Church Street/Searle Land upgrade

The Queenstown Lakes District Council is calling for comment on the proposed upgrade of Church Street and Searle Lane, QLDC utilities chairman Councillor John Mann said.

“Clearly the road and footpath in Church Street and the pavement in Searle Lane are in poor condition. When we considered the 10-Year-Plan this was not a project that we were able to ‘park up’ due to the state of the surface,” Mr Mann said.

The opportunity to make improvements to the street environment was also a chance to address other services on Church Street.

“We’re saying we only want to have the inconvenience once, so at the same time as we upgrade the street, the sewerage and water pipes, also due for replacement, will also be addressed,” Mr Mann said.

The Council was keen to get feedback from the community on the proposed upgrade before cementing the plans. “We’ve got a proposed plan that we would like the community to look at and tell us their views, before we go any further,” Mr Mann said.

The proposal was now available on line at www.qldc.govt.nz or at the Council’s Queenstown office in Gorge Road, above the library.

In general the proposal would see the addition of a pedestrian crossing on Church Street, improved lighting, trees and street furniture. The installation of a coach stop/loading zone is also part of the proposal. Searle Lane would be repaved.

“The plans include increased landscaping, amenity areas and additional bus parking. There will be a small reduction in car parking to accommodate these features,” Mr Mann said.

The Council would be seeking feedback until Friday 4 September 2009. “After that all the comments will come back to the committee for consideration before the project goes any further,” Mr Mann said.

It was possible the project could get underway before the end of the year but would not be carried out during the peak Christmas period.

Meanwhile the Council was also aware of ongoing debate around the safety of car parks in Marine Parade between the Main Town Pier and the Memorial Gates. “Council officers are being encouraged to investigate alternatives and the Council would welcome any ideas that the community might put forward,” Mr Mann said.