Gardens flood mitigation

The continued threat by Lake Wakatipu to a 200m section of the Queenstown Garden’s shoreline and walking track is a problem in need of a solution, Queenstown Lakes District Council parks manager Gordon Bailey said.

Before the Council took any action on potential mitigation, it wanted to hear the community view, he said.

“The section is effectively the area behind the skating rink. Over time, high lake levels have seriously undermined the tree roots of several large specimens and eaten into the bank that supports part of the heavily used Queenstown Gardens trail,” Mr Bailey said.

Damage to the trees, some of which were on the point of falling into the lake, and the threat to the track, invited consideration of some kind of extension to the rip rap flood protection wall placed at the head of the gardens peninsular, after the 1999 flood.

“In the ensuing years wave action associated with high lake levels has severely impacted on the exposed section of shoreline. It is clear something needs to happen but we would like public opinion to shape any response,” Mr Bailey said.

Any solution had the potential to incorporate the trail itself in an innovative way.

“Potentially we could create more of a lake edge feature, bringing the trail out to run across the top of any potential structure,” Mr Bailey said.

Alternatively the community might favour a more minimal approach to the problem.

“Once we get a steer from the community we will then need to look at cost and consent issues,” Mr Bailey said.

Questions and comments regarding mitigation should be sent to services@qldc.govt.nz with the subject line ‘Gardens’ or mailed to ‘Gardens’, c/o QLDC, Private Bag 50072, Queenstown 9348. Comment should be with Council by Friday 30 November, 2012.