A bumper meeting of the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) will take place today (Wednesday June 30), marking the end of the financial year.

The agenda includes the final draft of the Long Term Plan (LTP) - the blueprint for investment in the district's infrastructure and services over the next decade; the Queenstown Airport Corporation statement of intent; an update on the representation review for the district; and the annual performance review of council chief executive Mike Theelen.

A range of changes were made to the LTP following community consultation, including funding for a youth and community facility for Wanaka, fast-tracked active transport, and a bigger emphasis on climate change mitigation.

The LTP includes an average rates increase of 5.45 per cent this financial year (from July 1 2021 - June 30 2022) - up from the average 4.56 per cent increase originally signalled in the draft plan. 

Read more: Funds for community facility, active transport in updated LTP

The item on the QAC statement of intent (SOI) recommends councillors agree to the draft SOI, which most notably has been amended to reflect the setting aside of the Wanaka Airport lease to the QAC as the result of the recent judicial review decision that the lease was unlawful.

Read more: Council to repay QAC $14.1M

The recent recommendations of the district’s representation review advisory group will also be considered. The group proposed that the current Wanaka Ward be renamed the Wanaka-Hāwea Ward; that there be four councillors (there are currently three) for that ward; and that the Wanaka Community Board be dismantled.

Staff are recommending that the proposals be open to submissions from July 5 to August 6. 

Read more: Group recommends WCB be abolished

Council chief executive Mike Theelen’s performance for the past year will be reviewed before the end of July, and council staff have recommended councillor Penny Clark join mayor Jim Boult and deputy mayor Calum Macleod on the performance review committee. An independent external facilitator will also be a member of the committee.

The council meeting will take place today (Wednesday June 30) at the council chambers in Queenstown at 1pm.

PHOTO: QLDC