No issues on file for Annette Dalziel.
No issues on file for Mel Gazzard.
- Reduction of projected debt, without stripping the community bare,and economic growth. We are a district of innovators, but we must seek diversity to escape the boom and bust cycles of tourism and realty.
- Ensuring proper process - so that Council and the organisations we supposedly control make decisions wisely, democratically and for the best interests of our community long-term. In my mind,
the way in which the airport was sold was not proper process. - Setting our strategic vision. As a council last term, we did not have one single "strategic vision" session. If we have no idea of where we want to go, how do we get there? The result of having no end goals in mind is ad hoc, directionless decision-making, lack of sustainability, wasted money and time. I'm talking task forces, not talk fests, so we as a community can work out the directions we want to go, the kind of community and town centres we want, and how to best achieve this within the resources we are prepared to spend.
- To care for our environment. What we do with our landscape, our sewage, our rubbish, our streetscapes, our developments and our transport networks all have an impact. We can make the most of it, or a mess of it.
- To be a place where people put down roots and belong. A thriving community is a good place to live, to work, to play, to bring up children and to grow old. Affordability, community connections, networks and facilities are all integral. This also means being a community that takes an active part in planning its progress, because people feel they are being listened to and that they have a stake in where they live.
No issues on file for John Mann.
- Council Debt and Operating Expenses.
There is an urgent need to get Council debt and operating expenses under control.
Capital projects must be prioritised. Council's core functions centre around infrastructure. Wishlist projects must be deferred.
Operating expenses need to be reviewed to ensure we are getting value for money.
A private sector approach to spending is required. - Council Governance.
Better governance is required.
The Councillors role is to consult, strategise and make decisions in the best interests of the community.
Council staff have an important role to play in advising Councillors and implementing decisions made by Council.
When the line is blurred, frustrations and inefficiencies occur and the result is poor prioritising. - Queenstown Airport Share Issue.
The QAC issue has split the community. It is very difficult at this stage to form a clear opinion because very few people are privy to all the information.
Once the newly elected Council is in place it must obtain ALL the information and work out how to deal with this very complex issue. - Long Term Vision.
Queenstown Lakes faces massive growth in projected population and visitor numbers.
Council must plan infrastructure with these projections in mind, and this is difficult for a relatively small ratepayer base.
We need to find clarity about what we want our community to be like in the future and develop a plan to achieve this.
A critical component of the vision must always be environmental sustainability.
The current 10 year plan is not sustainable. Other revenue streams must be developed. - Economic Development.
Council must create an environment in which our people and businesses can prosper.
By forming an Economic Development body Council can tap into the pool of talented and successful people in the district and come up with ways to diversify our economy further.
By encouraging industries which are in sync with our vision and which follow the 100% pure philosophy, this body can create opportunities for people of all ages.
Industries such as events, education and film come to mind to supplement our fundamental tourism and adventure industries.
No issues on file for Kevin Peterson.
No issues on file for Simon Stamers-Smith.
No issues on file for Preston Stevens.
- Open Democracy & Responsible Governance
- Community focus
- Environment & Planning
- Infrastructure
- History & Heritage
No issues on file for Trevor Tattersfield.
- Rates
When you last voted for your local council, Queenstown’s debt was approximately $30 million. It’s now in the vicinity of $100 million and growing rapidly. This is your debt and money to pay it comes out of your pocket. This is why your rates increased by 8.5% in 2009 and another 9% this year. Can you afford to keep funding a Council who spends like this? I know I can’t. But there are alternatives. We could and should be the richest council in NZ and I reckon I have just the plan to do it.
We need to find a way for tourists to contribute a fairer share of the cost of our infrastructure.
Don’t get me wrong, I am 100% pro-tourism. It’s the best thing to happen to this region and I’m all for further growth in the tourism sector. I just think it’s unfair to expect ratepayers to bear the financial burden alone. The smart move would be to require tourists to pay their fair share and when elected, I will investigate ways of doing this. - Airport Sale
When elected to QLDC, I intend to oppose any further inroads by Auckland International Airport Limited. Queenstown should retain control of its own airport, which is a vital gateway into our area.
I maintain an open mind about everything and if facts should emerge to lead me to believe that secret deals behind closed doors are how Councils should conduct business, then I will maintain my open mind and attempt to persuade my fellow councillors that the public has a right to know. - Kawarau Bridge
I believe the state of the Kawarau Bridge is a detriment to our community. As a gateway to Queenstown, it lets us all down. Do we really want to give visitors an adventure they didn’t expect by making them drive over that dreadful bridge? Worse, as a vital link between residents in Kelvin Heights and Queenstown, it’s dysfunctional. A one lane bridge is woefully inadequate to service the 350,000 vehicles crossing it every year. This must be addressed and soon. - Resource Consents
Local builders tell me approximately 12.5% of the price of building a new house consists of local body charges. I think this is excessive and will lobby to reduce these fees. The cost of Resource Consents is out-of-hand and I will attempt to curb this. - Transparency in Council Dealings
We need more transparency in all Council dealings in general and in fees paid to consultants hired by the QLDC in particular. I’ve been informed that these have exceeded $17m per annum. We deserve more accountability.
No issues on file for Geoffery Wilson.
