Locals are once again being asked to share their views on the future development of their community as the council starts another round of “community engagement” next week on yet another plan. 

Facilitated workshops for the council’s Spatial Plan will be held in Luggate, Hawea and Wanaka as well as throughout Wakatipu during the next four weeks. 

The Spatial Plan workshops follow more planning workshops held earlier this year, where locals in Hawea, Luggate, Albert Town and Makarora were invited to share their views on the future vision of their district.

Named “My Place”, those workshops were an opportunity to discuss community growth, housing, land-use and issues such as climate change and contributed to the statutory review of the council’s District Plan.

The council said the Spatial Plan workshops have been designed to build community consensus on three key areas: the role people see their town playing in the district over the next 30 years; prioritising the facilities and services desired; and ranking the importance of five “outcomes”, including growth, housing, public transport, active travel, business, industry and sustainable tourism. 

Ratepayers are also paying for a “community vision” entitled, “A Unique Place, An Inspiring Future| He Wāhi Tūhāhā, He Āmua Whakaohooho”. The process, announced by the mayor in August last year, is to facilitate the development of a community vision looking at life beyond 2050. 

Wanaka also has the Wanaka Masterplan, which comprises the town centre development plan and a transport, active travel and parking strategy; the Lakefront Development Plan, which includes town centre development and parking; the Wanaka Recreation Centre and swimming pool masterplan; and a Sport & Recreation Facility Strategy.

All this planning doesn’t come cheap: QLDC staff numbers have ballooned from 392 to 452 in 12 months and the QLDC has admitted to spending more than $50M on consultants over the same period. The rates set for this financial year have climbed to an average increase of 8.95 per cent.

The Spatial Plan Workshop Roadshow begins in the Upper Clutha with the Luggate community and a free workshop at Warbirds & Wheels, Wanaka Airport, on Thursday October 24 from 6:30pm - 8:30pm.

It will be followed by another workshop at the Lake Hawea Community Centre on Tuesday, October 29, from 6:30 -8:30pm; and a third in Wanaka at the Lake Wanaka Centre on Monday, November 4 from 6:30pm - 8:30pm.

PHOTO: Wanaka App