Members of the public have been invited to have their say on a draft Climate and Biodiversity Plan (CBP) for the next three years, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance native biodiversity, and increase community resilience to climate impacts.

The Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) draft plan said “steady progress” had been achieved six years after QLDC declared a climate and ecological emergency - “but more needs to be done”.

“The scientific evidence is clear: we must act decisively to reduce emissions, restore biodiversity, and strengthen our resilience to the changes ahead.”

The plan outlines 51 key strategic actions — from rewilding and revegetating council land to predator and trapping control, wild conifer management, and cat management initiatives.

Other proposed actions include implementing targeted investments to reduce the council’s greenhouse gas emissions, developing a robust climate risk assessment and reporting framework, and strengthening the resilience of the local food system.

QLDC resilience and climate action manager Bill Nicoll said lessons from the current CBP have been factored into the development of the new draft.  

“These include a commitment to stronger communication, storytelling and relationship building, as well as the need to continue the progress of a wide range of actions that are currently underway.”

Councillors approved the draft CBP for public consultation at Thursday’s (March 29) council meeting, with mayor Glyn Lewers describing it as “a great piece of work”.

Read the full CBP and have your say via the survey at Let’s Talk here.

Council is also asking for feedback on a second environmentally focused plan - Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2025. 

Read more: Bold vision for zero waster

Once the CBP survey closes the feedback will be taken into consideration before a final CBP is presented to council for adoption in late July.

PHOTO: Wānaka App