Frankton Track Wastewater Upgrades

21 November 2025:

The tender for this work was awarded to McConnell Dowell.

We're now working to share more information on what to expect regarding installation of the new wastewater pipeline next year with affected parties in the area and the wider public.

You'll find the latest details below.

Main construction of the pipeline is expected to begin in mid January 2026, and will be carried out over three separate stages of work.

Crews will be working from 7.00am to 6.00pm, weekdays.

The project is expected to be complete by mid December 2026, six months faster than initially expected.

Stage 1
Mid January – mid December 2026

Working along Frankton Track from near Middleton Road through to the end of Park Street.

Stage 2
Early February – late September 2026

Working from the southern end of Frankton Beach through to Frankton Marina

Stage 3
Mid July – mid August 2026

Working along Frankton Track from near Middleton Road through to Perkins Road

Installation of the new wastewater pipeline in Stage 1 will require Frankton Track to be closed to the public from opposite Middleton Road through to the end of Park Street in Queenstown.

A pedestrian and cyclist detour will be in place using  Frankton Road. This detour will need to remain in place until approximately 6 November 2026, when Frankton Track will open for Queenstown Marathon weekend. The contractor responsible for work along Frankton Track is currently working through their traffic management plan (TMP) for the temporary detour, and will need to ensure as part of that plan appropriate interventions are in place to ensure it is safe to use.

Note: We'll need to temporarily close Frankton Track again after Queenstown Marathon weekend for final works to be completed by December 2026.

A barricade will be placed across both ends of Frankton Track to ensure pedestrians cannot access the Stage 1 worksite.

Short periods of stop/go will be required for pedestrians near Frankton Marina when crews are preparing pipes to transport into Stage 1.

Click here to expand the map.

Minor detours shifting pedestrians and cyclists closer to the lakefront will be required as part of work on Stage 2, especially when work is taking place close to Shoreline Road.

Frankton Beach carpark will also be closed for a short period of time while crews are installing the new pipeline in the area, but we’ll confirm dates closer to the time.

Frankton Marina carpark will remain open at all times, but traffic management will be required to direct vehicles around trenches at times.

Given the narrow nature and lack of footpath on Frankton Road between Middleton Road and Perkins Road, some scaffolding platforms may be installed to ensure pedestrians and cyclists can move through the area safely while the new wastewater pipeline is installed in Stage 3.

Queenstown’s population is rapidly expanding, so we’re prioritising essential wastewater infrastructure upgrades to create a more effective wastewater system.

These improvements will increase capacity in the network, boost its resilience, reduce the risk of overflows, and help to provide for the future needs of the area’s rapidly growing population.

Installing the new pipeline next to the existing sewer main running alongside Frankton Track makes these important pieces of infrastructure easier to access and maintain, making more efficient use of Council resources. Potential future maintenance will also result in less disruption to road users in the area.

Both pipelines will be operational. Lining the existing gravity-fed pipeline is a cost-effective way to increase its lifespan, but installing a new pipeline to work alongside it will take some of the wastewater flows and reduce load on the existing pipe. 

Construction is expected to begin in mid-January and run through until December 2026, six months faster than initially expected.

Given the methodology to construct the pipe (now confirmed by the successful contractor tendering for the work), this includes a significant closure to Frankton Track from opposite Middleton Road, through to the end of Park Street in Queenstown.

This closure is expected to remain in place from mid-January until early November 2026, opening for Queenstown Marathon weekend before closing again for final works to be completed by December 2026.

Closures will be clearly communicated with nearby residents and businesses, and regular users of the Track, alongside information about detours in the area.

Yes. We expect to have Frankton Track reinstated and open to the public by 6 November 2026.

It will then be closed again until December 2026 to complete final works in the area.

To install the new wastewater pipeline underneath Frankton Track and in such a narrow environment, closing the trail from opposite Middleton Road through to the end of Park Street means we can complete this work as safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively as possible.

Equipment being used to construct the trench, remove materials, and bring new material in, along with the size of the trench itself will take up close to the entire width of Frankton Track, meaning there will be no safe locations for pedestrians to pass around the work site.

In Stage 1, construction methods involve a site laydown at one end of the trail (near the Marina), where crews will then trench from to install the wastewater pipeline.

Excavated material will need to be removed from site by heading south along the trail to exit Park Street, and other material will be brought into the site from this direction too.

This process means this entire section of Frankton Track needs to be closed to keep people safe from machinery and vehicle movements, while also meaning crews can finish this work as fast as possible.

Frankton Road has both a footpath and cycle lanes clearly demarcated and already in place.

The contractor responsible for work along Frankton Track is currently working through their traffic management plan (TMP) for the temporary detour, and will need to ensure as part of that plan appropriate interventions are in place to ensure it is safe to use.

We’ll share more details on this once the TMP is approved.

We’re currently working through solutions to ensure bins on a rubbish collection day do not affect the pedestrian detour along Frankton Road.

The contractor responsible for work along Frankton Track is currently working through their traffic management plan (TMP) for the temporary detour, and will need to ensure as part of that plan appropriate interventions are in place to ensure it is safe to use.

We’ll share more details on this once the TMP is approved.

Feedback we received during prior consultations on Frankton Track indicated the natural look and feel of the pathway is important to its regular users and nearby residents. Because of this, we’ll be reinstating a compacted gravel finish for most of the track.

One section of the path running directly next to Frankton Road will be sealed for people walking and cycling.

QLDC’s Arborist has inspected the route and we anticipate needing to remove two trees (a Douglas Fir and a Sycamore) as their root systems are likely to be damaged when we excavate the trench for the new pipeline. In line with our QLDC Tree Policy, four trees will be replanted in appropriate locations nearby. These are proposed to be natives (Mountain beech) to support local ecology.

Other trees will be monitored by an arborist during construction of the pipeline as there is a chance their roots could be affected, although construction crews will follow the QLDC Tree Policy methodology to reduce the likelihood of further removals.

There are also two protected trees on the section of Frankton Track east of the Marina. Our project team is working closely with the QLDC Arborist on a plan to keep their root systems safe from damage when trenching is underway nearby. Options being considered include using a hydro-vac machine and protecting exposed roots, with an arborist on site for the duration of trenching.

In the past, we’ve engaged with the community about potential upgrades to Frankton Track, focusing on how people use the track, and what’s most important about this connection to them.

While the new pipeline under Frankton Track was part of our planned renewals process at the time, we needed to complete concepts and preliminary designs to better understand when and how this project will take shape.

The project has been listed in QLDC’s LTP, and as recent as August 2025, attempts have been made to liaise with property owners alongside Frankton Track and share wider information on the project with media. This included emails, letter drops to lakeside properties along Frankton Road, and in person meetings to individuals or organisations who requested them.

Get in touch with our Project team using the feedback form above (or click here).

We acknowledge this work and the closure to Frankton Track will cause disruption for residents and businesses nearby, and we’re keen to work with any affected to understand your access needs and how we can help deliver this project as smoothly as possible.

Our Project team is also happy to meet with affected stakeholders to hear your concerns, answer questions, and share more detailed information about the project.