Media release from Phil Dunstan
24 August 2007

Phil Dunstan for Mayor

Just when you thought the fat lady was singing, Queenstown businessman Phil Dunstan announced at 11.38am today [Friday 24 August] that he will stand for Mayor of the Queenstown Lakes District Council in the local body elections.

Fifty-two year old Philip John Dunstan grew up in Queenstown and knows the region, its environment and culture inside out.

Following 15 years working with the QLDC as the former owner of Lakes Contract Services, Mr Dunstan is well acquainted with council and its inner workings, and has served the community to enhance the town’s infrastructure and community wellbeing.

He is known for his former role as Civil Defence Controller which included leading the community through Queenstown’s biggest crisis, the 1999 floods. He was the Principal Rural Fire Officer for many years, and the council’s emergency response controller.

Mr Dunstan has shareholdings in several businesses including Scope Resources Limited, a landfill management company.

“I’m at a stage of my life where I have the time, experience, commitment and, above all, the drive to bring to the welfare of this community.

“I represent a community that needs informed decisions and action from its council to manage the future growth and development of a healthy and happy community.

“We have a failing infrastructure and that’s my area of expertise. I know very well what’s required to get pipes in the ground and bitumen on our roads.

“Over the past decade we have seen incredible growth in developments and tourism. You can’t stop it, so you really have to manage it and be prepared for it.”

Mr Dunstan is known for providing strong, motivating leadership and says he would bring these qualities to the council table.

“Under strong leadership, you encourage a collaborative environment where the people of the communities within the Lakes District enjoy a genuine voice through their councillors and the Mayor.

“I believe in strong delineation between council governance and council management. The councillors’ mandate is to keep their fingers on the pulse of their community, so to speak, and work in their best interests. The management side (planning and implementation) should be carried out by council staff without interference.

“People know me as approachable and motivated, the sort of person who maintains a cool head in a crisis and leads from the front. I believe I can get the job done.”

Mr Dunstan lives in Queenstown with daughter Olivia (19), son Sam (17) and their much-loved Golden Labrador Harriet (Harry).

ENDS

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