Government opens door for Queenstown to seek tourism funds

Tourism Minister Paula Bennett has promised Queenstown special access to Government funding and resources to cope with the overwhelming costs of tourism due to its ‘‘exceptional circumstances.’’

The funds are outside of the previously announced $102 million tourism infrastructure fund

Bennett was in Queenstown the day before Budget Day to discuss the opportunity with Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult, who was concerned Queenstown would not meet the criteria to access the fund.

Bennett said Queenstown could apply to the fund but it was for things like ‘‘toilet facilities, car parking and footpaths’’

‘‘I would probably see it for more of your district than Queenstown central.

‘‘We think that there may be exceptional circumstances that might lead to us working up a business plan where...central Government is partnering with local government on some of those bigger projects that need to be done here.’’

Some of the projects would likely be special roading projects, work on the town centre and public transport.

‘‘[Queenstown is] certainly under pressures where you’ve got 39 visitors to one rate payer. Those are unique circumstances....

‘‘Queenstown is good for New Zealand so if there’s a case that stacks up then we want to look at it.’’

She said she would still not consider a visitor tax - the preferred funding mechanism for coping with the pressures of tourism growth put forward by the Queenstown Lakes District Council and Queenstown Chamber of Commerce.

Boult said he was not yet giving up the fight for a levy.

‘‘I still see that as the permanent fix but given what the Minister is now doing I’ll shut up for a while.’’

The partnership proposal was important and could involve the council, Government and the private sector, he said.

‘‘Im just delighted that we have a Minister who has listened to our case and said ‘yep I’m prepared to work with you and see what we can bring out of this’.’’

Boult said he anticipated any assistance provided to Queenstown would benefit the wider region also.

‘‘Given our international airport we are a feeder for the industry in the larger area as well so it’s really important that we remain an attractive destination for the benefit of our greater region and NZ Inc for that matter as well.’’

Bennett said the deal was not necessarily exclusive to Queenstown.

‘‘Central Government are just putting a bit more of of our own resource if you like, in the way of people, and working with the council a bit more than we are with some others at the moment.