Jetty proposed to support transport
FRANKTON beach reserve is earmarked for a revamp to help combat Queenstown’s reliance on roads.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is calling for public feedback on construction of a new public jetty and car park on part of the reserve immediately below Remarkables Primary School.
The 15space, four-hour-limit car park would be near the school, and the jetty would be further south, towards the Kawarau Falls Bridge end.
The plans also include a waiting room, new bike stands, native planting, and removal of vehicle access to the reserve south of the public toilets.
Queenstown Trail, which runs through the reserve, would be realigned to separate it from the car park.
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult said the proposal would encourage active travel and support future alternative transport solutions.
‘‘This reserve upgrade will allow safer access for walkers and cyclists using the Frankton Track [Queenstown Trail], while still catering for shortterm car parking nearby,’’ he said.
‘‘The proposed jetty could be used for a future ferry service and in the meantime would be available for local boaties to use for pickup and dropoff.’’
QLDC’s planning aims to provide ‘‘multimodal’’ transport alternatives to private cars, such as ferries, cycling and buses.
A gondola has been mooted from Frankton to the Queenstown CBD, and some residents who responded to the initial stage of the $840,000 Frankton master plan called for a monorail.
Two weeks ago, private firm Queenstown Ferries announced it was dropping prices and boosting services. A 10trip concession card will cost $49, while a oneway ferry would cost $9, and return $15. The company is a subsidiary of Go Orange, whose general manager Luke Taylor said a public subsidy could further reduce fares. It was in discussions with council about the proposed jetty.
Queenstown Marina, under construction, will have a breakwater for ferries to dock. But travel by road to it from Frankton is on one of the most congested parts of the local network.
A ferry pontoon is also proposed for the Kawarau River, serving Lake Hayes Estate and Shotover Country, but river access will require a jetboat ferry.
Residents and ratepayers can provide feedback on the Frankton proposal until November 23.
In December, councillors will be asked to approve a minor amendment to the Sunshine Bay, Frankton, Kelvin Heights Foreshore Management Plan, to allow construction on the foreshore.
Subject to all approvals, construction of the jetty and reserve improvements could begin in autumn 2019.