Let's light up the lake at night

Regular night time activities are on the wish list for the redevelopment of Rotorua's lakefront.

Design work is set to begin and residents can expect to see a draft design by November with the council signing off a final plan by March next year.

The multi-million dollar redesign was initially announced 14 months ago and since then, Rotorua District Council staff have met with various groups including retailers, businesses, iwi, Maori trusts, lakefront tourist operators, Queen Elizabeth Hospital and developers. The public have also had have their say.

The council's parks and recreation manager, Garry Page, presented some of the ideas at the council's community parks and recreation committee meeting this week.

He told councillors there was widespread support for the redevelopment and people want it to happen as soon as possible. Submitters said the redesign should be creative and not restricted by existing structures at the lakefront.

Ohinemutu and the area north of Queen's Dr should be included in the plan and the use of thermal water be used as a "point of difference".

The redesign needed to have a tourist focus with activities both day and night.

Other suggestions included the lakefront being recognised as a destination in its own right for commercial recreation opportunities, development of the lakeside pedestrian promenade and improving the connection between the lake and the central city.

However, people did not want ratepayers to foot the bill.

The council allocated $500,000 in the 2006/2007 budget for the project, including design and consent.

At this week's meeting concerns were raised over some of the existing structures and services at the lakefront.

Councillor Russell Judd questioned what would happen with the Rotorua Soundshell as it was not used much.

Councillor Charles Sturt said the council needed "to proceed with caution" over the future of the Rotorua Soundshell as it was an important part of the city and it was not derelict.

The future of the regular craft market was also raised with Mr Sturt saying while Rotorua people may not like it, the market did attract thousands of visitors to the city.

Director of Community Services Charles Roberts said work could begin on the redevelopment as soon as the final plan was signed off and depending on the availability of funding.

"The key thing is to get something that sparks the imagination of Rotorua people."