What would it take to get you out of your car? More public transport options? Safer opportunities to walk or cycle? A gondola along Queenstown Hill? A more frequent ferry service? Something else?

This is your chance to help plan safe, accessible and connected transport solutions for everyone.

Queenstown Lakes District Council, the NZ Transport Agency and Otago Regional Council are calling on local residents and visitors to make their voices heard on work underway to improve transport infrastructure in the Wakatipu area.

Community engagement on projects under the ‘Wakatipu Way to Go’ umbrella will start on 1 April and run until 22 April.

QLDC Mayor Jim Boult said the challenges facing Queenstown and Frankton are unique and incredibly challenging, stressing that community engagement will play a vital role in developing and testing future transport solutions.

“Getting it right relies on insights and ideas from the people who travel around the Wakatipu area every day. Whether you’re a cyclist, a pedestrian, motorist or public transport user, you’ll have slightly different perspectives. Drawing these out and helping us to test future solutions will be important as we move forward,” Mayor Boult said.

Key topics the community is being asked to consider include priorities to guide the Frankton Masterplan, options and ideas for mass rapid transport, and incentives for taking alternative modes of transport in and around Queenstown.

NZ Transport Agency Director Regional Relationships, Jim Harland, said he wanted to encourage people to think about the trips they are taking and the transport options available.

“We are asking people to not only think about the big picture, but also provide us with some detailed information about specific opportunities. These answers will guide solutions for all the work that is underway so that we finish with a smarter, safer, better connected transport network,” he said.

Otago Regional Council chairman Stephen Woodhead said he was looking forward to gaining an even greater understanding of what residents in and around Queenstown wanted from their future public transport network.

“The Orbus network has been very popular in Queenstown since launching, with patronage steadily increasing. We now have an opportunity to better understand how to amplify that service, whether that is with more services, providing a connecting water ferry across the Wakatipu, or a dedicated hub in the town centre. We look forward to hearing what locals have to say.”

Representatives from the ‘Wakatipu Way to Go’ group will be attending the following market days in early April to answer questions and talk through the progress so far.

Remarkables Market (Saturday 6 April), Arrowtown Market (Sunday 7 April) and Queenstown Arts Market on Earnslaw Park (Friday 12 April).

The group is also co-hosting a session on the projects with Shaping our Future on 1 April, starting at 6pm at the Queenstown Events Centre. All welcome.

Full details and feedback forms can be found at letstalk.qldc.govt.nz from 1 April.

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