The Mackenzie District Council is applying for government funding to improve facilities at one of the country's most visited churches.
The Church of the Good Shepherd, Tekapo. Photo: 123RF
Built in 1935, the Church of the Good Shepherd, in Tekapo, is a tourist hotspot, with buses and campervans frequently visiting the historic site.
Mackenzie District Council spokesperson Garth Nixon said the council was applying for almost $300,000 in government funding to help improve facilities at the church.
Mr Nixon said there was no system to manage the vast numbers of people and vehicles, and the money would be spent on car parks and landscaping.
"People and pedestrian traffic are destroying visitor experience around the church, currently buses can pull up within 20 metres of the church, the carpark's a real mess.
"There's no means of control in and around the church, so the specialness of the church starts to disappear."
The council is expecting to hear back about its funding application in November.