It’s a new era for the Luggate Community Association (LCA) as its chairman of the last five years, Graeme Perkins, steps down to make way for the new chair, Dave Hawkins.

At the LCA’s annual general meeting last weekend Graeme announced his retirement from the key role, saying he would still serve on the committee.

“I've thoroughly enjoyed my time as chair for the past five years….There have been big issues in that time: the new Luggate Hall, the Wanaka Airport development, growth pressures, water, sewerage and roading issues, but I feel as a group we've made good headway,” he said.

He said the Luggate community has established a good working relationship with the Queenstown Lakes District Council.

“I feel we now have a reputation for 'getting things done'.”

Graeme said he was looking forward to a break from being at the helm and he anticipated Dave Hawkins “will do a great job for Luggate”.

Dave, who has lived in Luggate since 2012, has been an LCA committee member for almost as long and has been involved in a number of community projects as well as managing the bookings for the Luggate Hall. He was voted in as Graeme’s replacement, despite not actually attending the AGM.

In a message to the community, Dave said he had a case of “the man flu” and didn’t want to spread it amongst the LCA members.

He thanked Graeme and LCA treasurer Adrienne Taylor, who also stepped down, for their “years of sterling work” and said he would be happy if he “managed to achieve half of what they have”.

Dave also thanked the “stalwarts who have put their hat in the ring for another year” but added it was encouraging to see a few new faces joining the LCA committee, “especially some of our younger residents as it is the future of our village that we are working to improve”.

He said the LCA would continue to focus on the big issues, such as the new Luggate Hall and potential airport development and also chip away at the smaller goals, some of which have come to fruition last year, such as improving residents’ safety with footpaths and lowered speed limits.

But he also wanted to hear from more younger residents in the community.

“I really want to get younger people more involved in what’s going on here because what we’re doing is stuff that really is going to affect their lives,” he said.

The LCA’s first meeting under new leadership will be at 7:30pm next Thursday (January 28) at the temporary Luggate Hall and all residents were encouraged to come along.

In his message to the community Dave said: “If you have any suggestions for things you would like to see happening in Luggate let the committee know. But better still, join us and get your hands dirty and get involved.”

PHOTO: Supplied