Queenstown’s council is asking residents and ratepayers to share how they feel about their lives in the Queenstown-Lakes through the ‘Quality of Life’ survey.
Now in its sixth year, the survey, conducted by Versus Research, on behalf of Queenstown’s council, provides insight into how people feel about housing, health services, the environment, transport, employment and sense of community, among other things.
Mayor Glyn Lewers says the annual survey’s been crucial in building a long-term picture of how the district’s faring and has helped shape the long-term plan, support advocacy with government agencies and guide other projects, such as the ‘Climate and Biodiversity Plan’ and the recently-adopted ‘Joint Housing Action Plan’.
In 2022, over 1500 people took part in the survey, which found 77% of residents rated their quality of life as good or better, up marginally from 76% in 2021.
Last year’s survey also showed community satisfaction with council-run facilities was high, however, overall satisfaction with council performance was low.
It also highlighted pressing challenges such as housing, work security, disposable income and satisfaction with public transport.
‘‘A lot has happened over the past 12 months and the survey will provide an important snapshot of how people are feeling,’’ Lewers says.
‘‘It will give us a broader insight into what’s going well and what people would like to change, helping to identify priority issues, pain points and opportunities to improve the quality of life for our communities.’’
While a group of randomly-selected people from the electoral roll will receive emails or letters asking them to participate, the online survey is open to anyone who lives in the district and is aged 18 or over.
The survey, which takes about 20 minutes to complete, is available at letstalk.qldc.govt.nz/qol and is open till November 19 — all respondents will go in the draw for a $250 Prezzy Card at the end of the survey, and a $50 weekly spot prize.
Free computer/internet access will be available at the council’s public libraries, district-wide, to complete the survey for those without access to a device.
