Ward proposal going to QLDC

THE Queenstown Lakes District councillors will be asked to consider retaining three wards for elected representation at their full meeting in Wanaka on Thursday.

Under the proposal, the wards would comprise QueenstownWakatipu (six councillors); Wanaka (three councillors) and a slightly larger Arrowtown ward (one councillor).

It was proposed that the Arrowtown ward’s boundaries take in McDonnell Rd ‘‘and the area of Millbrook and its environs’’.

Council electoral officer Jane Robertson said following a public submission process and hearings it was recommended the council approve the proposal, unchanged.

‘‘We received 37 submissions in total with the majority supporting the proposal.

‘‘This is a good indicator that the community is comfortable with how it is being represented by elected members,’’ Ms Robertson said.

The Wanaka Community Board would also be retained, comprising four elected members and three Wanaka ward councillors appointed by the council.

If approved, a monthlong appeals and objections process would begin, to close on October 8.

After that, the proposal and any appeals or objections would be referred to the Local Government Commission for a final decision due to the size of the Arrowtown ward being noncompliant with Local Electoral Act rules for fair representation.