QTS-068 · Spatial plan · 2021Draft
The Queenstown Lakes Spatial Plan (Part 4, printed pp.86-115)
Part of: Rapid transit evidence →
This is Part 4 of the Queenstown Lakes Spatial Plan (July 2021), covering printed pages 86-115 as 15 double-page spreads. It contains the transport maps (Map 13 district transport; Maps 14-15 public transport and active travel networks), Outcome 3 (a sustainable tourism system), Outcome 4 (well-designed neighbourhoods), Outcome 5 (a diverse economy) and the Grow Well | Whaiora Partnership joint work programme of 22 priority initiatives. On transport it describes a package of initiatives whose 'backbone' is a Frequent Public Transport Network, initially between Queenstown Town Centre and Frankton, later extending to Ladies Mile and Jacks Point / Homestead Bay via the Airport and Remarkables Park, running at least every 10 minutes. It will initially use buses with bus lanes, intersection priority and a new bus hub on SH6, and is described as scalable to 'higher capacity buses and modes, such as a trackless tram'. It states $175m has been allocated by government through the NZ Upgrade Programme and COVID-19 stimulus, with initial works expected by 2024. Transport priority initiatives include completing the Queenstown business cases and Frequent Transit Network, a mode shift plan with travel demand management, extending the network to Remarkables Park and the Southern Corridor, completing the active travel networks, a Tourism Travel Demand Strategy and investigating sub-regional public transport. An implementation plan was to be developed and the Spatial Plan reviewed in 2024. The buses it describes are not mass rapid transit. A trackless tram, which it names as a possible later upgrade, is.
What the document says
Context and purpose: This file is an extract (Part 4) of the Queenstown Lakes Spatial Plan, printed pages 86-115, dated July 2021 in the page footers. It sets spatial strategies, maps and priority initiatives for growth across the district. The authorship is the Grow Well | Whaiora Partnership; the extract itself does not list the partner organisations or any individual authors.
Transport: Map 13 ('Queenstown Lakes - Transport') identifies key constraints including the Shotover Bridge, SH6A Frankton-Town Centre, the Albert Town Bridge and the Edith Cavell Bridge, and notes some elements are 'Identified in Waka Kotahi Arataki Version2 July 2021' (p.1). The accompanying text, 'Queenstown's Future Integrated Transport System', describes a multimodal package of a much improved walking and cycling network, enhanced ferry services and a frequent public transport system (p.1). The backbone is a Frequent Public Transport Network initially between Queenstown Town Centre and Frankton, eventually extending east to Ladies Mile and south to Jacks Point / Homestead Bay via the Airport and Remarkables Park, with services at least every 10 minutes during the day (p.1). It 'will initially use buses with bus lanes and priority over cars at key intersections, along with a new bus hub on SH6', and is 'designed to be scalable and can be upgraded as demand increases to higher capacity buses and modes, such as a trackless tram' (p.1). Government has allocated $175m towards the initial stage via the New Zealand Upgrade Programme and the COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Package, with initial works expected to be completed by 2024 (p.1). Maps 14 and 15 show existing, planned and vision frequent and regular public transport services, active mode networks, ferry, park and ride, major interchanges and a sub-regional network (p.2).
Tourism (Outcome 3): Strategy 8 calls for a Destination Management Strategy; Strategy 9 notes that by 2031 almost 150,000 people could be in the district at the summer peak, over 90,000 of them visitors, and seeks a more equitable infrastructure funding stream, citing the 2019 referendum support for a visitor accommodation levy (p.4). Strategy 10 seeks to promote a car-free destination by encouraging visitors to use public transport, walking and cycling, and presents an aspirational sub-regional network concept linking Queenstown, Wānaka and Cromwell (p.5).
Neighbourhoods and economy (Outcomes 4-5): Strategies 11-13 address everyday needs, design guidance and the Blue-Green Network, with education and health facility needs (pp.7-10). Strategies 14-16 address economic diversification (tourism accounted for 63% of jobs and 55% of GDP before COVID-19), space for business (an additional 10,000-15,000 jobs over 30 years, with Queenstown Town Centre and Frankton the major Wakatipu employment hubs), and efficient connections, noting that moving people by public transport, walking and cycling will assist freight reliability 'particularly in constrained parts of the network such as between Frankton and the Queenstown Town Centre' (pp.11-13). Estimated additional business space demand 2016-2046 is shown as 16.2 ha, 38.1 ha and 33.4 ha across industrial, retail and commercial categories (p.12; category-to-figure mapping unclear in extracted text).
