A proposal for the Upper Clutha to form its own council has been declined, but as a result of the campaign the local council has been asked to improve communication and engagement with the Upper Clutha community and address the allocation of budgets across Wānaka and Queenstown. 

On Monday (December 18) the Local Government Commission (LCG) announced it will not investigate the option of separating the Upper Clutha from the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) and forming a new council.

Wānaka resident Dean Rankin had asked LGC to consider creating a separate council for the Upper Clutha. 

LGC said there was insufficient evidence that such a move would promote good local government or enable or facilitate improvements to local governance.

Read more: ‘More of the same’? ‘Wrexit’ proposal rejected by LGC

However, LGC recommended that QLDC work with the Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board and Dean to improve communication, engagement, and transparency of information.

Increased delegated decision-making power and a budget may be on the cards for the community board (pictured; John Wellington is absent). PHOTO: Wānaka App

It should consider regular meetings and other council activities be held in the Upper Clutha area, with a view to developing a stronger relationship between QLDC and the Upper Clutha. 

It also recommended council work with the community board to develop “measurement tools for assessing the allocation and prioritisation of council resources, projects and budgets across the district, with a view to ensuring that there is an equitable balance of resources, projects and budgets across the district”; and to explore options for further empowerment of the community board, including increased delegated decision-making power and provision of a budget for projects or activities in the Upper Clutha.

Mike Theelen said he looks forward to looking at areas for improvement. PHOTO: Supplied

QLDC chief executive Mike Theelen said the council welcomed the decision.

“Council acknowledges that opportunities to enhance established processes always exist – there’s always room for improvement – and looks forward to engaging more on these in the New Year,” he said.

“Several of the LGC’s suggestions align closely with those made by council earlier in process, and some reflect changes already underway. 

“One example is our investment in digital systems that has enabled greater and more effective use of council venues in the Upper Clutha such as full council and committee meetings held earlier this month at the Lake Wānaka Centre,” he said.

Read the LGC’s full statement here.