Lightfoot Submission to QLDC Long Term Plan 2024-2034

22 July 2024
Submission to Queenstown Lakes District Council
Long Term Plan 2024 – 2034

Thank you for the opportunity to present the Lightfoot Initiative Charitable Trust’s (Lightfoot’s) submission to the Queenstown Lakes District Council on the Long Term Plan 2024-2034 (LTP).

1. Introduction

Lightfoot’s vision to 2035 is that 90% of people will use shared or active travel 90% of the time. We are committed to the development of safe, sustainable and equitable transport options to keep the Queenstown Lakes District moving. It is possible. To achieve this vision, we need quick, innovative solutions, and more effective collaboration with key partners.

Over the past three years some improvements have been achieved, which include the partial development of the C5 (Arthur’s Point to Queenstown) route; ongoing development of the Wanaka Primary Cycle Network; some improvements to the Fernhill/Thompson Street connection; partial development of the Queenstown to Frankton link (NZTA) and investigation and initial design scoping of the A2 safe crossing (NZTA). In addition to this, an attempt has been made to address first/last mile issues by enabling Beam scooters to operate in parts of Queenstown and Frankton. We appreciate the work and effort by QLDC to enable the development of key active transport infrastructure and initiatives over the past three years.

Lightfoot’s submission presents the following key points:

  1. To achieve our community outcomes, which includes the Vision Beyond 2050 plus an urgent need to address predicted growth, further financial investment is needed in active and shared transport.
  2. We recognise that contextual factors such as escalating construction costs, increased standards and the impact of changed or changing legislation, will impact on the capital works programme.
  3. Queenstown faces significant risks, if additional capital works and low cost/low risk interventions in the transport network are not prioritised in this plan.
  4. Several key pieces of active travel infrastructure identified as priorities in the Long-Term Plan 2021-2031 are yet to be realised. These include upgrades to the Frankton Track and further development of the Wakatipu Active Travel Network.
  5. Funds from unnecessary projects would more than adequately fund further development in the active travel network.
  6. The proposed Long-Term Plan 2024-2034 does not adequately respond to the Climate and Ecological Emergency identified by an earlier Council in 2019. We can’t keep building roads to manage our transport challenges.

2. Proposals and questions for QLDC

We propose the following suggestions and questions that we would like to discuss further at the public hearings.

a) Arterial Bypass.
Population growth in Queenstown over the next ten years will be primarily east and south of Frankton, therefore we request no further investment in land or design for stage 2 and 3 of the arterial bypass in this LTP.

Question for Council:
Given that it is unlikely the Queenstown Lakes District will receive any national roading funding for stage 2 and 3 prior to the next LTP, how can we justify the purchase of additional land/design costs when we have other, more urgent projects that require funding?

b) The proposed community and sports facility location on Ladies Mile may provide an opportunity to develop the Park and Ride service that we were opposed to in 2021. Integrating a form of Park and Ride at this location, along with additional active travel infrastructure such as additional bus stops on SH6 and Howards Drive, covered, secure bike and e-bike storage and a designated carpool pick up zone will contribute to a reduction of traffic on SH6/Shotover Bridge.

Question for Council:
How can the land at Ladies Mile be leveraged more efficiently to provide community facilities but also encourage mode shift?
What small changes or shifts are needed to maximise this important and well located space?

c) Queenstown (defined as the boundaries of communities from Sunshine Bay (west), Arthur’s Point (north), Lake Hayes Estate (east) and Jack’s Point (south)) still lacks an integrated active travel network that allows users to safely travel without a car. While some development has happened, we have not made enough progress in the five years that have elapsed since the Wakatipu Active Travel Network (WATN) Business Case was published. Further delays in delivering the proposed routes and complementary infrastructure will only lead to increased costs, further jeopardising the realisation of the routes. Funding has been allocated for Fernhill improvements (B2) and completion of the Arthur’s Point route (C5), which we support.’

Question for Council:
When will key routes A2 and A7 be realised? While both B2 and C5 are important, the majority of the population growth is centred on areas serviced by A2 and A7.

The crossing of SH6 at Hardware Lane remains an issue and a major pinch point in the network. If a bridge or other safe alternative is not possible, then what immediate work to the ‘safe’ island crossing should be completed by NZTA, and how can QLDC best support this?

What is QLDC doing to influence a better outcome for the A2 and A7 routes? When will residents along the Southern Corridor SH6 be provided with an active travel route?

d) Frankton sits at the geographical heart of the wider Queenstown area, but still lacks necessary active travel infrastructure to ensure users can travel safely by cars. The Frankton Masterplan lays out a very clear pathway to ensure connected cycle and pedestrian access to allow the community to safely travel through Frankton. We propose that the ratepayer owned Roading Reserve on Lucas Place (currently used by the rental car companies) be replaced with a 3 metre wide active travel route to enable both visitors and residents safe passage through this heavily congested area. A series of cycle lanes could also be easily added on Robertson Street and Douglas Street by utilising the roading reserve or removing the few car parks that line the street. This, along with an upgrade to the crossing at the top of Lucas Place/Kawarau Road (SH6) would contribute significantly to the network, as it will connect in with the NZUP works. Signage in this area to ensure visitors know how to travel by foot or bus is also needed.

Question for Council:

Why is there no funding allocated to realise active travel infrastructure specified in the Frankton Town Centre Masterplan?

Why are we still waiting for basic infrastructure such as signage between airport and the bus hub, and footpaths?

e) The Frankton Track/Frankton Road remains a major pinchpoint in the active travel network. Early designs proposed in the WATN Business Case showed a low speed zone, multi-use road design that prioritised walking, cycling and public transport. While this utopian vision might not be possible, urgent development of either Frankton Road or the Frankton track is needed to develop a 12 months-of-the-year route that is safe and suitable for all ages and genders to use as a transport link. Currently, for six months of the year, the lack of safety lighting and limited visibility due to the level of foliage and trees makes this track unsuitable and unsafe for many users, thereby removing a key link in the active travel network.

Question for Council:

Why are we still awaiting a full consultation on the upgrades to the Frankton Track that covers all relevant considerations?

f) Low cost / Low Risk
Throughout Queenstown and Arrowtown, we are still waiting on consistent street signage to indicate safe urban cycle and pedestrian routes. In many locations, green paint could be used to delineate areas that cyclists could use. There are many other inexpensive fixes that could be quickly put in place to better promote cycling and walking.

Final Thoughts

Active travel contributes socially and economically in towns and cities, by creating a feeling of social cohesion. Congestion is reduced as high quality neighbourhoods become more attractive when served by public transport and active travel options. There are significant and notable benefits in forming urban planning around connected and safe transport modes.

In a geographically constrained location like Queenstown, we cannot afford to keep building more major roads. Innovative solutions exist that could transform our city. In the current economic climate, money is tight and there is less funding for the basics, let alone innovations. Over the next three years, we must focus on making minor and inexpensive shifts, some of which are detailed above, whilst planning for major change in the next Long Term Plan.

Thank you for your ongoing work in the Queenstown Lakes District.

Yours sincerely,

Amanda Robinson
General Manager
The Lightfoot Initiative Charitable Trust