Yee-ha for Holy Family
INSIDE THIS WEEK
Wild west night saddles up school funding.
Views: Page 17 Jobs: Page 19 Sport: Page 20
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The Wānaka Ski and Snowsports Club We look back over some of Treble Cone’s history.
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Pay rise for council chief
Latest updates surrounding Queenstown Airport Abby Costen
newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz
Following concerns raised in public forums which took place during multiple Queenstown Lake District Council (QLDC) meetings, the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA) has confirmed risks associated with air transport and public safety for Queenstown Airport are being “well-managed”. Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC), which has the primary role of assisting QLDC in its “overarching requirement to provide good quality infrastructure”, has now supplied supportive feedback on QLDC’s draft climate action plan. “QAC is committed to doing its part to achieve the goals of net zero carbon emissions and net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. We are conscious of the importance of offsetting the impacts of our business activities at Queenstown and
Wanaka airports on climate change and want to lead the way in our sector in this critical area,” said the report. “We are committed to a long-term strategy of saving energy, reducing waste and reducing carbon emissions from our business activities supported by detailed measurement, clear targets and robust reporting. We are also implementing an environmental management system, which includes an energy management plan and carbon mapping.” Notably, airports are not responsible for carbon emissions from aircraft--those are the responsibility of airlines. QLDC has also announced progress on the Statement of Intent (SOI) from Queenstown Airport Corporation for 2019 is to be put on pause until after the 2019 October local body election for the new council to resolve.
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Emma Conyngham
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
Councillors have approved a reviewed remuneration package for Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) Chief Executive, Mike Theelen. Councillors approved a 2019-2020 salary for Mr Theelen of $356,619 per annum. The 2.4 percent increase is within QLDC’s approved remuneration review guidelines. According to State Services Commission, a CEO or managing director of a public service organisation can earn anywhere from $120,000 to $700,000. Mayor Jim Boult confirmed that meeting the challenges faced by this council, and its chief executive in particular, continued to be a responsibility that were reflected in the new salary approved at last Thursday’s full council meeting. “This district is the premier visitor destination in Aotearoa New Zealand, and understandably this brings with it challenges. Delivering the services and infrastructure needed for an average day population of 64k visitors and residents takes a team that is dedicated to the community and bringing their best every single day. Building a team like that can only happen with the leadership of someone like Mike at the helm,” said Mayor Boult. “I would like to add my personal thanks and acknowledgment of Mike’s leadership,” said Mayor Boult. Mr Theelen joined QLDC as chief executive in QLDC chief executive Mike Theelan. February 2016.
PHOTO: QLDC
Go with Tourism set to launch in Queenstown Abby Costen
newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz
‘Go with Tourism’, an online platform which matches tourism employers to potential employees, is set to make its debut in the Queenstown Lakes District this October. General manager of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) Steve Armitage said, “we want to attract more people to work in the industry because tourism generates $39.1 billion for the New Zealand economy.”. “‘Go with Tourism’ was one of a number of initiatives aimed at addressing ongoing labour supply issues in the district” said Queenstown Lake District Council (QLDC) economic development advisor Sharon Fifield. Fifield added, “By working with other regions, our district
can expand the talent pool, provide opportunities for candidates wishing to develop their skills and potentially reduce our district’s reliance on those with short-term visas.”. To ensure a clear future career path for candidates, employers are required to offer a living wage within three years of employment and a sustainable growth role within their company. QLDC media and channels advisor Jack Barlow said, “Go with Tourism will benefit tourism employers across the entire Queenstown Lakes District. This includes Wānaka; a dropin session will be held for interested employers at QLDC’s Wānaka office on Ardmore Street between 10am and 12pm this Thursday, 19 September. Employers can register their interest for this session by emailing kiaora@gowithtourism.co.nz.” Find out more at gowithtourism.co.nz.
Submissions open for Proposed District Plan Emma Conyngham
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
The District Plan is a set of objectives and rules that guide and enable land use and development in our district over the next ten years. Today, Thursday, September 19, Stage Three of the proposed District Plan will open for public submissions. A wide range of topics will be covered. They include general industrial zone; townships (settlement zone); Three Parks; Wāhi Tūpuna (sites of significance to iwi); 100 Ballantyne Road active sport and recreation zone, and design guidelines for residential and business mixed use zones. QLDC planning and policy manager Ian Bayliss said the public submission stage would give Queenstown Lakes District residents a chance to shape the future of their community. “The district plan assists land users and council staff in determining what can be developed and where, while retaining and protecting what’s important to our community,” Mr Bayliss said. The Townships Zone affects Hāwea, Albert Town, and Makarora. These places provide unique living opportunities, and the district plan’s settlement zone chapter proposes a
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number of changes to future-proof these communities and ensure the rules applied are still relevant. “Under the proposed changes we’re aiming to retain the unique characteristics of the different townships,” Mr Bayliss said. “However, we’re also determined to ensure they adapt and thrive as communities evolve. This is an opportunity for residents to think about what their towns could look like from a residential zoning perspective – for example, what type of density housing they would be comfortable with.” The Local Government Act, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and the Resource Management Act. For many of the topics addressed in this stage of the review, the conversation began in February 2019 with the My Place roadshow which visited most of the district’s townships. All property owners within the Queenstown Lakes District will be sent a notification pack, including a fact sheet summarising the proposed changes and details about how to get involved in the process. The information will also be available on the QLDC website: www.qldc.govt.nz/proposeddistrict-plan-stage-3. The submission period for the proposed Queenstown Lakes District Plan closes on Monday 18 November.
