Frankton’s sharp growing pains
With close to $1 million to be spent on planning for the future of Frankton, Daisy Hudson takes a look at the big issues, and what might be in store for the Queenstown suburb.
IT’S the gateway to New Zealand’s playground, but Queenstown’s rapid growth, and the problems that come with it, are taking their toll on the suburb of Frankton.
The area is increasingly becoming the residential heart of the resort.
Chatter about community services and facilities moving out of Queenstown’s CBD and into Frankton is growing louder and louder, more housing developments and apartments are in the works, and business owners with their eyes on cheaper rents are moving in.
The influx is not set to abate any time soon, with population projections over the next few decades moving in an upwards direction.
With the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s ambitious, nearly $1 billion longterm plan now signed off, attention is turning to the future of the under pressure neighbourhood.
The council has released an initial plan, compiled by consultancy firm Rationale at a cost of $35,290, outlining the key issues in Frankton, how they might be solved, and what timeframes may be involved.
That report will inform the Frankton Masterplan.
Given the green light at a recent council meeting, the masterplan will take close to a year and cost ratepayers $840,000.
So, given the huge investment in what looks like a massive piece of planning work, what will it include?
Transport
It’s the obvious one, and people outside of Queenstown may be getting sick of hearing about it, but you cannot overlook the serious impacts increasing traffic will have on Frankton.
As the main route in and out of Queenstown, Frankton’s roads are usually clogged.
The suburb is also home to Queenstown Airport, which is looking to grow its passenger numbers significantly.
In 2017, State Highway 6, between Frankton and Queenstown’s CBD, was operating at 88% of its theoretical capacity of 28,500 vehicles a day, according to the Queenstown Integrated Transport Programme Business Case.
That figure is set to rise to 100% by 2026.
‘‘Traditional transport strategies and response to growth will no longer work in the Queenstown environment,’’ the business case states.
The Rationale report outlines quite a few possible measures to combat the congestion.
They include pedestrianising Queenstown’s CBD by 2026.
The council has already taken steps to reduce the number of cars entering the CBD, including raising parking rates and scrapping most allday parking.
It figures a combination of that, as well as the Otago Regional Council’s reasonably priced bus network, will stop people automatically reaching for their keys.
Another measure to reduce traffic congestion is ‘‘mass rapid transit’’, with the main option being a previously signalled gondola planned by Remarkables Park Ltd.
A ferry connection between Frankton and Queenstown, and the exploration of other connections including Lake Hayes Estate and integration with the gondola, are also mooted.
A new transport hub is a possibility. The report found the current bus hub at Frankton is not ‘‘well connected to the major attractions in Frankton’’.
‘‘The location for this needs to be reviewed with a wider multimodel hub in mind.’’
Land use
Land use and tension between residential and commercial developments is set to be another key issue.
‘‘Frankton will experience growing demand as residential and accommodation developments increase in and around the Frankton area,’’ the Rationale report states.
Developments already either planned or under way include largescale residential projects at Hanley Downs and Jacks Point, continued growth around Quail Rise, Lake Hayes Estate, Shotover Country, and Bridesdale Farm, planned development along Ladies Mile, and residential units planned by Remarkables Park Ltd.
Commercial development is also on the rise, with ‘‘significant commercial growth in Frankton over the past two to three years’’.
Then there’s the need to balance development with green space and community facilities in an increasingly residential area.
‘‘There is a considerable amount of waterfront recreational reserve land available around the perimeter of Frankton, however there is little provision of passive recreational facilities within Frankton itself.
‘‘The waterfronts offer an opportunity to support passive recreation and create an attraction for both residents and visitors alike.’’
Community views
The Frankton Community Association has been increasingly vocal about the needs of its neighbourhood.
Chairman Glyn Lewers told the Otago Daily Times this week he was hoping the community would get involved and have their say throughout the masterplan process.
Among the community a big concern is the need for ‘‘a strong environmental focus and protection of the lake and river from all the development happening out here’’, he said.
Livability was another issue, he said.
‘‘There’s been a bit of discussion as to where the heart of Frankton should be, and that’s still undecided, from a community point of view.’’
There has also been a view, when it comes to development, that the community has been ‘‘dictated to’’, rather than being consulted.
The masterplan process was a chance to change that, Mr Lewers said.
‘‘I expect a few people in Frankton will want to have their say.’’