$83 million plan laid out for transport

FRANKTON

A HUGE redevelopment plan for Frankton that could cost ratepayers $83 million will go before Queenstown Lakes district councillors for approval.

If accepted, the Frankton master plan and integrated transport programme business case will mean the demise of Frankton Golf Centre in favour of a ‘‘public transport interchange’’, community hub and emergency precinct.

It would also pave the way for highdensity housing opposite the Five Mile shopping centre, provided an alternative location for the current power infrastructure can be found.

A new overpass across State Highway 6A near Lakes District Hospital, called Lake Link Bridge, is also included, to provide pedestrian access to Lake Wakatipu from Frankton.

Police, St John Ambulance and Fire and Emergency New Zealand have all been tightlipped about the emergency precinct.

An official information request by the Otago Daily Times suggested it could improve response times, especially for Fenz, which relied entirely on volunteer firefighters in Queenstown.

The precinct would also house Civil Defence and Queenstown Airport rescue.

Planners said there were concerns the precinct could be affected by heavy traffic, but they hoped to solve the issue through new public transport options that reduced personal vehicle use.

One option was the longmooted commuter gondola by Remarkables Park owner Alastair Porter, who was yesterday unavailable for comment.

The idea was first raised in 2015 and would connect Frankton, Remarkables Park, Remarkables Ski Area and Lake Hayes Estate.

Council planners also considered trackless trams and double decker buses to help with connectivity.

The proposed transport interchange on the golf course was to work in conjunction with a ‘‘regional and tourist coach hub’’ at Queenstown Airport, which ‘‘would help alleviate the pressure for more essential road users’’, the master plan said.

There were also designs for a ‘‘an orbital public transport service’’ that would connect ‘‘key destinations such as Queenstown Event Centre, Five Mile, Queenstown Central, Remarkables Park, Wakatipu High School and Queenstown Airport’’.

New river crossings exclusively for public transport were also to ‘‘be investigated in the future and will be implemented if there is sufficient demand and need’’.

A replacement golf course at Shotover Delta was listed as ‘‘high priority/short term’’.

The council will meet tomorrow at the Lake Wanaka Centre from 1pm.