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Wild west night saddles Local bridge players up school funding dominate tournament ALLISON MCLEAN
journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz
Taking a page from a western novel, Wānaka delivered a memorable night out earlier this month, raising $8000 for Holy Family Catholic School (HFCS). The Pembroke Wild West event was a social night for about 100 guests who visited the recently refurbished Pembroke Pavilion, which was adorned with hay bales, saddles and a saloon-style moonshine bar. Friends of the School (FOTS) chair Sarah Jamieson said, “Alongside the fundraising efforts, our goal was to create a fun, social night out for the parents and our friends from the wider local community, and, from the feedback we received, we definitely achieved that,” she said. “We were thrilled to see everyone get into the theme, arriving in their best country and western dress-up, which only added to the wild west atmosphere.” She added, “As a small school, we appreciate the support we receive from the Wānaka community with events like this, especially with sponsorship or donations of auction items from local businesses.” The money raised will be used for a new luggage trailer for HFCS’s new community-use van and also to fund the school’s Kapa Haka uniforms. The school’s Kapa Haka group, led by HFCS teachers Janis Sandri and Kirsten Scott with assistance from Mount Aspiring College Kapa Haka’s Ayla Smalls, usually perform within the school as well as at Polyfest and the Uruuruwhenua Festival. Sandri said, “The group is very excited about getting custom designed uniforms as they usually perform in their school
PHOTO: supplied
(left to right) Marc Simmonds and Mark Harry, winners of the Wānaka intermediate pairs bridge tournament held last Sunday.
ALLISON MCLEAN
journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz PHOTO: Supplied
HFCS parents, Dan Bogue and Kirstin Renda, at the Pembroke Wild West night on September 7.
uniform. We are very grateful to FOTS and the Wānaka community for their recent fundraising efforts, which will contribute to these uniforms.” Tickets for HFCS’s house tour on November 2 are now on sale, and plans for the school’s major annual fundraiser this January, the Craigs Aspiring Art Prize, are well underway.
Cromwell’s repair café coming here soon
Bridge club players from Wānaka and Cromwell clubs came out on top in the Wānaka intermediate pairs bridge tournament last Sunday. Mark Harry and Marc Simmonds, both from Wānaka, won the tournament with an average score of 60.36 percent across the two sessions of play. They played consistently throughout the tournament, scoring 61 percent in the morning session and 60 percent
in the afternoon session. Wānaka’s Lesley Davies and Cromwell’s Andrew McLennan trailed closely behind Harry and Simmonds with an average of 59.33 percent. Davies and McLennan led the field after the first session of play with a round of 70 percent, but they dropped away in the afternoon session. Wānaka’s Carolyn Field and Jen Milburn placed third with an average of 58.70 percent. The top junior pair at the tournament were John Schwarz and Neil Robinson, both from Wānaka.
QLDC drafting bill for visitor levy Abby Costen
newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz
Following the results of a non-binding referendum held in June this year, Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) plans to draft a local bill to establish legislation to introduce a visitor levy on short-term visitor accommodation. Eightyone percent of voters supported the proposal as an alternative revenue stream to contribute to funding a 30-year sustainable growth plan to create pressing infrastructure. The non-binding referendum was carried
out to test local community support for a 5 percent visitor levy on short-term room rates, to be gathered by accommodation providers including peer-to-peer providers like Air BnB. QLDC mayor Jim Boult said, “Our significant growth pressures and increased visitor numbers put a huge strain on local infrastructure and our ability to support growth in Queenstown Lakes through rates alone is simply not possible. Such a cost threatens to undermine the wellbeing of our communities”. The local bill is expected to be introduced to parliament in 2020.
PHOTO: supplied
Connect Cromwell community liaison George Affleck and Repair Café volunteers Ray Purdue and Rhys Smith of Cromwell Youth Trust, and Ruth Eley helping to promote the upcoming repair café event.
Abby Costen
newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz
Cromwell Rugby Club Rooms is hosting a repair café style event on September 22 from 10am to 4pm to help people fix their broken household items for free. Skilled volunteers signed up to assist at the Sunday event include a joiner and cabinet maker, two handymen, a seamstress and two sewers. Connect Cromwell community liaison George Affleck said, “We will fix as much stuff as we possibly can and we hope people will come for afternoon tea to see how we are getting on. It’s just a gold coin donation for that as a school fundraiser.” When asked whether the community-owned enterprise would consider organising a similar event in Wanaka, Wastebusters
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communications coordinator Ruth Blunt said, “We recently received funding for our Resourceful Communities project from the Ministry for the Environment Waste Minimisation Fund which gives us a fantastic opportunity to work with our communities to reduce and reuse their waste. As part of that project, Wastebusters is planning to hold repair cafés next year in Wanaka, Central Otago and Queenstown, for repairs to things like small electrical goods, clothes, furniture, bikes and toys.” Blunt added, “Planning for that is still in the early stages, but in the meantime we’re carrying out some research into the barriers people face when trying to cut down on waste.” Wastebusters is calling for locals to get involved and give feedback via the survey link on its Facebook page —complete the 5-10 minute survey to be in with a chance of winning a $150 dinner voucher. THURSDAY 19.09.19 - WEDNESDAY 25.09.19
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Share your spring crafts
Sun News
PAINTBALL PAINTBALL CENTRAL CENTRAL CROMWELL
PHOTO: supplied
New trees planted by the community at Wren Street Reserve in Riverside Park, Albert Town. PHOTO: supplied
Wānaka Garden Club members Liz Buggs and Rochelle Parkhill preparing for the group’s annual spring show.
