Rocks will help keep cars off grass

Wanaka's increasing popularity with tourists is causing parking headaches and the Queenstown Lakes District Council is  looking at ways to  ease the problem temporarily.

The increase in tourist numbers has put pressure on parking along the lakefront and other attractions in the area, and a long-term solution is  in the planning stages.

Parks and reserves planning manager Stephen Quinn said options for relieving some of the immediate parking pressures were being investigated. One being considered was to use part  of the Wanaka Recreation Reserve for overflow parking.

Parking would be restricted to areas off the sports fields so the use of those facilities were not restricted, he said.

Longer-term plans for improving parking along the lakefront had been identified in the Wanaka Lakefront Development Plan. Plans included dedicated parking areas in the Roys Bay Recreational Reserve near the playground end and opposite the Wanaka Recreation Reserve as well as increased parking on Ardmore St.

Funding for the  parking areas needed to be approved in the next long-term plan, Mr Quinn said.

This week, large rocks were placed on some lakefront grass areas to stop people from parking on them and damaging the grass and trees. Signs telling motorists  parking was not allowed on the grass areas were already in place but these are being ignored.

Wanaka Community Board deputy chairman Quentin Smith said he  asked the council to put the rocks in place after he received complaints from residents about illegally parked vehicles.

Mr Smith understood some people were concerned parking would be more difficult but the council needed to protect the lakefront area.

"There is definitely  an issue with parking in Wanaka at the moment which is being looked at but we also need to protect the lakefront amenity so it can continue to be enjoyed."

Mr Smith said he and the community board were well aware of the parking issues and  hoped to help drive some action by the council. It was not just the lakefront which had parking issues — attractions such as the Roys Peak Track were also under pressure.

"I drove past on Sunday and there were at least 100 vehicles parked in the car park and along Mt Aspiring Rd and we’re not even into the peak season yet."

A solution for parking at the trail was part of the Mt Aspiring Rd widening, with work expected to start in March next year.

tim.miller@odt.co.nz