Public picnic and swimming areas around Lake Dunstan could soon be home to commercial businesses, with the Crown agency that manages the land calling for "entrepreneurs" to put forward ideas.

Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) has launched an expression of interest process for four lakefront reserves - Lion’s Lookout, Devil’s Creek, Rocky Point and Jacksons.

LINZ Crown property head Sonya Wikitera said the sites offered a rare opportunity in a “high-demand, high-visibility” location.

“We’re looking for innovative businesses that complement the existing offerings in the area, ventures that encourage people to stay longer, explore more, and connect with the unique character of Lake Dunstan,” she said in a statement.

LINZ has floated ideas such as outdoor cinemas, water activity hubs, glamping and outdoor education centres. 

It said proposals will be weighed against criteria including community benefit, tourism value, environmental impact and recognition of local culture. 

Three of the sites available through the expression of interest process are accessed off State Highway 8 between Cromwell and Tarras, while the fourth is accessed off State Highway 8 between Cromwell and Alexandra/Clyde. Image: Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand

The move follows the success of other ventures operating on Lake Dunstan, including the popular floating coffee and burger bar, and the Kiwi Water Park at Lowburn, which draws thousands of visitors each summer under a lease arrangement with LINZ.

It also comes as LINZ undertakes a wider shake-up of how it manages Crown-owned land around the lake.

Earlier this year, fencing costing $22,000 was installed at the same picnic and rest areas now open for commercial leasing - in addition to two other sites adjacent to the lake near Bannockburn. 

LINZ said the work was part of a programme to “improve how these sites are managed” and to allow them to be secured in the future if needed.

The agency also confirmed it had removed 29 rubbish bins from a number of its lakeside sites at a cost of $12,000, saying the change will save $40,000 a year.

The reserves around Cromwell are heavily used in summer as stopping points for locals and visitors alike. 

Sonya called the reserves a “blank canvas”, saying with tourism on the rise “the timing couldn’t be better” for lease arrangements. 

Expressions of interest close on October 10.

Read more: Fences go up around Lake Dunstan picnic spots

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