Glenorchy calls for funding

GLENORCHY residents say they feel like the ‘‘poor relations’’ of the Queenstown Lakes District and need more funding from the council.

Longterm plan hearings, held last month, highlighted the need for a plan to deal with the town’s infrastructure issues and growing tourism pressures.

Glenorchy Community Association chairman John Glover said there had been a ‘‘huge explosion’’ of tourists in the last couple of years, which had been ‘‘a real eyeopener’’.

He wanted the council to fund a more strategic approach to addressing things like parking and traffic congestion.

‘‘We actually need to step back and say ‘what is the big picture?’’’

The town’s residents selfhelped to fund projects and asking for financial assistance was a last resort.

‘‘People in Queenstown would be horrified if they were expected to do what we do.’’

Council senior communications adviser Rebecca Pitts said the council was ‘‘acutely aware of the challenges Glenorchy and our other smaller communities are facing as a result of visitor and resident growth’’.

‘‘The council will be looking at a programme of works to help address the challenges and provide some relief for these communities.’’

The 10year plan will be adopted by the council on June 28.

daisy.hudson@scene.co.nz