Blue-Green Network Plan

Our draft Blue Green Network Plan maps out the parks, open spaces, trails, and waterways across Priority Development Areas and settlements in the Queenstown Lakes District — and identifies what should be protected, enhanced, and better connected as we grow.

This plan is about more than just green spaces. It’s about creating well-designed neighbourhoods, resilient communities, and a healthier environment for everyone.

By identifying and weaving together our blue (waterways), green (natural spaces), and community (parks, trails, civic spaces) networks in one single place, we’ve created a practical resource that both Council and developers can use to understand what existing and future residents may benefit from in their local areas. That information can then be used to inform future development.

The plan maps both current and future development areas across the district, including:

• Settlements: Arrowtown, Kingston, Glenorchy, Cardrona, Luggate, Hāwea, Makarora

• Priority Development Areas: Town Centre to Frankton Corridor, Five Mile Urban Corridor, Te Pūtahi Ladies Mile, Te Tapuae Southern Corridor, Southern Wānaka, and Wānaka Town Centre – Three Parks Corridor

Starting on Monday 22 September 2025, we're taking community feedback on our draft Blue Green Network Plan.

This is your backyard, so branch out and be heard. We would like to know what you think about the Blue Green Network Plan to ensure it reflects what matters most to you — the places you love, the spaces you use, and the values you want to see protected, enhanced, or introduced.

We would like to know:

• If you support the Blue Green Network Plan
• Whether we’ve identified the right areas to protect or enhance
• And what’s important in your neighbourhood to you, or others you care about

Benefits of the Blue Green Network place include:

• Enhance biodiversity and protect native habitats

• Improve water quality and support Te Mana o te Wai

• Build resilience to climate change and natural hazards

• Create more spaces for recreation, sport, and social connection

• Support mental and physical wellbeing

• Foster education and environmental stewardship

• Ensure accessibility and inclusivity for all

• Promote sustainable development

• Enhance the visitor experience and local pride

Our Blue Green Network Plan is built on five key principles:

• Mana o te Wai – Prioritising water as the foundation of healthy environments and communities

• Woven into the context – Tailoring solutions to each place while contributing to the wider network

• Coexistence of nature and people – Designing spaces that benefit both ecosystems and everyday life

• Connecting people and place – Strengthening access and belonging through integrated networks

• Fit for purpose and well serviced – Ensuring open spaces are well-located, well-designed, and multifunctional

Once feedback closes, we’ll review all submissions before presenting the final plan for adoption at a date to be confirmed.

The Blue Green Network Plan is designed to evolve — as our communities grow, so too will the opportunities to shape and refine the network.