Help shape the future use of Frankton’s Riverside Road Reserves

How would you like to use and enjoy Riverside Road Reserves in the future?

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is starting the process to develop a draft Reserve Management Plan (RMP) for the Riverside Road Reserves, public land located along the Kawarau River which backs on to Frankton’s residential area.

QLDC Community Services General Manager Kenneth Bailey encouraged the community, especially Frankton residents and users of the reserve areas, to join the conversation and provide their insights on how these areas should be used, managed and preserved now and for generations to come.

“We are keen to hear from all different groups and people across our community on what you love about these reserves, what you want to see made available on these sites now and in the future, and what you want protected or maintained,” said Mr Bailey.

“As Frankton grows, the way the people want to use reserves and open space may change so now’s the time to get involved in the process and let us know how we can best meet the current and future needs of residents and visitors.”

This area is popular with those who enjoy walking and biking the Twin Rivers Trail, part of the Queenstown Trail ‘Great Ride’ network, which connects the reserves while hugging one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most iconic and picturesque rivers. Also included in the scope of the plan is the Ivan Young reserve land which used to house the Zoological Gardens.

All the information on this project is now available on QLDC’s Let’s Talk website: letstalk.qldc.govt.nz including an online map to drop pins on and share ideas. These early thoughts provided by the community will help guide the development of the draft Reserve Management Plan and support a shared vision for how these reserves can be enjoyed by all.

A drop in engagement session, as part of the Summerdaze Picnic in the Park event, is planned for the 21 March at the Frankton Beach BBQ area, just off Lake Avenue in Frankton. Those interested are welcome to come along anytime between 3.00pm and 5.00pm to chat to Council’s Parks & Reserves staff in person and explore what it is they value most about the Riverside Road Reserves.

Early insights to help inform the draft Riverside Road Reserves RMP will close on 25 March 2025.

Community insights will then be reviewed and considered before a draft Reserve Management Plan is shared with the public for formal submissions in late 2024.

• A Reserve Management Plan sets out how Council intends to provide for and ensure the use, enjoyment, maintenance, protection, and preservation of a reserve. It details all the rules and regulations to act as a guide for Council officers in making both day-to-day and long-term decisions about how reserves and open spaces under its control are to be used, managed, or developed.
• As part of the Project Manawa proposal, Council recently consulted on a land swap for this area and detailed an opportunity to exchange a portion of freehold land at 9 Robertson Street, Frankton with Local Purpose Reserve land on Stanley Street. This piece of land is not within scope of the consultation. If this proposal were to go ahead in the future, it would formally expand the current Riverside Road reserves area. Project Manawa submissions closed at the end of 2023 and a hearing was held on 19 February 2024. The hearings panel recommendation is expected to be presented to full Council on 4 April 2024. You can read more at letstalk.qldc.govt.nz/project-manawa
• The Te Kirikiri Frankton Masterplan which was publicly notified and endorsed by council in 2020 will also be used to shape the draft plan. It has valuable information and themes which will flow into the draft RMP as it provides design and planning principles which relate to the Riverside Road Reserves. To read the QLDC Frankton Masterplan head to www.qldc.govt.nz/services/transport-and-parking/way-to-go/frankton-masterplan/