Inner links launched

A strategy which will influence how the Queenstown Lakes District Council will shape access in and around Queenstown has been launched today, QLDC Mayor Clive Geddes said.

Stemming from the 2005 Future Links document, Inner Links looks at the options for improving transport links within and around the periphery of Queenstown’s central business area.

“Inner Links is a study that focuses on opportunities for the construction of a series of roading links that could eventually form a route around the central area between Melbourne Street and One Mile. The options are aimed at reducing traffic pressure on the central area streets and creating opportunities to improve the central area street environment,” Mr Geddes said.

The objectives of the study are:

To bring traffic into the town centre without compromising a safe vibrant and social commercial centre;
To allow through-traffic to avoid the town centre;
To provide access to existing and planned carparks;
To act as an arterial route, but to be an urban street and not an expressway;
To support public transport.
 

“Our options are quite simple, we can do the minimum, we can upgrade the existing route or we can develop a Melbourne to One Mile Link via some or all of Melbourne Street, Henry Street, Man Street and Thompson Street,” Mr Geddes said.

But given the projected growth the first two options would not deliver the council and the community’s objectives. “These objectives are based on future proofing our town; we ignore these objectives at our peril and to do so will put future communities at risk,” Mr Geddes said.

A discussion document on the options had been developed and was being circulated widely with feedback sought from the community up until 25 July 2008. “The responses to the consultation process will assist Council to develop its preferences for the future roading links, so this feedback is vital,” Mr Geddes said.

There would also be a drop-in session at the council on Gorge Road from 3-6pm on Thursday July 3, 2008. Copies of the document were available at the council office or the document was available on the Council website www.qldc.govt.nz  

“I urge people to take the time to read the document, understand the issues and give us constructive feedback,” Mr Geddes said.