Abby Costen
newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz
Wānaka Garden Club is running a competitive event regarding spring flower arrangements and photography at Wānaka Presbyterian Church on Tenby Street on September 26. The decorative arrangement competition will be accompanied by informative workshops such as how to create your own spring bloom. The seasonal photography competition is split into two sections, ‘flowers’ and ‘garden landscape’, The event will also feature a charity stall from 2pm selling a range of gardening-related
goodies, like potted plants, seedlings, worm tea and homegrown produce. To enter, simply bring along your entries between 9am and 11am on the day—all photographs will need to be printed and submitted as physical copies. Competition entries will be judged at 1pm, the event will be open to the public between 2pm and 5pm, and the prize-giving will take place at 5pm. The full event schedule can be found at Mitre 10, Paper Plus and Wānaka Library. Alternatively, you can call organiser Liz Buggs on 0220 260 527 to learn more and request a digital copy.
Plant a tree! Abby Costen
newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz
A community planting session has been scheduled at Wren Street Reserve in Riverside Park in Albert Town on September 21 from 9.30am and its organisers are calling for volunteers and fruit tree donations. The purpose of this session is to plant around 25 native trees in order to help establish a public orchard. A previous session, run by Diana Manson with the support of Albert Town Community Association, involved the planting of roughly 27 trees. Session coordinator Corrine Doherty said, “Me personally, with climate change being the immediate issue facing us, planting as many trees as possible, is a positive move.”
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NATURE by Forest and Bird
The inland drylands – going, going, almost gone Dryland ecosystems were synonymous with the South Island intermontane basins until recently, an expression of the harsh exposed environments of the vast open glacial outwash plains and weathered moraines. Sadly, this is no longer so. Since arriving in the Upper Clutha basin in 2001, I have witnessed the loss of at least five areas of beautiful dryland habitat supporting these species, and there is now very very little of this habitat left. The Mackenzie Basin has gone the same way, with yet another large scale, unconsented clearance of dryland outwash in just the last three months. Loss of dryland habitat has been so great over the eastern South Island generally that matagouri is now an at-risk species! This has been due to agricultural intensification, especially under pivot irrigators. Land use controls, in particular for indigenous vegetation clearance, have been impotent in preventing loss. The appetite of our and other district councils to proactively protect what remains is weak despite the protection of such vegetation being a matter of national importance under the RMA s6c. Unfortunately, unlike forest and shrub communities, the change is irreversible and loss is permanent, as we do not know how to recreate them. The few dryland areas now left urgently need recognition, understanding and unequivocal advocacy for enduring protection, including against the edge effects of irrigation. Spring is the ideal time to get to know the drylands — by walking around with your head at knee level peering at the ground or getting down on your hands and knees, to see some of our rarest plants emerging from the ground. These are the spring annuals, the seasonal spice of our special dryland habitats which most people view as rather drab, sparsely vegetated, brown-grey areas dominated by St Johns Wort and hieracium. But in spring, there is a range of special diminutive native plants of beautiful textures and colours, if you take the trouble to get down to their level. There are several Raoulia species, the beautifully geometrically patterned “scabweeds” of
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Rare intermontane dry ecosystem before it was converted to irrigated pasture. Insets from left: forgetme-not, leptinella serrulata, cushion pimelea.
soft grey colours, especially the fan-leaved Raoulia monroi ; there is Leptinella serrulata, the dryland button daisy, with its ferny purple-brown leaves pressed tight to the ground in swirls with the most sweetly fragrant little yellow globes of flowers; the tiniest forget-me-not, Myosotis brevis or perhaps M. pygmaea, with little dots of creamy flowers which must be amongst the smallest in the world — less than one millimetre! Alongside the walking track on Mt Iron in open flat areas on the shady east side, look for a greenish sheen across the ground. If you get down close you will see a thousand tiny little green fingers, which are the fleshy leaves of Myosurus minimus subsp. novae-zealandiae, delightfully called NZ mousetail due to its flowers looking like tails of mice, emerging
amongst the moss and lichen. They will be gone again by November although the keen eyed can pick up the tiny little brown mousetail seed heads for a while after that. Skinks, a wide range of native insects and some of our special (and now threatened) bird species such as banded dotterel also depend on these open dryland habitats. One of the best places to go to see our tiny dryland species in spring is Mahata Katia reserve in the Cromwell valley by Lake Dunstan, or on our own Mt Iron! Contact your local Forest and Bird Branch Committee if you would like to learn more about or see these special species. centralotagolakes. branch@forestandbird.org.nz. – By Anne Stevens
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COUNTS Queenstown Lakes District Council Wānaka ward candidates I have lived in Wānaka over 20 years and have witnessed the area’s population grow rapidly from a small, close knit community to an area experiencing huge urban growth, which provides opportunities and challenges. Good planning and good infrastructure is good for people. Although growth projections have clearly forecast substantial growth, Queenstown Lakes District Council and related authorities (e.g; New Zealand Transport Authority and Otago Regional Council) have been too slow to implement required infrastructure. To date the planning process seems to be reactive to needs and problems after they occur, unfortunately these delays result in inconvenience, congestion, often higher costs and a feeling of frustration by residents and visitors. We need infrastructure in place before capacity problems occur. My objectives for our communities are to focus on getting the basics right first Including: 1) Better than adequate parking and roading including walking and cycle ways. 2) Easy access to the town centre and lakefront for all, including Barry Bruce senior citizens and young families. 3) A truly collaborative and consultative process for forward planning to ensure the community’s wishes are met. My involvement with Shaping Our Future has equipped me with a good understanding of future-focus planning and how communities can influence the decision makers. I am currently deputy chair of the Shaping Our Future board. I have participated on the Upper Clutha transport task force and represented the board on the Upper Clutha fresh water taskforce. Married to Sue, we have children and grandchildren living in Wānaka reinforcing my resolve to ensure we “do things right” for present and future generations.
