Lake Dunstan looks set to have its own new man-made beachfront and boardwalk thanks to Contact Energy.

Concept plans for the Lake Dunstan waterfront in Old Cromwell have been well received by the public, with workshops attracting 130 people last week.

Contact Energy Community liaison Neil Gillespie said they received positive and helpful comments, which are now being considered by the architect for any revisions.

The concept plans will now go on the website for further comments, followed by further engagement with Land Information New Zealand, Central Otago District Council, Old Cromwell and iwi.

Neil said the cost to enhance the Old Cromwell area and improve biodiversity vegetation along the lake edge was not finalised because the engineering designs are still unknown.

Once the plan is finalised, costed and consented, Contact Energy can make a start on the work.  Following that they will have a better idea of scope and timeline of the project.

The Old Cromwell lakeside beautification project is an effort by Contact to collaborate with the community and co-design improvements to the Kawarau Arm.

An artist's impression of what the area could eventually look like. IMAGE: Supplied

It has been accepted the lake is returning to becoming a braided river — a known consequence of the construction of the Clyde Dam, which has caused sediment build-up and driftwood, affecting access to the boat ramps and jetties, along with weed and algae odour.

Under its resource consent conditions, Contact must mitigate adverse effects caused by its generation activities on Lake Dunstan and the wider Clutha catchment.

The landscape and visual amenity management plan (LVAMP) outlines how it will achieve this, as a requirement of its resource consent.

The Otago Regional Council carried out a review of Contact Energy’s consents, the first one in 15 years.

Concept plans for the area between Butcher Dr and the Junction Lookout have been produced by Arrowtown landscape architect Blakely Wallace.