The Ten Year Plan 2021-2031 has been adopted by Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) for community consultation following approval by councillors at a full council meeting yesterday (Thursday March 18).

The Ten Year Plan details the big picture of where the district is heading and how it will get there. It proposes an ambitious capital investment programme and covers all of the services council provides, as well as the projects council proposes to deliver and begin within the next ten years. 

The projects centre around climate change, delivering safe and reliable 3 waters services, meeting transport needs, a new targeted rate to fund Queenstown Town Centre projects and a proposal to increase some user fees and charges.

A draft Queenstown Lakes Spatial Plan has also been approved for consultation during the same four week period. The Queenstown Lakes Spatial Plan guides the Ten Year Plan by providing an overarching view of what residents and council want for the area.

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Members of the public have a month to provide feedback on both plans: from March 19 until April 19.

The spatial plan is underpinned by the Whaiora Grow Well Partnership, a new urban growth partnership between central government, Kāi Tahu and the QLDC. Once it is finalised, the partnership will continue to work together to deliver priority initiatives identified in the plan.

QLDC mayor Jim Boult said the draft spatial plan had been informed by community conversations between 2018 and 2020, and in close collaboration with the council’s partners.

“It will play a key role in the evolution of the district over the next 30 years. Given its importance, it is vital people throughout the community become involved and have their say on the district’s future,” he said.

Minister of housing Hon Dr Megan Woods said working in partnership was critical to address the growth pressures the Queenstown Lakes District has been experiencing. 

A consultation summary booklet for both the draft Spatial Plan and draft Ten Year Plan 2021-2031 will be distributed in the Wanaka Sun on Thursday April 1.

All the details can be found online here, or from council offices and libraries across the district.

QLDC project teams will be holding community drop-in sessions to talk about the draft Spatial Plan and draft Ten Year Plan around the district. Formal submission hearings are scheduled in Wanaka on May 4. 

PHOTO: Wanaka App