My wife and I first arrived in the Upper Clutha in 1989. We bought some land, built a house and still live there — directly under the flight path into Wānaka Airport. This community undoubtedly faces numerous challenges. By working together these can become opportunities to secure our exciting future! Growth is better than stagnation! I have served the Wānaka ward for six years as councillor, three as deputy mayor. I have established many positive working relationships. My most enduring qualities are integrity, persistence and enthusiasm. These, along with a strong community and business background, gives me an excellent skill set to represent this ward. Integrity: I always strive to reflect the community’s view. [Hāwea SHA and UGB, QAC SOI, Powered Craft Free Clutha]. We are ALL in this together. I will always strive to protect this wonderful community by being constructively Calum MacLeod engaged in the conversation. Persistence: I had major concerns about sub-divisions leaching sediment into our waterways so I qualified as a hearing commissioner. Then sitting as a commissioner on the district plan earthworks section I presented best practice documentation and video evidence that showed half the Clutha being turned brown. This led directly to vastly improved planning standards, better outcomes, stronger education and prosecutions. In four years I have sat as a commissioner on more sections of the district plan than ALL other councillors combined. Enthusiasm: I LOVE Wānaka. I have lived in Wānaka longer than anywhere else. I am passionate about the Upper Clutha as an environment for families to thrive.
I was born here and have lived in Wānaka for the better part of 29 years. I graduated from Mount Aspiring College and the University of Otago, where I studied law and science. I work at MT Outdoors solving the many problems our adventurous residents can inflict on their gear. I love Wānaka and I'm deeply connected to this town. I can't imagine living under any other mountain skyline, but I'm concerned about the deep pockets that want a piece of our town, and I'm determined to be responsible about how Wānaka grows, and maintain the culture of adventure and spectacular wilderness for future generations.
Wānaka is my favourite place in the whole world, and I’ve seen quite a bit of it in my travels! Ultimately, it’s the wider community that really makes this place better than anywhere else, and that’s important to me. When deciding to run for council, the straw that broke the camel’s back, was the process that allowed the legitimate ratepayers of Northlake to be silenced and excluded from the submissions process, and an outcome that would ultimately change the face of their entire community. Other major issues include the lack of consultation around the airport and the SHA in Hāwea where major community opposition was summed up as a “vocal minority”. Council is here to serve the people, not for the people to pay the council to take our right to consultation away. My professional background is working with large companies and dealing with stakeholders across multiple disciplines and industries. I have a proven track record of deliverable projects and Lincoln Haworth a reputation for being tenacious for the truth. I would be working to establish more Cherilyn Walthew effective channels of engagement with the community, and full transparency from council. Council also needs to review our climate change issues, infrastructure, I am a wife, mother of two primary school kids, and Wānaka resident. I’m housing, funding models, policies that are socially irresponsible and the local economy. If elected to council, I will running for council because I love our supportive, vibrant community; and our work tirelessly in the best interests of the ratepayers and to give you a real voice in our future. district which is being eroded in front of our eyes. I stand for responsible, community-driven development that is for the benefit and wellbeing of our community; and controlled, sustainable growth that protects the unique character of our region. Progress should be measured by a broader range of indicators than primarily fiscal, including environmental, amenity and wellbeing. I will strive for consistent, accessible information for the public, with genuine consultation and engagement that enables us to have meaningful input into the future of our district. As a project manager with over ten years’ experience, I know effecting change takes planning, hard work and commitment. I’m trustworthy, reliable All of these questions have been submitted to the the social,economic and environmental effects of the and driven, and would be honoured to be elected to represent my community. Wānaka Sun from a variety of groups around the district. proposed airport developments. I believe it is prudent Thank you. As we had too many questions, the Wānaka Sun has to await the report details plus the release of the Niamh Shaw truncated the list, however we have not added any of our masterplan due in 2020. own; all of these represent questions directly from the Lincoln Haworth: Oppose. community. The groups include: Upper Clutha Lakes Calum MacLeod: Neutral. There are however private Growth seems to be the word on everyone’s lips, and not surprisingly, given Trust, Guardians of Lake Wānaka, Tourism Wānaka, jets flying from Wānaka Airport now? It should the rapid rate of increase we have seen over the last couple of years. Everyone Ignite Chamber of Commerce, Extinction Rebellion, depend on robust, independent, on-going analysis of in our community has felt the growing pains at some level. While growth will ONE NZ, Forest and Bird, Hāwea Community what is least impactful. I am opposed to international continue to varying degrees, we need to ensure that we manage and respond Association, Wānaka Stakeholders Group. (Other wide-bodied jets landing at Wānaka Airport. I am effectively to growth rather than empower or encourage growth. Ongoing high organisations were approached but did not submit). strongly opposed to Wānaka Airport becoming the rates of growth are fundamentally unsustainable. default ‘fix’ for Queenstown Airport's noise boundary Anecdotally some 60-70 percent of parents of primary school-aged kids are in Do you support or oppose international and capacity issues. the game of building houses. The risk of a dramatic exodus should the buildingNiamh Shaw: Oppose. passenger jets at Wānaka Airport? related work dry up is very high with an ever-increasing population without the Quentin Smith: Oppose. employment to support it. Building houses to house people building houses is Cherilyn Walthew: Oppose. We have other options the metaphorical house of cards. Barry Bruce: Neutral. The airport issue has become available that should be explored first. Both Dunedin We need to grow in a way that holds the environment as paramount, divisive and polarising, information available is and Invercargill should be part of this discussion along is supported by the economy, infrastructure and services that support its limited and contradictory. QAC and QLDC have with the NZTA and Central Government to explore a community. There is a limit to both the rate of growth and the absolute capacity listened to the community voice and are in the robust visitor strategy for the entire region in line with Quentin Smith where the ‘not negotiable’ values are irreversibly compromised. process of commissioning independent reports on our environmental responsibilities. Determining the future of Wānaka Airport will be a major consideration for our community as it could clearly be a foot on the accelerator of tourism and residential growth. The spatial plan and future development strategy that are to be undertaken in council’s coming term will be instrumental in shaping that future and are shaping up to be the biggest issue of the next term.
