Review ‘top priority’
Southland District councillors have urged staff to get on with a review into the sustainability of Stewart Island, declaring it a ‘‘high priority’’.
In December, the council ditched a proposal to hike the Stewart Island visitor levy from $5 to $15 to boost funds for tourism-related services on the island. The $5 levy has raised more than $750,000 since it was introduced in 2013.
The decision to not increase the levy came after a robust consultation period, in which 120 businesses or individuals put submissions to council mostly opposing the increase.
The council agreed to put the levy on hold while a review was carried out around who paid for what and the island’s financial future. The review was expected to cost $50,000.
Cr Gavin Macpherson said he believed the review could back the call to increase the visitor levy to $15. ‘‘This review could uncover a substantial amount of district funding that is going to the island. If it does I would see it as a very good reason to increase the visitor levy.’’
Council chief executive Steve Ruru told yesterday’s meeting the hope was to have the review completed by June 30. However, he said given the level of work required, that date might have to be pushed back.
Many councillors wanted it completed by June 30 to help put the visitor levy debate to bed.
Cr Ebel Kremer asked Ruru what was needed to ensure that June 30 target was met.
‘‘A. Do you think it is enough money? B. Do we need to put additional resources in to try hit that June date? It is important.
‘‘If we want it done let’s put the resources in. I would hate to sit here in eight months time and not achieve what we wanted . . . This is high priority,’’ Kremer said.
Ruru said they needed to engage with outside contractors on what can be done and when.
Mayor Gary Tong agreed the review should be a top priority. ‘‘I’m sure the chief executive has heard we need this done as soon as possible,’’ Tong said.
Cr Bruce Ford, who is also on the Stewart Island Community Board, backed the call for the review to take place as soon as possible. ‘‘We need to know those numbers,’’ he said.
Cr Brian Dillon asked if the visitor levy could be used to pay for the $50,000 review but Ruru said the levy money was not permitted to be used for such a review.
‘‘The wrong people are paying for the review,’’ Dillon said.
Mayor Tong said the inference that other people within the Southland District would be paying for a review into Stewart Island was not right.
Council staff said there was an opportunity to look into funding from the Ministry of Business and Employment, while the Stewart Island Community Board could potentially contribute funds through a loan from its Jetties Subcommittee.
‘If we want it done let’s put the resources in. I would hate to sit here in eight months time and not achieve what we wanted.’
Cr Ebel Kremer