Implementation: The joint work programme lists 22 priority initiatives across five outcomes (p.15). An implementation plan setting out responsibilities and timeframes was to be developed and reviewed annually, and the Spatial Plan was to be reviewed and updated in 2024 (p.15). A monitoring programme will track delivery and growth (p.15).
Mass rapid transit: Its only reference to a higher-capacity mode is that the bus-based Frequent Public Transport Network between the Town Centre and Frankton is scalable 'to higher capacity buses and modes, such as a trackless tram' (p.1).
Key figures
- Frequent network services at least every 10 minutes during the day (p.1)
- $175m government allocation (NZUP and COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Package) towards initial stage; initial works expected by 2024 (p.1)
- Almost 150,000 people could be in the district at peak summer by 2031, over 90,000 of them visitors (p.4)
- Tourism accounted for 63% of jobs and 55% of district GDP before COVID-19 (p.11)
- Additional 10,000-15,000 jobs expected over the next 30 years (p.11)
- Approximately 88% of jobs are in the urban areas of Queenstown and Wānaka (p.11)
- 22 priority initiatives in the joint work programme; Spatial Plan to be reviewed and updated in 2024 (p.15)
Rapid transit
Mass rapid transit means light rail, gondola/cable car, bus rapid transit and similar dedicated rapid-transit technologies. It does not include ordinary bus services or ferries.
Passing. Mentions mass rapid transit without assessing it.
Ordinary bus frequent network between the Town Centre and Frankton, described as scalable to higher-capacity buses and to a trackless tram. The bus service is not mass rapid transit; a trackless tram is.
The plan names a Frequent Public Transport Network, initially between Queenstown Town Centre and Frankton, as 'the backbone of the new system' (p.1). It 'will initially use buses with bus lanes and priority over cars at key intersections, along with a new bus hub on SH6', and 'is designed to be scalable and can be upgraded as demand increases to higher capacity buses and modes, such as a trackless tram' (p.1). It cites $175m of government funding through the NZ Upgrade Programme and COVID-19 stimulus, with initial works expected by 2024 (p.1). Priority initiatives 6 and 8 are to complete and implement the Queenstown transport business cases including delivery of the Frequent Transit Network, and to investigate and protect its extension to Remarkables Park and the Southern Corridor (p.15). No alignment is protected, and no trigger or timeframe is given for an upgrade. Higher-capacity buses are not mass rapid transit; a trackless tram is.
"The frequent network will initially use buses with bus lanes and priority over cars at key intersections, along with a new bus hub on SH6 making it faster than a car during busy times. The system is designed to be scalable and can be upgraded as demand increases to higher capacity buses and modes, such as a trackless tram." (p.1 (printed p.86)) | "The government has already allocated $175m towards the initial stage as part of the New Zealand Upgrade Programme and the COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Package. Initial works are expected to be completed by 2024." (p.1 (printed p.86))
Files
- Open Main document (PDF, 9.4 MB) Opens in a new tab.
Main document
Public copies
Same title and date; a different file from the copy held here.
Actions recorded
Review zoning and other levers to enable higher densities and more flexible land use within existing and new urban areas identified in the Spatial Plan.
Not assessed · Grow Well Whaiora
1. Review zoning and other levers to enable higher densities
Use the Grow Well Whaiora Urban Growth Partnership to unlock joint priority development areas: Ladies Mile, Five Mile, Queenstown Town Centre to Frankton Corridor, Southern Corridor, Wānaka Town Centre to Three Parks, Southern Wānaka.
Not assessed · Grow Well Whaiora
2. Use the Grow Well Whaiora Urban Growth Partnership to improve alignment and coordination to unlock joint priority development areas
Undertake structure plans for future urban areas, identifying infrastructure triggers to enable and sequence growth and prioritising affordable housing.
Not assessed · Grow Well Whaiora
3. Undertake structure plans for future urban areas identified in the Spatial Plan, including identifying infrastructure triggers
Investigate alternative funding and financing tools to accelerate infrastructure delivery.