Queenstown Lakes District Council candidate Q&A
Q
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COUNTS Queenstown Lakes District Council candidate Q&A
Q
Do you support or oppose domestic, stagnation! New Pool. New Supermarket. New School. turbo-prop scheduled services at Wānaka Anything other than the status-quo is demand-driven. Airport? The management solution - the 7 P’s. Proper, Prior, Planning, Prevents, Piss, Poor, Performance! Barry Bruce: Neutral. Niamh Shaw: Support. It is absolutely essential to Lincoln Haworth: Neutral. I'm open to turboprop plan for and manage growth sensibly and sustainably, operations but they need the approval of the with a priority being to protect our social wellbeing, community. The turboprops could be smaller Dash-8s quality of life and environment. or larger ATR-72s. Quentin Smith: Support. Calum MacLeod: Support & Neutral. I support and am Cherilyn Walthew: Support. Growth should be neutral with a caveat: on-going analysis of what is least driven by the community not by solely by business or, impactful. Two domestic jet aircraft may be less impactful visitor demand. than six turbo-prop aircraft? The global aviation industry is focused on electric and jet/electric hybrid technology. Do you support or oppose loosening There were already ‘private’ electric aircraft selling at planning restrictions to allow more affordable housing options such as tiny this year's Paris air show. Are commercial electric or jet/ houses? electric hybrids our future aircraft? Niamh Shaw: Support. I personally support this; however the future of Wānaka Airport must be Barry Bruce: Support. according to appropriate, consistent and comprehensive Lincoln Haworth: Support. While I'm in favour of this consultation with the entire community. Any decision within the urban area and within town boundaries, I don't must genuinely be for the benefit and wellbeing of this support loosening restrictions in sensitive landscape. community and our environment, and not primarily to Calum MacLeod: Neutral. The RMA doesn’t really work like this. Planning documents exist for a reason. serve 'spill-over' from Queenstown Airport. They should not be ‘ ... loosened ... ’ by politicians. Central Quentin Smith: Neutral. Cherilyn Walthew: Support. Yes. This is convenient Government’s SHA’s being a prime example. Central for both locals and visitors to the Upper Clutha regions. government is currently reviewing the RMA. Housing Previous services have not caused any community- affordability is a massive challenge for this district. Tiny houses, inclusionary zoning, density, retained ownership, wide issues. Do you support or oppose a jet-capable Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust’s secure airport, but only for domestic flights at home product -- all affordability options must be explored. Wānaka Airport? Niamh Shaw: Support. I support targeted planning changes for more cost-effective housing options. I'm Barry Bruce: Neutral. not fond of the word 'loosening', since the flexibility Lincoln Haworth: Oppose. or loopholes in law arguably contributed to the current Calum MacLeod: Support & Neutral. Neutral/ situation with the Northlake development. Support. With the same caveat as the previous question. Quentin Smith: Support. However, there are few Niamh Shaw: Neutral. The future of our airport restrictions on such other than those imposed by should be dictated by the community, and prioritise developers. considerations such as the number of visitors we can Cherilyn Walthew: Support. Insisting we tie people sustainably support, the environmental impact, the into massive amounts of financial debt in order to QLDC's climate action plan, and rate payer investment. "own" their space is sociably unconscionable. Quentin Smith: Oppose. We have so little information from which to assess the scope or impact of any proposal Do you support or oppose prioritising that it would be difficult to preempt any decision. Any investment for economic growth outside of tourism? decision should be informed, consulted and understood. Cherilyn Walthew: Neutral. This would require more "definitive" information regarding the impacts and Barry Bruce: Support. level of movements before I would consider answering Lincoln Haworth: Neutral. The council should not try to pick winners, but creating an environment that naturally this question. fosters innovation will organically diversify our economy. Do you support or oppose further Calum MacLeod: Support. Absolutely! Our current feasibility study into relocating economic development strategy already sets this as a Queenstown Airport to another Central vision and key priority. Otago region? Niamh Shaw: Support. I support encouraging and incentivising business diversity, especially in skilled Barry Bruce: Neutral. areas such as technology or science which provide Lincoln Haworth: Neutral. I think a good land opportunity to work remotely. transport link between Invercargill and Queenstown is Quentin Smith: Support. I support a diversified economy. likely to be sufficient to cope with both domestic and Cherilyn Walthew: Neutral. In principle yes however, international capacity. that sounds like a discussion we should be having with Calum MacLeod: Neutral. This involves another our community before making any big decisions. region outside of our control. It should however be Do you support or oppose special housing outside the urban growth boundary in investigated! Hāwea? Niamh Shaw: Neutral. Only if another region supports this; I'm not in favour of relocating our problem elsewhere. If Dunedin or Invercargill Airports were amenable, would Barry Bruce: Oppose. Lincoln Haworth: Oppose. The SHA has failed to prefer to consider increasing traffic to these airports. gain the support of the community. Quentin Smith: Neutral. Cherilyn Walthew: Oppose. We have existing options Calum MacLeod: Neutral. I opposed the initial SHA proposal. My view was not the majority view. QLDC to explore first. supported that SHA proposal moving forward. In Do you support or oppose managed principle my view has not changed. That said, I would growth? (as opposed to demand-driven have to keep an open mind on any further proposals. growth) I sat as a hearing commissioner on the section of the PDP that considered - and supported - implementing a Barry Bruce: Support. Hāwea Urban Growth Boundary. Lincoln Haworth: Support. Niamh Shaw: Neutral. Boundary changes could Calum MacLeod: Neutral. We are currently growing. be considered to respond to real demand, and as We have done for decades. Growth is better than supported by the community.
