Wānaka residents want better sports facilities, a performing arts centre, and alternative funding options.

Those were the key messages delivered by more than 450 people from the Upper Clutha who made submissions on the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) draft Long Term Plan (LTP).

The draft LTP proposes a 15.6 percent average rates increase and a significantly scaled-back capital expenditure programme in order to ‘balance the books’.

Local submitters said QLDC should bring forward funding for sports, with upgrades for the Wānaka Recreation Centre and the development of sports fields at council land on Ballantyne Road coming up again and again.

Read more: Sports field shortages: Group pushes council for action

Dozens also asked for better facilities for the Upper Clutha Rugby Club and Snow Farm.

The Wānaka Performance Arts and Cultural Centre - which was not included in the draft LTP - also had significant support from submitters.

Read more: Arts community seeks urgent support for facility

Almost half of all submissions received on the draft LTP came from the Upper Clutha.

District-wide, more strong themes emerged: More than 50 percent of submitters said they wanted QLDC to pursue alternative funding options outside of rates.

Many said developers should contribute up-front to the infrastructure they benefit from; others called for a visitor levy of some sort.

“There were also comments that alternative funding options in general were needed to decrease the burden on rate payers, given the difficulties in cost of living and affordability at the moment,” a council report on the submissions said.

Other common themes from submitters included calls for better public transport and active travel opportunities and concerns over the environment and affordability.

QLDC received close to 1,000 submissions on the draft LTP. 

More than 130 submitters plan to speak to their submissions at next week’s hearing.

The hearing will take place in Queenstown on Monday (August 26) and Wānaka on Tuesday (August 27).

Tuesday’s hearing day will take place at the Lake Wānaka Centre’s Armstrong Room from 10am.

Speaking at the hearing is limited to those who have made submissions but the meetings are open to the public and they will be live-streamed.

PHOTO: Chris Searl