Wanaka ratepayers will likely have to pay for damage to the town's lakefront caused by holidaymakers and tourists parking their vehicles illegally on grassy verges over the New Year weekend. Queenstown Lakes District (Wanaka ward) councillor Quentin Smith said he was ''really disappointed to see the level of abuse and apathy'' shown by the visitors to the Wanaka environment. The QLDC said it had increased the number and hours of parking enforcement officers in Wanaka but there were none evident in the town on New Year's Eve or yesterday. Cr Smith said it was ''great to see many in the large crowd on New Year's Eve choosing to walk into town, which made a massive difference.'' ''We love people coming here for the holidays, but please respect our home,'' he said.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 01, 2018 13:52 UTC