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THE WĀNAKA SUN
Calum MacLeod: Oppose. Our next bypass will be Sir Tim Wallis Drive. This is being constructed now. We need to be planning and putting dollars into developing Riverbank / Orchard / and Studholme Roads as our next bypass. Niamh Shaw: Neutral. I don't agree with taking land from a community organisation; but in this case, rerouting the road would ultimately benefit the town Do you support or oppose more parking and our community. However, the Council should downtown? collaborate with the Golf Club to identify a solution that may be acceptable to both parties. Quentin Smith: Neutral. Subject to understanding Barry Bruce: Oppose. the traffic modelling and golf course compensatory Lincoln Haworth: Neutral. It's a matter for study. opportunities. Calum MacLeod: Support & Neutral. On the Cherilyn Walthew: Oppose. A matter for the lakefront - No. On road reserve - Yes. community to decide and have greater input into. Niamh Shaw: Oppose. Parking for residents is necessary; otherwise the lakefront will be less accessible Do you support or oppose protection and to the elderly, disabled and those with small children. restoration of indigenous wetlands and For families, the Dinosaur Park is the nucleus of our woody vegetation throughout the district town - there needs to be parking close by. I support the as a key action contributing to climate introduction of a residents permit. Prohibit campervans change mitigation? or buses from parking at the lakefront. Barry Bruce: Support. Quentin Smith: Support. Lincoln Haworth: Support. This is a huge opportunity Cherilyn Walthew: Neutral. Living in a rural suburb, for us to mitigate carbon emissions and its role in the my car is often the only feasible and practical option council's climate plan should be a major one. to access town. We need to assess our town plan and Calum MacLeod: Support. decide if parking issues can be alleviated through more Niamh Shaw: Support. Yes absolutely. parking or, considering the environmental angle, a Quentin Smith: Support. public transport alternative. Cherilyn Walthew: Support. Absolutely. The environment must come first. However, I would like projects "sense Do you support or oppose a 10kmph checked" on a regular basis by independent parties. pedestrianised lakefront?
Quentin Smith: Oppose. I have voted against. Cherilyn Walthew: Oppose. Not in its current format. The community had identified where it wanted future development to go however, their opinions gathered at earlier community workshops, were disregarded. Experience already shows us that the SHA's don't necessarily provide "affordable" accommodation.
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Barry Bruce: Oppose. Lincoln Haworth: Support. Resulting traffic on Brownston Street will have to be seriously addressed though. Calum MacLeod: Neutral. This is very location dependant. Eely Point - Yes. In the area by the Watersports Centre - Yes. Yacht Club carpark - Yes. Lakeside Road - No. Niamh Shaw: Neutral. Quentin Smith: Neutral. Cherilyn Walthew: Neutral. I'd like more debate and input from the community on this topic, to really thrash out everyone's thoughts and issues on this matter. An actual "debate" event would be great.
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Do you support or oppose increasing QLDC’s spending on conservation and environmental issues?
Barry Bruce: Support. Lincoln Haworth: Neutral. Spending must achieve quantifiable results that are fair on ratepayers. Calum MacLeod: Support & Neutral. I'm neutral and support. We are already the most unaffordable district in NZ. Any money spent by QLDC would have to be raised from our ratepayers. These are both excellent causes however the level of investment may be better left up to each individual as opposed to council. Niamh Shaw: Support. Protecting our environment, and the wellbeing and health of the residents within it, is of critical importance. Do you support or oppose moving Quentin Smith: Support. Within scope of council's Pembroke Park forward to meet the lake? mandates and responsibilities. Cherilyn Walthew: Support. In principle I would support an increase however, all projects should be "sense checked" in line with an overall strategy, before Barry Bruce: Oppose. Lincoln Haworth: Support. The traffic flow to Mount throwing more money at this area. Aspiring Road might need to be improved/realigned Do you support or oppose the goal of to a greater extent than what is currently proposed. becoming carbon neutral by 2050 at all Calum MacLeod: Neutral. It was supported by a costs? large majority of the community however this must
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be balanced with vehicle access - especially with our ageing population - and our ongoing parking issues. Niamh Shaw: Support. Yes with provisions; e.g. there should no net loss of reserve space, and facilities provided for residents especially families and those with reduced mobility. Quentin Smith: Neutral. Cherilyn Walthew: Neutral. A matter for the community to decide and have greater input into.
