It’s a six-horse race for the Queenstown mayoralty come October 8, with every indication it’ll be one of the tightest results
ever. In the second of Mountain Scene’s three-part Q&A series with our candidates, we turn our focus to those vying for the
top job
Al Angus, retired
What do you see as the single biggest issue council faces in the next term? Building trust with the community
by unblocking the information flow currently operating.
What do you think the biggest barrier is to economic diversification for the district, and how would you propose to overcome that? The total tunnel vision on tourism, although there is a major ‘‘correction’’ underway. If given the chance, this
community has the ability and incredible intelligence to sustain itself with such a myriad of solutions from movies to horticulture and
everything in between.
What are your views on CBD parking? We must stop removing carparks and start replacing them. We also need to cut down the confusing signage that’s only advantage is to the ticketing agency, that also needs to go and have a return to our council wardens.
Should council do more to encourage affordable housing in the district? Why/why not? Absolutely, to try and retain the hardworking engine room of the QLDC and keep them from leaving to buy in more affordable places, taking their much-needed skills with them.
Are you happy with the course Lakeview-Taumata is taking? Why/why not? Absolutely not. It should NEVER have been on the table for sale, swap, or lease! Does anybody really know the deal, apart from [Jim] Boult and [council chief executive Mike] Theelen? The general ratepayers certainly don’t.
Glyn Lewers, 44, structural engineer
What do you see as the single biggest issue council faces in the next term? Our immediate challenge is our labour force and ensuring we have the necessary support and infrastructure to ensure our district lives up to our reputation of providing outstanding
service to locals and visitors. However, we must not take our eye off the climate change challenge we face as a district. As a district, we have made progress in quantifying our emissions and developing a climate and biodiversity plan. I want to lead a council that will embed the actions over the next three years and make a tangible difference in reducing our emissions and enhancing our biodiversity.
What do you think the biggest barrier is to economic diversification for the district, and how would you propose to overcome that? The biggest barrier to economic diversity in my view is infrastructure and housing. A focus on the infrastructure requirements for diversification to flourish. A priority for our district is to secure a reliable power network, while also building on our arts and culture spaces and sporting facilities. Creating career opportunities for our talented kids to stay in our district. Building talent within our district by leaning on the talent that already lives here. Implementing our housing strategy so talent has a place to stay.
What are your views on Queenstown CBD parking? Parking is needed in the CBD and it is needed quickly. As an existing councillor I’ll hit the ground running in implementing some parking into Stanley Street.
Should council do more to encourage affordable housing in the district? Why/why not? I am of the view that the council does have a role to play in encouraging affordable housing. This view is because we have over 800 families on a waiting list to get
into affordable housing through the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust. The families on this list are the community volunteers and critical workers that keep this district running. I value their contribution to our community’s well-being, and I want them to be a part of the community, and affordable housing is key to that aim. As mayor, the focus will be on actioning the housing strategy developed over the last three years. No one piece of the design will deliver the results we want. They all must act together to get the best outcome for this district.
Are you happy with the course Lakeview-Taumata is taking? Why/why not? No, not at present. I think the community needs to be able to see how and why decisions are made and can speak to them. As mayor, I will focus on ensuring the social benefit objectives of mixed-use, high-density living accommodations with retail offerings within the heart of the town centre. Lakeview commits that 5% of all land receipts will be to the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust to further support those in the community that want to find an affordable home.
Jon Mitchell, 58, Massey Uni capability & leadership development manager
What do you see as the single biggest issue council faces in the next term? Rebuilding community trust in
the council and its management. Lakeview-Taumata project, inappropriate contracting, secret Wanaka Airport deals, poorly-planned
downtown Queenstown developments, high QLDC transaction costs, and shutting Wanaka Community Board out of its decision-making role, demonstrate cultural change is desperately needed. I will bring a new openness and team culture to the elected council and its management, lead quality decision-making, connect the council with leaders in the community, and open all council workshops
to the public and media.
What do you think the biggest barrier is to economic diversification for the district, and how would you propose to overcome that? The only barriers to economic diversification are the unsustainable growth of mass tourism and the affordable housing crisis. We had the fastest-growing and diversifying local economy before Covid, and do again today. There is a consensus locally and nationally that a return to ever-increasing mass tourism has to be avoided. We need to build on the rapid growth of remote working, and encourage the creative and visual arts, low-energy construction, broaden tertiary education offerings, and regional collaboration. We will do that by providing a welcoming environment for new commercial and social enterprises. It is our natural environment and recreation opportunities of the district that attract new residents and businesses.
What are your views on Queenstown CBD parking? The ill-considered removal of parking from downtown, along with the poorly-planned street beautification, inground infrastructure upgrades, and arterial route construction, has had a very negative impact on our communities, visitors, and businesses. Planning for these works should have included the provision of temporary parking on available sites in the downtown area and far better staging of construction programmes. I will push for space to be made available for hundreds of vehicles well before the summer rush begins, while we fast-track efficient public transport.
Should council do more to encourage affordable housing in the district? Why/why not? Absolutely! The biggest barrier to our communities and economy being sustainable and liveable is the failed affordable residential and seasonal worker housing market. The work of the Community Housing Trust is wonderful, but the problem is much bigger than that. I will form a Housing Recovery Taskforce of employers, agencies, and public and private housing funders, to develop immediate and longer-term solutions. Making
use of visitor accommodation and other spaces that are currently under-utilised, as well as freeing up council land for the rapid development of welcoming, secure, and safe, seasonal worker accommodation. We need to make the most of planning and rating tools to give the right signals to the market for it to transition from visitor to residential accommodation. As well as encourage the government to remove the fringe benefit tax barrier to staff accommodation.
