🛫 Wānaka Community Update: Airport Future, Eely Point Trees, Water Reform & More

Here’s what’s happening around Wānaka — from our skies to our lakes, and everything in between. We’re diving into big decisions and upcoming opportunities for locals to get involved.

✈️ Wānaka Airport Future Review: What’s Next?

The Wānaka Airport Future Review is currently in its early planning and research phase, with stakeholder input and technical assessments underway. This review aims to set a long-term vision for how the airport fits into the Upper Clutha region’s future.

🔍 What’s coming up for the community?
The next phases will include community consultation, where residents can weigh in on issues like flight frequency, noise, tourism growth, and economic opportunities. Keep an eye out for public drop-ins and online surveys.

📈 Early indicators?
No decisions yet, but initial reports point to cautious growth, ensuring alignment with environmental values and local lifestyle priorities.

🧭 How does it fit into the bigger picture?
The review is closely tied to regional tourism strategies and infrastructure planning — balancing the visitor economy with transport, housing, and climate resilience.

🌳 Eely Point Tree Succession Plan: Green Today, Greener Tomorrow

Eely Point is getting a careful refresh. A succession plan has been approved to remove aging or invasive trees and replant with diverse, native species.

📆 Timeline:
Tree removal is scheduled for late winter 2025, with planting to follow in spring and autumn to maximise survival rates.

🌱 Balancing ecology and recreation:
The plan takes into account shade, shelter, and play space, with input from ecologists, arborists, and park users.

📣 Can locals have a say?
Yes — the council will seek community feedback on tree types and planting designs later this year.

💧 Water Reform Consultation: Have Your Say by 29 June

The government is proposing major reforms to how water is managed across Aotearoa — and they’ll affect how we collect, treat, and pay for water here in Wānaka.

📌 Key changes include:

• Restructuring water service delivery.

• Strengthening environmental and health standards.

• Introducing new funding models.

🌊 Local impact:
These changes could affect rates, water quality, and infrastructure investment. Wānaka’s unique lakeside needs will need careful consideration.

📢 Council position:
While a final submission is still being developed, Council is advocating for local voice and clarity around accountability, cost, and environmental outcomes.

🔗 [Submit your feedback here before 29 June → Here

⚡ Contact Energy & Lake Hāwea: Water Levels Under Review

Contact Energy has proposed changes to how it manages Lake Hāwea levels, sparking community concern.

📍 Current status:
The proposal is under review, with environmental assessments ongoing. No decisions have been made.

🌿 Key concerns:

• Lower lake levels may impact recreational access, fish habitats, and visual amenity.

• Ecological studies and iwi consultation are in progress.

🤝 Community engagement:
Council is actively engaging with Contact Energy and locals to ensure transparency and environmental safeguards.

🗳 Want to Stand for the Community Board?

Local elections are on the horizon — and the Wānaka Community Board is calling for fresh voices.

👥 What does the board do?
The board helps shape local priorities, public spaces, funding decisions, and strategic direction. It’s where your voice helps shape Wānaka’s future.

⏱ Time commitment?
Roughly 10–15 hours per month, including public meetings and preparation.

🌟 Why stand?
It’s a meaningful way to influence parks, roads, events, youth initiatives, and more — and bring your lived experience into local decision-making.

🎙️ We spoke to Simon on-air this morning about what it’s like to serve on the board — catch the full video chat on our socials now.

Stay informed. Stay involved.
Your voice matters — whether it’s trees, water, or where our planes take off from. Let’s shape Wānaka together. 🌿