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Do you support or oppose creating a bypass through Wānaka Golf Course?
Barry Bruce: Neutral. All options for a bypass need to be considered. The golf club should benefit if that option is chosen. Lincoln Haworth: Neutral. The alternative options should be investigated first: the golf course land was gifted with the intention of being a golf course.
THURSDAY 19.09.19 - WEDNESDAY 25.09.19
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Barry Bruce: Neutral. Lincoln Haworth: Neutral. I consider it a high priority. Calum MacLeod: Support. 2050 or earlier with the caveat that we define ‘ ... at all costs?’ If the benefit is the survival of our species then the costs are relative. Niamh Shaw: Support. Define costs: economic, environmental, health, wellbeing? The cost to us of failing to mitigate our effects on climate change is catastrophic. I believe we should consider working towards a more aggressive timeframe than 2050; set our objectives for achieving carbon neutrality and budget accordingly. Quentin Smith: Support Cherilyn Walthew: Support. Not at "all costs". 2050 won't be soon enough however, we need to "sense check" what we do so we don't fall victims to a "false economy" with our projects and where our money is spent.
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Sun News
thewanakasun.co.nz
COUNTS Wānaka Community Board candidates As a current Wānaka Community Board (WCB) member, it is crystal clear that I have lived in Wānaka over 20 years and have witnessed the area’s population the WCB is not being included in important discussions and decisions being grow rapidly from a small, close-knit community to an area experiencing huge made by the QLDC. The WCB's role includes representing and advocating for urban growth, which provides opportunities and challenges. the community, and encouraging an integrated strategic approach to long-term Good planning and good infrastructure is good for people. Although growth issues. After elections, the board needs to meet with our new mayor, and Mike projections have clearly forecast substantial growth, Queenstown Lakes Theelan, to ensure the legal obligations of the board are being met. District Council and related authorities (e.g; New Zealand Transport Authority Residents and tourists all contribute to the challenges of growth, and its and Otago Regional Council) have been too slow to implement required effects on services, infrastructure, and our environment. Development plans infrastructure. for our district need to come from consultation, with you people, not from To date the planning process seems to be reactive to needs and problems corporations concerned with making profits from our region. Part of the role of after they occur, unfortunately these delays result in inconvenience, congestion, the three Wānaka councillors who are co-opted to the WCB is to take the views often higher costs and a feeling of frustration by residents and visitors. We need of the community to the mayor and Queenstown councillors, for their support. infrastructure in place before capacity problems occur. So, be careful who you tick. My objectives for our communities are to focus on getting the basics right Climate change needs to be addressed at both household and council level. first Including: 1) Better than adequate parking and roading including walking Jude Battson Barry Bruce Do we limit cars in the CBD, promote electric bikes and public transport, ban and cycle ways. 2) Easy access to the town centre and lakefront for all including insinkerators, provide greenwaste bins? Is Lake Hāwea sewage, piped across the senior citizens and young families. 3) A truly collaborative and consultative Mata au River, really the way to go? We need to think environment first. process for forward planning to ensure the community’s wishes are met. Locals come first. We do not need rampant growth and development, and uncontrolled tourism. I support the My involvement with Shaping Our Future has equipped me with a good understanding of future-focus aims of the Wānaka Stakeholders Group. I am committed, sensible, passionate, have time for the job, to represent planning and how communities can influence the decision makers. I am currently deputy chair of the Shaping you, and fight for what is right for our wonderful place and environment. Our Future board. I have participated on the Upper Clutha transport task force and represented the board on the Upper Clutha fresh water taskforce. Married to Sue, we have children and grandchildren living in Wānaka reinforcing my resolve to ensure we “do things right” for present and future generations. For the last 16 years I have worked for the Queenstown Lakes District Council. The first 11 years were spent working at the Wānaka service centre alongside the various Wānaka community boards making sure all issues that affected the Upper Clutha were brought to the notice of our locally elected members and After three years out of local politics, I am re-energised and keen to jump back decisions were made in public at board meetings right here in Wānaka. in as a candidate for the Wānaka Community Board. I have a deep understanding of how council functions and how an effective With so many decisions needing to be made which will shape Wānaka’s community board can and should work. I have now resigned from council and future, I am keen to offer my many years of local government experience would like to devote my time and energy to the WCB, reclaiming its extensive guiding those decisions. delegations and moving forward with so many of the projects that were put on hold A local businessman since moving to Wānaka more than 20 years ago, I by the planning for the Wānaka town centre masterplan. Wānaka is not broken and participated in the evolution of the district, starting with the public 2020 process it doesn’t need ‘fixing’, but it does need continual tweaking to ensure that the impact in 2002, which shaped the future of Wānaka, including the establishment of of growth does not degrade the experience of living in or visiting this district. Three Parks, and enabled managed commercial, industrial and residential A new commercial centre is being built which could dramatically alter the growth. driving and parking habits of so many residents. New cycleways are being Barbara East Three Parks is a reality now with the recreation centre, sports fields and planned to encourage people to