Additional Expenditure Approved for Proposed Plan Change 50

The Queenstown Lakes District Council has approved additional expenditure to complete extra work which has been sought by the planning commissioners hearing the application for proposed plan change (PC50).

Council Chief Executive Adam Feeley said that additional assessment reports and meetings with parties submitting to the hearing had taken the plan change application beyond the original budgeted costs.

“The reality is that the Council must follow the same requirements of the Resource Management Act as any other applicant. While the unbudgeted work has added to the application costs for Plan Change 50, it is a necessary step in meeting the requirements set by the Commissioners and to maintain the integrity and independence of the plan change process.”

He added that the Council had reaffirmed its view that the development of Lakeview was an important part of reinvigorating Queenstown’s CBD, and the plan change sought would help progress this.

“Our submission to the Commissioners has been based on recognition by Council that the Lakeview site is an important community asset with potential to significantly contribute to well-planned economic growth for Queenstown’s town centre and the wider District.”

Mr Feeley said that costs would have no additional impact on the Council’s expenditure for the year.

“There will always be unplanned costs arising throughout a financial year, but equally there will be other areas where costs are not as high as budgeted. These costs will be off-set by saving elsewhere in Council operations.”

A breakdown of costs to date and additional costs approved is attached.

ENDS

Schedule_of_Costs_PC50.pdf

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