An opportunity for public input into a proposal for Hotop's Rise had ended with a potentially positive resolve, Queenstown Lakes District Council chief executive Duncan Field said.

The road reserve skirts the Queenstown Gardens and is heavily used as a walking track link, to and from the Central Business District.

Last night's meeting attracted 60 members of the community to listen to a proposal being promoted by the Queenstown Resort College, which is near completion.

The community services committee of Council had already turned down the College's proposal to relocate the walking track and place a terrace and access steps over the reserve, totaling 60 square metres, but felt the matter should be debated by the community. The College had offered $150,000 towards landscaping the reserve.

"Last night the developer informed the meeting that the terrace was no longer being sought, however a one metre wide strip, 12 square metres in total, to allow for a step access into the college was still desired,' Mr Field said.

The meeting also heard about the plans to upgrade the walkway, at the cost of the developer, with improvements to the surface of the track, a winter railing installed, better lighting, some additional landscaping and signage to mark the track.

'The architect has offered to demonstrate the proposed encroachment on Monday morning at 10am, on site. The community is not only welcome but encouraged to come and give feedback,' Mr Field said.

If the feedback over the minor encroachment was agreeable then the matter would return to the community services committee for its consideration.

ENDS

For further information please contact Duncan Field 441 0499.

By: Tamah