Queenstown Lakes District Council transportation planning manager Denis Mander told the utilities committee yesterday the tenders would be issued with a possible specification of construction to minimise disruption to businesses.
Mr Mander summarised the 32 public submissions received on the Church St and Searle Lane concept plans and outlined the project's "risk register".
There was ongoing discussion over the proposed dual-purpose bus stop and loading zone, which was requested by Nomads Queenstown Backpackers within the new building on Church St and was supported by bus companies.
Mr Mander's tabled report said the provision was opposed by some submitters because it would take up three parking spaces. Backpackers could walk from existing drop-off stops and bus drivers should be discouraged from parking in Church St.
Nomads Queenstown Backpackers general manager Aimee Jeffrey told the Queenstown Times the coach stop was needed to avoid the daily foot traffic of more than 50 backpackers carrying their luggage en masse from the alternative bus stops, including Athol St.
The Church St stop "provides a good service for the four tour operators to pick up customers with ease".
Ms Jeffrey said traffic volume would not change and businesses benefited from buses showing passengers the Church St and Earl St block, which was sometimes missed.
The option of angled parking instead of the bus stop was compromised by two ventilation units, which would cost an estimated $15,000 to $20,000 to remove, the committee heard.
Provision of a built-out kerb for general parking and goods loading was recommended by the project team to the steering group of Crs John Mann, Vanessa van Uden and Gillian Macleod. It was expected the issue of providing a bus stop at the location would be debated again when the bylaw report for Church St parking controls came to the committee early next year.
Mr Mander said the council was looking at an additional stand for two taxis in Camp St near the corner of Ballarat St to replace the Searle Lane stand, which would eventually be removed.
The risk register describes 46 possible occurrences and rates the likelihood of each eventuating and what mitigation could take place.
The occurrences include water main damage and consequent loss of supply to premises, weather disrupting project progress and emergency service access to the site during construction.
Committee chairman Cr Mann asked if there was a precedent for "booting out" campervans from Marine Pde. Mr Mander said the council could issue advisory signage and tighten up spaces designated by painted white lines.
