A stand of trees makes way for a watersports facility on the edge of Lake Wanaka’s famous Roy’s Bay. The question we should be asking ourselves – is this the thin end of the wedge. Watersports facility today – five star hotels tomorrow?
An inevitable sign of what’s to come perhaps, sadly. The projected growth in population and visitor figures from QLDC provided in 2017 are to say the least scary.
Looking at 40 years from 2018… predictions are for huge population growth across the district
- Usually resident population predicted to grow from 10,340 in 2015 to 25,357 in 2058 –15,000 more people living here. That’s twice what we have now (2018)
- Our number of visitors on an average day is due to nearly double (6517 in 2015 to 12,325 in 2058)
- Our number of visitors on a peak day is also projected to nearly double (28,897 in 2015 to 56,712 in 2058)
- Putting that into context, our peak visitor days now are close to what it could be like every day in 40 years.
- Dwellings are also due to rise –from 6412 in 2015 to 12,217 in 2058 –so as we add another 15k people we’ll add nearly 6K houses –nearly double.
Farewell paradise – Queenstown Mk II here we come.
waterworthcreative 