Blue Green Network Plan

Context and purpose. The Blue Green Network Plan (BGN Plan) is dated July 2026 on its cover, which carries the logos of QLDC, Grow Well Whaiora, Boffa Miskell, Kāuati, Te Ao Mārama Inc and Aukaha (p1). It provides 'a strategic, long-term framework that identifies opportunities for protecting and integrating these natural systems and open spaces into the planning and development of Queenstown Lakes District's urban areas and settlements' (p3, p5). It embeds the Kāi Tahu philosophy of Ki Uta Ki Tai (p5). It was developed by QLDC alongside the other Grow Well Whaiora partners (Kāi Tahu, ORC and the New Zealand Government) with stakeholder input (p5). A separate Kāi Tahu report, 'A Kāi Tahu Blue Green Network Ki Uta Ki Tai' (August 2024), was commissioned by QLDC (p3). The plan 'currently does not add regulation to private land' (p5).

Structure and method. The plan has four sections (introduction, setting the scene, local blue green plans, implementation) and appendices covering process, policy summary, spatial gaps analysis, engagement summary and glossary (p2). The method involved existing-state mapping, a literature review of five policy documents, GIS gap analysis, workshops and site visits, and preparation of 21 Local Blue Green Plans (p18). The plan is described as 'an initial version', based on 'policy, parks planning and spatial data up until July 2024', and relies on desktop datasets, some of which 'may not be entirely reliable or complete' (p6). Interactive GIS layers held by QLDC are to be published online (p6). Engagement included hui and wānanga with Aukaha and TAMI, a partner workshop, key stakeholder participatory design workshops in Whakatipu and Upper Clutha, and planned community consultation and drop-in sessions (pp57-58, 103-104).

Content. The plan builds on the 2021 Spatial Plan's Priority Areas and Future Urban Areas. It identifies 21 BGN Focus Areas clustered into eight: Whakatipu Basin areas, including Tāhuna Queenstown, Queenstown Hill / Frankton Road, Te Kirikiri Frankton, the Eastern and Southern Corridors, Kelvin Heights, Arthurs Point, Arrowtown, Glenorchy and Kingston; and Upper Clutha areas including Wānaka, Albert Town, Luggate, Lake Hāwea, Cardrona and Makarora (p4). Each Local Blue Green Plan maps existing and proposed waterways, ecology, parks, trails, destinations and arrival nodes and lists numbered projects. For Queenstown and Queenstown Hill / Frankton Road these include Horne Creek restoration, Ben Lomond and Queenstown Hill revegetation and the Arthurs Point to Queenstown active travel route (p37). For Frankton they include active travel routes linking the Shotover Bridge and SH6 (p39). The plan relates the BGN to the Spatial Plan outcome 'Public transport, walking and cycling is the preferred option for daily travel' (p16). Appendix B summarises the W2G 'Better Ways to Go 2022' mode shift plan, noting that SH6A between Frankton and the Town Centre 'is nearing capacity with limited ability to increase due to property and topographical constraints' (p61).

Implementation. Local Blue Green Plans will inform structure plans, the Future Development Strategy, subdivision open space planning and the Annual and Long Term Plans (p55). Sixteen implementation projects (0.01-0.16) align QLDC strategies and plans with the BGN, seek ORC and QLDC funding, and set out collaboration with Kāi Tahu (p56). Priorities, timeframes, responsibilities and funding are to be set in a separate QLDC BGN Action Plan (p6). No costs are given.

Mass rapid transit: The plan says nothing about mass rapid transit or offline public transport between Frankton and the Town Centre. Its transport content is limited to active travel and trails and a summary of the 2022 mode shift plan (p61). 'Skyline' appears only as a destination label on the Queenstown map (p37).