Not assessed · Grow Well Whaiora
4. Investigate the use of alternative funding and financing tools to accelerate infrastructure delivery
Establish a coordinated programme drawing together central government, community providers, iwi and council projects to improve affordable housing outcomes.
Not assessed · Grow Well Whaiora
5. Establish a coordinated programme... to improve affordable housing outcomes
Complete and implement the Queenstown Transport Business Cases, including delivery of the Frequent Transit Network.
Not assessed · Grow Well Whaiora · Initial works expected by 2024 (p.1) · Relevant to rapid transit
6. Complete and implement the Queenstown Transport Business Cases including the delivery of the Frequent Transit Network
Complete and implement a mode shift plan for Queenstown, including travel demand management measures.
Not assessed · Grow Well Whaiora
7. Complete and implement a mode shift plan for Queenstown including travel demand management measures
Investigate and protect the extension of the Frequent Transit Network to Remarkables Park and the Southern Corridor.
Not assessed · Grow Well Whaiora · Relevant to rapid transit
8. Investigate and protect the extension of the Frequent Transit Network to Remarkables Park and the Southern Corridor
Show all 24 actions
Complete the Wakatipu and Upper Clutha Active Travel Networks.
Not assessed · Grow Well Whaiora
9. Complete the Wakatipu and Upper Clutha Active Travel Networks
Investigate establishing Upper Clutha and sub-regional public transport networks.
Not assessed · Grow Well Whaiora
10. Investigate establishing Upper Clutha and Sub-Regional public transport networks
Develop and implement a Destination Management Strategy to align decision making and development with sustainable development principles.
Not assessed · Grow Well Whaiora
11. Develop and implement a Destination Management Strategy
Implement a levy on visitor accommodation across the Queenstown Lakes.
Not assessed · Grow Well Whaiora · 'pursued in future years' (p.4)
12. Implement a levy on visitor accommodation across the Queenstown Lakes
Develop and implement a Tourism Travel Demand Strategy to encourage visitors to use public and active modes.
Not assessed · Grow Well Whaiora
13. Develop and implement a Tourism Travel Demand Strategy to encourage the use of public and active modes by visitors
Investigate establishing a sub-regional public transport network serving both residents and visitors.
Not assessed · Grow Well Whaiora
14. Investigate establishing a sub-regional public transport network
Develop open space network plans to deliver the Blue-Green Networks.
Not assessed · Grow Well Whaiora
15. Develop open space network plans to deliver the Blue-Green Networks
Complete, update and implement QLDC Community Wellbeing, Community Facilities and Parks and Reserves strategies and plans.
Not assessed · QLDC
16. Complete, update and implement Community Wellbeing, QLDC Community Facilities and Parks and Reserves strategies and plans
Develop a Grow-well Design Guide to improve built form quality and embrace Kāi Tahu cultural values.
Not assessed · Grow Well Whaiora
17. Develop a Grow-well Design Guide
Develop an Economic Diversification Plan.
Not assessed · Grow Well Whaiora
18. Develop an Economic Diversification Plan
Support the Otago Regional Economic Development Network to continue delivering regionally connected initiatives.
Not assessed · Grow Well Whaiora
19. Support the Otago Regional Economic Development Network
Review and update District Plan zoning of centres and major employment locations to be consistent with the Spatial Plan.
Not assessed · Grow Well Whaiora
20. Review and update the zoning of centres and major employment locations in the District Plan
Establish a Queenstown Lakes utility infrastructure providers forum to improve coordination and network resilience.
Not assessed · Grow Well Whaiora
21. Establish a Queenstown Lakes utility infrastructure providers forum
Identify and ensure efficient operation of main freight routes by developing a Network Operating Plan.
Not assessed · Grow Well Whaiora
22. Identify and ensure the efficient operation of main freight routes by developing a Network Operating Plan
Develop a draft joint work programme and an implementation plan setting responsibilities and timeframes, reviewed annually.
Not assessed · Annual review
An implementation plan will be developed that sets out responsibilities and timeframes for delivering the initiatives
Review and update the Spatial Plan.
Not assessed · 2024
The Spatial Plan will be reviewed and updated in 2024.
Study cost
A study cost has been requested under the Official Information Act or LGOIMA. No figure has been received.
Citation
Grow Well Whaiora partnership. The Queenstown Lakes Spatial Plan (Part 4, printed pp.86-115) (2021).