More than 20 years after discussions first started, Arrowtown is about to be lit up, possibly paving the way for night-time events, such as a lantern festival.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council's infrastructure committee recently adopted the village's concept lighting design master plan, providing for ''appropriate and consistent'' lighting in Arrowtown's heritage zones.
Policy, Standards and Asset planner Polly Lambert said in her report the plan had been developed by lighting and technology designers Toulouse Group, in collaboration with the Arrowtown Promotion and Business Association, the Arrowtown Trust, heritage groups including the Lakes District Museum and residents groups, including the Arrowtown Village Association.
It was focused on Buckingham St and featured lighting of specific heritage buildings, including the council-owned Miner's Cottages, but also had an aspect of future-proofing to enable evening events and specialist lighting.
Some of the buildings to be illuminated were Arrowtown's pharmacy, The Post Office, the New Orleans Hotel, Coachman's Hall, and the Athenaeum Hall.
New lighting would be discreet and, where possible, concealed from view.
''It is our intention that these heritage buildings become the jewels in the crown and are distinguished by retaining their original character.''
It also proposed lamp-style street lighting, appropriate for an ''early rural mining town'' along the main street.
The master plan also proposed up-lighting of the historic Miner's Cottages,
and lighting of selected trees and features, including bronze sculptures on Marshal Park, and a water wheel outside the Lakes District Museum.
''With a new lighting design, we hope there will be increased evening visitors which may open the door to more night-time events taking place, like music events, outdoor dinners, a night market or even a lantern festival.''
One example was the annual Festival of Light held in New Plymouth in December and January, which attracted more than 100,000 visitors each year.
''This type of event could be run annually in Arrowtown on a smaller scale to increase tourist visitor numbers and for locals to revisit.''
A total of $84,000 had been set aside - $27,000 in the 2016-17 annual plan, which was used to upgrade lighting for the Miner's Cottages, a light and a pole on the library corner.
Another $57,000 has been committed in the 2017-18 annual plan, pegged for the upgrading of lighting on council properties, sculptures, four trees, Buckingham Green and three street lights on Buckingham St.
