A regular update from Wanaka Community Board chair Barry Bruce

A lot can change in a year. Twelve months ago we were watching the global pandemic unfold, unsure how and when we would see our international loved ones. This week, we excitedly welcomed the trans-Tasman bubble opening and a new Air New Zealand route to Tasmania, its first in more than two decades. With our little bubble comes a great deal of opportunity for the Upper Clutha and I’m sure you’ll share in my excitement as we welcome visitors back to the region.

Kids ready to paint underpass mural

Keep an eye out on May 4 as students from Te Kura O Take Kārara School will be painting a mural on the town’s new underpass. Guided by local artist Chrissy Wickes and principal Jodie Howard, this has been a project months in the making and has been supported by the council, community board, Waka Kotahi NZTA and Mitre 10. If you’re out and about near the underpass, please make sure to dismount and go slowly as you observe the talented students painting this masterpiece. 

Mt Iron wildfire preparedness

Over the past few months FENZ, Emergency Management Otago, QLDC, DOC and SCION have been working on a multi-agency risk reduction project to raise awareness and promote improved preparedness around the risk of wildfire on Mt Iron. 

A community response group is now being formed that includes passionate volunteers who are willing to volunteer their time to help ensure that their local community is ready and prepared for any emergency. The project is bringing together the latest research into wildfire mitigation and involves work streams that are focused on risk reduction, vegetation management, supporting community readiness planning and effective community alert systems. More information and project updates will be publicly available shortly, keep an eye out.

Wanaka Community Board news 

If you are interested in meeting the Wanaka Community Board and joining us for a cup of tea, come along to the next drop in session on Wednesday May 5 from 12.00pm to 1.00pm, at Wanaka Recreation Centre. This is a great opportunity for an informal chat or a discussion about something within the community. 

Keen on finding out more about how the Wanaka Community Board operates and what decisions it makes? Join our next community board meeting, to be held on Thursday May 13 at 10.00am at the Lake Wānaka Centre. Following community engagement and recent hearings on the draft Hāwea Domain - Reserve Management Plan, the board will be presented with a recommendation of approval from the hearing panel.

Lastly, Stage two of the Wanaka Lakefront redevelopment detailed design is nearing completion and the board is looking forward to sharing this with the community soon.