A decision on whether to give the green light to a Queenstown visitor accommodation levy is expected within the next couple of weeks.
In a statement, Urban Development Minister Phil Twyford says Cabinet will consider the council’s call for a visitor accommodation levy in the coming weeks.
“Officials will then develop policy options for how such a levy could be implemented,” he says.
A referendum on the issue gained 81.17 per cent support from Queenstown Lakes District residents and ratepayers.
After the provisional count, mayor Jim Boult said the result “unequivocally” sent a “definitive message” from the community.
Meanwhile, Twyford also says the government is working closely with council on a proposed 10-year sustainable growth plan, which would provide “much-needed infrastructure”.
A spokeswoman for Twyford says he can’t give any more details on the plan until a decision is made on the levy issue.
– DAISY HUDSON
