‘Most ambitious and bold’ longterm plan confirmed

THE Queenstown Lakes District Council has approved nearly $1 billion in spending, in a plan Mayor Jim Boult calls ‘‘the most ambitious and bold’’ the council has proposed.

There was a round of applause as councillors voted unanimously to approve the longterm plan at a full council meeting yesterday.

But Mr Boult also used the occasion to take a swipe at central government.

‘‘If I have a personal disappointment in this matter, it is the ongoing frustration we face with central government’s lack of traction in recognising the important role that our district plays as the focal point for New Zealand’s largest industry.

‘‘Our district should not have to shoulder the financial burden of this on its own.’’

Mr Boult also acknowledged Upper Clutha residents, saying that although some tough choices had to be made, the council had a ‘‘firm and comprehensive understanding of the challenges facing your part of our community’’.

In the finalised version of the plan, the average overall rates increase has dropped from 6.95% to 6.89% for 201819.

The overall rates increase over the full 10 years is 3.41%.

The council received 586 submissions, a 6% increase on submissions received for the last longterm plan. Hearings in Queenstown and Wanaka attracted 115 submitters.

The $990 million spend in cludes $326 million for the town centre master plan, which includes new parking buildings, arterial routes, cycle lanes, watertaxi infrastructure and bus priority lanes.

After a strong push from submitters, funding for active transport in Wanaka has been boosted from $2.3 million to

$3.7 million.

The council also voted to adopt its new waste minimisation and management plan.