The Albert Town reserve straddles State Highway 6 north of
the Clutha River and includes Queenstown Lakes District
Council administered facilities, such as cycling tracks, a
historic cemetery, camping ground areas, a kayak slalom
river course, and a boat ramp. Photo by Matthew Haggart.
Incorporating venue plans to let the Albert Town reserve
become the new home of the Wanaka Rodeo Club's popular summer
event is one of the many items in a draft management plan for
the council-administered site.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council is seeking feedback
from the public about the Albert Town Recreation Reserve
draft management plan, which contains a guide to the future
usage of the 49ha site.
The Albert Town Recreation Reserve straddles State Highway 6,
north of the Clutha River and includes council-administered
facilities, such as camping ground areas, a kayak slalom
course on the Hawea River, a boat ramp, a historic cemetery,
and cycling and walking tracks.
The Wanaka Rodeo club wants to base its annual event at a
site on the reserve, to replace its former Golf Course Rd
home in Wanaka, which is being developed as a retirement
village.
The council's draft plan says "not much is known about the
Albert Town Recreation Reserve".
The area was purchased from Ngai Tahu in 1848, originally to
be developed as a subdivision, although the site was
subsequently used for historic activities which included
mining, landfill, camping, and a cemetery.
A small southwest portion of the reserve was used as a
cemetery for Albert Town's early settlers from about 1858
onwards, until a flood in 1878 washed away many graves.
The cemetery was forgotten until 1952 when headstones were
discovered along the riverbanks.
They were collected and incorporated into a memorial block
which was fenced in 2007.
Administered by the Department of Conservation until 2006,
the reserve site was then vested in the Queenstown Lakes
District Council.
The draft management plan was prepared to establish a
"desired mix of uses for the reserve and set in place policy
to guide day-to-day management".
Submissions can be made about the 21-page draft document,
available at QLDC offices and on the council's website, until
August 20.
A public hearing is scheduled to follow.
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