section of site

Next steps:

Construction on Stage Three of the Wānaka Lakefront Development Plan was completed in October 2021.