Stage One of the proposed District Plan will open for public submission this Wednesday.

“Notifying Stage One marks a pretty major milestone for the Council and community,” said QLDC District Plan Manager Matthew Paetz. “This proposed plan builds on years of community consultation and monitoring and the result sets a clear strategic direction for the future of our District. Overall, the plan is more accessible and provides property owners more certainty about what they can do with their properties,” he said.

The Proposed District Plan includes changes to help address a range of issues facing this community, including increasing visitor and resident projections, more pressure on roading networks and transport, demands on services, affordable quality housing and more awareness of the impact of natural hazards.

“Planning is like a complex jig saw puzzle, nothing can be viewed in isolation. Do something in one area and that will have implications somewhere else. Understanding those connections and striking a balance has been really important while developing this plan,” Mr Paetz said.

Also central has been a focus on social, economic and cultural factors as well as environmental.

“Many people think the Resource Management Act is only about the environment. But it's not. Social, economic and cultural wellbeing is central to the RMA and must be considered.”

Everyone that owns property in the Queenstown Lakes District has been sent a notification pack, including a fact sheet summarising the proposed changes and details about how to get involved in the process.

Cr Cath Gilmour, Portfolio Leader for Planning and Development, said: “Everyone that owns property in this district is affected by the District Plan. It sets the scene and strategy for our future and community input at this stage is crucial.”

“We’ve shortened, simplified and cut red tape while trying to protect what makes this the place we love to live. Please tell us what you support as well as what you object to, otherwise the plan could lose something that you think we got right. And try to think about it in terms of what’s good for our whole district – we need to approach these issues together, not work against each other,” she said.

Anyone needing help to understand the proposals can contact the Council. A duty policy planner will be available either on the phone or in person by appointment, every workday until submissions close.

Submissions on the proposed Queenstown Lakes District Plan close on Friday 23 October.

ENDS

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