A pivotal year for local authorities across New Zealand.

Queenstown Lakes District Council Chief Executive, Adam Feeley, said today that changes to the Local Government Act had made 2012/13 a pivotal year for local authorities across New Zealand.

“Councils have been directed to get back to the basics of delivering cost-efficient and good quality core services such as water and roading infrastructure and community services, and in this regard our organisational review has resulted in improved financial performance; reduced debt levels; and much higher resident satisfaction.”

QLDC’s Annual Report, adopted yesterday at the final Council meeting before local elections, documents the improved financial management which resulted in a slimmed-down and refocused organisation capable of delivering a zero rates increase for 2013-14.

Highlights for the year include:

· 0% increase in rates from improved financial management;

· A $21m reduction in debt against 10 year forecasts;

· An $11.4m surplus

· A 6.2% increase in overall public satisfaction with the Council (to 85%); including:

· $330k reduction in annual accommodation costs as a result of office rationalisation;

· full integration of Lakes Leisure and Lakes Environmental back into QLDC with consequential governance and back-office savings;

“This result shows that local government can deliver good quality services to residents while still reducing operating costs and managing long term debt,” Mr Feeley said.

The Annual Report also notes good progress on several major projects, including the Wanaka Sports Facility, Project Shotover and the Queenstown Convention Centre, as well as the completion of the $3.2 million refurbishment of the Memorial Hall (Council contribution $992,000).

The proposed extension of the Queenstown Event Centre has been deferred until 2016-17 and $4.4 million of expenditure relating to water supplies has also been delayed or deferred. Several roading projects have been pushed back, including the proposed $3.5 million Frankton Flats arterial road. The deferral of these and other projects has saved the Council $21 million in borrowing compared with what was originally forecast in the Ten-year Plan.

Mr Feeley said that the Council’s 2012-13 survey showed resident and ratepayer satisfaction increased to a near-record 85 percent, which he said underscored the importance of delivering cost-savings while maintaining “good value-for-money services”. Councillors expected that the organisation would continue to make savings across all operations, without compromising service.

The Annual Report contains full financial statements as well as details on the delivery of all the Council’s services and activities, and has received an unqualified report from the Auditors. The draft report is online at www.qldc.govt.nz and the final version will be uploaded within days.

ENDS

© Scoop Media