A draft economic diversification plan developed by Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) alongside local businesses and industry experts has been shared for public feedback.

Councillor and local business owner Matt Wong said the draft plan - ‘New pathways to a thriving future’ - aims to support the diversification work already happening across the district.

“A variety of local businesses and individuals are already creating income streams outside of traditional core sectors like tourism and construction, and this in turn is nurturing a new range of suppliers and associated businesses supporting them,” Matt said. 

“This new plan aims to boost these innovations further, creating a local economy better able to withstand potential disruption and capitalise on new opportunities.”

QLDC economic development manager Peter Harris said the draft plan proposes a key project with three strategic pillars, each with its own objectives and supporting projects.

“The intent behind the keystone project is to acknowledge the international experience and outlook of our locals and how this can be channelled for the benefit of businesses across the district and wider region,” he said. 

“The three pillars then outline the need to, respectively, create the conditions that will help retain and attract diverse businesses, build on the district’s tourism expertise to grow related sectors like film and screen, and foster new niche industries.”.

“With tourism and construction currently so dominant, change will take time but it’s really encouraging to see some amazing businesses flourish outside these sectors and there are many other people keen to support them to grow. 

‘Fresh opportunities will inspire budding junior entrepreneurs and encourage homegrown talent to remain in the district.”

The draft plan sits alongside the district’s regenerative tourism plan ‘Travel to a thriving future’ and the Queenstown Lakes Spatial Plan. Together, these will form the economic development strategy, Peter said.

QLDC is hosting a lunchtime webinar to provide more insight into the draft plan, at 12.30pm on Tuesday November 21. 

During the seminar, Peter will be joined by Benje Patterson, a local economist specialising in regional economies, QLDC strategy and policy general manager Michelle Morss, and Patrick McVeigh, People and Places Lead at consultants MartinJenkins. 

Public feedback on ‘New pathways to a thriving future’ closes on December 8 with the final plan expected to be presented to councillors in early 2024. ­­­

Full details on the plan, as well as a webinar registration link can be found here.