New lake viewing area to replace rockfallprone site

A NEW site for viewing Lake Wakatipu will be developed to replace the rockfallprone Bennetts Bluffs lookout on the GlenorchyQueenstown road.

The Queenstown Lakes District Council’s infrastructure committee this week gave staff approval to begin planning and design work on a viewing area and car park on flat ground about 100m from the existing lookout.

Construction is expected to start early next year.

A report by programme director Gareth Noble said the lookout was being moved for safety reasons.

The lack of space at the existing site meant vehicles often spilled into the carriageway on what was a blind corner.

A project to improve safety and expand the parking at the existing site, which was scheduled to start in September, was put on hold after ‘‘tension cracks and rock fall hazards’’ were identified on the bluff.

Remedial

options

were ‘‘limited, technically challenging and are likely a significant cost’’, and more geotechnical investigation was needed to understand the hazard, the mitigation work required and its costs.

A business case for the new site said it would involve the construction of an unsealed access road, a 1000sq m car park and a walking track to a lookout with a ‘‘360degrees panorama view’’.

Design and construction was expected to cost $250,000.

A disadvantage of the site was it was owned by Doc, so a land use agreement would be needed.

The infrastructure committee has accepted the conclusions and recommendations of a review of the Lake Hawea water supply project.

Upgraded last year to improve

Athe township’s water pressure and flow, the system has not met the council’s expectations, raising doubt over its ability to cope with peak demand and cater for expected population growth.

The councilcommissioned review made 14 recommendations regarding the proper management of largescale projects.

In answer to her question ‘‘what went wrong, in layman’s terms?’’ Cr Penny Clark was told by council staff that staff turnover and the introduction of ‘‘unnecessary complexity’’ to the project had contributed to problems. Mr Noble said there were a ‘‘few gaps’’ in the way the project was managed, and ‘‘greater clarity’’ had been needed in reviewing the design and the accountability for the design.