Church project ‘progressing well’
Extensive work to protect a tourist icon of the Mackenzie District is well underway.
Work on the Church of the Good Shepherd , on the ege of Lake Tekapo, began almost a year ago due to the increasing number of tourists to the district – with many coming to see the church. Mackenzie District mayor Graham Smith said he is pleased with progress of the work being done to better protect the church.
He said a metal fence erected around the church would allow better control of people going in and out of the area.
Council community facilities manager Garth Nixon, in his monthly report – to be tabled a council assets and services committee meeting in Fairlie on Thursday, says the project is progressing well.
There had positive feedback received from residents, the report says.
Work still to be done included irrigation and planting, and implementing the bus parking on the western side of the Lake Tekapo footbridge.
Stonework has also been implemented at the front of the church, Smith said.
The work allows the church to be better managed, he said. ‘‘It’s going to make it better. We’re not finished – we’ve still got to shift the bus parking to an area, and that job’s supposed to start next month.
‘‘There will be a car park on the eastern side of town and western side of the river, and we’re wanting tourists to cross the bridge and down to view the church.
‘‘I think it will work very well plus it gives some protection to the area there.’’
Smith could not say when he expected the project to be complete.
In December 2017, the Mackenzie District Council was granted $294,000 from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Tourism Infrastructure Fund, to improve pedestrian access, reduce the impact of vehicle traffic, improve the quality of visitor experiences, and protect the character and natural environment surrounding the world famous church.
The council’s original application to MBIE for the funding said the total cost of was expected to be $420,000.