Are you happy with the course Lakeview-Taumata is taking? Why/why not? No! I have been extremely concerned about this
project since its inception. Its disturbingly narrow commercial objectives, gross over-spend on the council’s site preparation works, the doubtful prospect of a return for ratepayers, and the secretive management of the project must be immediately reviewed. With the consent application now paused we have the opportunity for the new council to review this entire project. There is so much more that we could do with this strategic site, including recreation facilities and desperately-needed affordable housing, amongst other uses the community might want.
Daniel Shand
Did not respond by deadline
Neeta Shetty, 48, business owner
What do you see as the single biggest issue council faces in the next term? Transport/roading. This will be
the biggest challenge with our exponential growth. We must have a multi-layered approach in resolving our transport woes. With our focus on growing tourism and development, we did not factor in our infrastructure. Invest in clean vehicle infrastructure. Invest in public transport, not as an alternative means of transport; but a purposefully-built primary means of transport that is reliable, accessible and resilient. Encourage better land use strategies that focus on self-reliant communities with access to high-quality and sustainable living.
What do you think the biggest barrier is to economic diversification for the district, and how would you propose to overcome that? The biggest barrier to economic diversification is poor infrastructure. There are other significant contributors: poor governance, inadequate housing facilities and lack of community services. A functioning infrastructure and a strong community is attractive to investors in the cost-benefit model. While we talk about economic diversification, let’s not forget that we also have to rebuild our tourism sector. Our tourism industry has provided many resources to our businesses and our community. So a focus on providing an exceptional visitor experience will attract opportunities for alternative investments that encourage economic diversification.
What are your views on Queenstown CBD parking? QLDC has been underwhelming in its approach to effectively communicate the vision for the town centre. A series of uninformed changes have left our residents, businesses and tourists frustrated. The Queenstown-Lakes community is disenfranchised. Do I want parking in town? Yes, I do. If the council’s plan is to discourage vehicles in town by removing parking, what is the plan for the people that live and work in the CBD and our businesses? Council-owned carpark buildings would be a good initiative as the revenue can be used for the benefit of the community.
Should council do more to encourage affordable housing in the district? Why/why not? Yes. Our community is diverse and our housing sector must cater to include a diverse demographic. If we want sustainable growth, a strong community and our businesses to flourish we must offer a variety of options to the people that live in, work in and love our community. QLDC should partner with other organisations in the community to create a more sustainable and inclusive housing market with benefits going back into our community. The housing trust must be thoroughly supported in rendering services to the community to alleviate our housing issues. The new property tax [inclusionary zoning] could be a good initiative, if we can see tangible community benefits that will alleviate our housing crisis.
Are you happy with the course Lakeview-Taumata is taking? Why/why not? The Lakeview-Taumata development lacked
accountability and transparency from the onset. What was originally intended to be an opportunity for affordable and sustainable housing that would complement businesses and the people in town centres ended up being a monstrous development that encroaches on the aesthetics of our environment. This project had the potential of being a benchmark on sustainable communities within our region but has failed to deliver as a result of poor governance. We must encourage better land use strategies to increase development of high-density areas and town centres to accommodate growth, without compromising the integrity of our environment.
Olivia Wensley, 37, Startup Queenstown Lakes chief executive
What do you see as the single biggest issue council faces in the next term? I know for a fact the biggest
issue in this region is unaffordable housing and the lack of staff as a result. Because I have asked hundreds of locals. We need a council which will make some bold decisions to ensure there’s affordable housing. I think Airbnb is pouring fuel on the fire of the housing crisis. The new property tax, which punishes those who do new builds, is going to slow down supply and increase prices. These issues need to be tackled head on. I’m not afraid to stand up for what is right.
What do you think the single biggest barrier is to economic diversification for the district, and how would you propose to overcome that? Having a lack of economic development expertise on council. There is currently none. I’m the only mayoral candidate who is qualified in, and has been actively working on, economic diversification in this region. I have economic development connections which I have been building for years. I can hit the ground running. Through my work I’ve helped attract tens of millions of dollars into local tech and startup companies, and helped attract two film studios to set up here (one is worth $280 million alone). It’s extremely important work. It’s why I’m running for mayor — the experience I have means I can deliver on true economic diversification. We need an independent economic development agency to fully realise the awesome opportunities our region has. It can be set up in a way with minimal investment, but maximum returns.
What are your views on Queenstown CBD parking? A nightmare. Part of it is because half the parks are taken up by QLDC staff. We need to focus on urgently building affordable worker housing and parking downtown, not on the $50 million-plus ‘Project Manawa’ new civic centre that’s planned. We can’t afford a council vanity project. It’s a waste of ratepayers’ money. I got told that council staff want Project Manawa because they ‘‘deserve’’ a beautiful office. Wrong. The council staff are meant to serve the community. We must deliver the best value for ratepayers. Council offices should be moved to Frankton where it’s cheaper for the ratepayer, and it will free up a lot of downtown parking.
Should council do more to encourage affordable housing in the district? Why/why not? Absolutely. It’s currently the biggest problem in our region. It’s not just about making more supply, it’s about addressing other pressures on existing supply, e. g, Airbnb. I’m very concerned that private individuals who have bought land to build will be hit with a ‘‘new build’’ tax — e.g. a new 150 square metre home in Hanley’s Farm will cost a young family an extra $20,000. It’s so wrong. I will challenge this proposed plan change
the council has just voted to proceed with.
Are you happy with the course Lakeview-Taumata is taking? Why/why not? Absolutely not — it’s a terrible deal for the ratepayers. I don’t understand how it went so horribly wrong. We need better oversight, risk management and governance on such important deals. I am a lawyer by background and can bring a strong commercial understanding to the council table. We need to
renegotiate, if possible, and get more transparency on decision making, so that there’s a positive outcome for our community.
