The majority of campers using Queenstown Lakes District Council-run holiday parks at Glendhu Bay and Wanaka are satisfied with their camping experience and more than half of them want the council to retain management of the parks, a survey has indicated.
The Glendhu Bay Lakeside Holiday Park and Lake Wanaka Holiday Park were the focus of a recent survey aimed at determining their future, as part of a review of the council's camping-ground strategy, which was adopted in 2006.
More than 300 people responded to the survey and, of those, 67% said their expectations of the parks were being met. However, more than half said they would like to see general improvements made, including an upgrade of toilet and shower facilities, more toilet facilities at the Mt Aspiring end of the Glendhu Bay park and reduction of the washing-machine charge to $2 from $4.
In response to whether the council should continue to manage the parks, 58% said yes and 37% said no.
Proximity to the lake and the size of the campsites were among the features respondents most valued about the parks.
Campers asked for the prices to remain the same to ensure affordability for families, and also suggested the increase in on-site storage costs for a caravan - from $2 to $16 - was "grossly out of balance". Glendhu Bay campers have since been granted an interim exemption from the cost increase.
With regards to cabins being made available for winter use, 80% of respondents were happy with the arrangement provided it was not to the detriment of caravan and tent sites and there were minimal numbers of cabins needed.
The number of days stayed per year at Glendhu Bay was 3913, compared with 1028 at the Wanaka park.