adopt a more active travel lifestyle. We swimming pool; the new school and new supermarket. Many of the projects need to progress the projects that increase the pedestrianisation of the town I was involved in during my 12 years as an elected member on the Wānaka centre, giving predominance to pedestrians over motorists rather than disadvantaging many of our residents by Community Board and Queenstown Lakes District Council are also a reality, excluding vehicles from prime areas. Lyal Cocks including Wānaka’s waste treatment plant; securing Snow Farm in public I am really looking forward to working with all the Upper Clutha communities over the next three years. ownership; developing Lake Hāwea’s foreshore and Wānaka’s lakefront development plan; sealing streets and footpaths throughout the district; introducing roundabouts to Wānaka; providing angle parking on Brownston Street; and establishing Kelly’s Flat sports fields, toilets and parking. Some locals embrace change; others fear it; and as a member of the community board my job is to find a Having moved to Wānaka 15 years ago and owning Ritual cafe for the last 12, I pragmatic compromise to ensure a satisfactory outcome for the majority. have decided to seek a position on the Wānaka Community Board in this year’s I want Wānaka to continue to be a great place to live in and visit – a place my grandchildren will enjoy and be QLDC elections. I have always had strong views on the direction of Wānaka and proud to call home. believe it is time to make a difference. Wānaka is going through a period of growing pains and it is essential that residents feel that their views are being heard and that their elected representatives are listening. I am passionate about maintaining Wānaka as a place for locals and their families and for visitors to enjoy their stay, but more importantly, for residents to feel that they have a say in how the town is shaped for current and future generations. As a community board member, my main focus will be as an advocate for the voice of those that live, work or are retired in our beautiful town and to reconnect the ratepayers with their council by listening to all ideas. With this in mind I hope Do you support or oppose more parking Do you support or oppose a 10kmph to take concerns and ideas from the people, to the community board and then to Christopher Hadfield council so that we all feel that we can influence our future lives. downtown? pedestrianised lakefront?
Q&A with Wānaka Community Board candidates
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Ed Taylor PAGE 8
I moved to Wānaka with my family more than 16 years ago and have seen the town double in size since then. It was a great place to live back in 2003 and I firmly believe it is an even better place now with improved services across a number of areas. Growth is a much better problem to have than decline and just because a town is small doesn’t necessarily make it a great place to live. What makes a great community is the people who live there and Wānaka seems to have the knack of attracting engaged people, many of whom make big sacrifices to call Wānaka home. I want to live in a town where anyone who is prepared to work hard can make a go of it and raise their kids. It would be a real bonus if more of our children could find well-paying jobs and careers right here in the Upper Clutha. Tourism is the main driving force of our economy but it’s time to diversify to make us more resilient. I am seeking a second term on the community board to see a number of projects through. I want to see the lakefront development plan completed, Ballantyne Road sealed, a more bike-friendly town and some final decisions made about the town centre masterplan. It’s time to stop having meetings and get the shovels out.
Jude Battson: Neutral. I support one way driving on Ardmore below Pembroke Park and angle parking both sides of the road. When the supermarket opens at Three Parks, parking in Wānaka will alter. Barry Bruce: Support. Lyal Cocks: Support. Support more parking in vicinity of CBD but not in the CBD. Barbara East: Neutral. Rather than providing more parks, the existing parking needs to be reorganised ie taking parking off the waterfront and having angle parking adjacent to Pembroke Park. The end result may or may not be an increase in parking spaces. Chris Hadfield: Support. Ed Taylor: Support. We need to have enough car parks to ensure the CBD works well but that could also be achieved by pushing some types of parking eg Campervans out a bit further.
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Jude Battson: Neutral. The community can decide this. Barry Bruce: Oppose. Lyal Cocks: Neutral. Support shared spaces and some pedestrianisation but has to be timed right and phased in. Barbara East: Oppose. I support moving towards a more shared environment along the lakefront but I am not sure if 10km/hr is the desirable speed limit. Chris Hadfield: Oppose. 10kph is too slow. I believe 30kph would be sufficient. Ed Taylor: Support.
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Do you support or oppose moving Pembroke Park forward to meet the lake?
Jude Battson: Oppose. The community can decide this. Barry Bruce: Oppose. Lyal Cocks: Oppose.
THE WĀNAKA SUN
Sun News
thewanakasun.co.nz
COUNTS Q&A with Wānaka Community Board candidates Barbara East: Oppose. The activities that take place on the park and the waterfront are completely separate. There is no need to close that valuable cross town route when angle parking and multiple crossing points will enable easy lakefront access. Chris Hadfield: Oppose. I would prefer the aspects of the 2016 lakefront plan being instigated with angle parking on at least one side of Ardmore Street. Ed Taylor: Oppose. While I can see the allure of doing this I don't think it's practical at this stage and I favour removing vehicles off the lakefront and having angle parking on both sides of a one-way Ardmore Street.
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Do you support or oppose creating a bypass through Wānaka Golf Course?
Jude Battson: Oppose. Barry Bruce: Neutral. All options for a bypass need to be considered. The golf club should benefit if that option is chosen. Lyal Cocks: Oppose. Barbara East: Oppose. This was thoroughly investigated years ago and was rejected for economic and social reasons. We also now have viable alternative options. Chris Hadfield: Oppose. I would like to see specific effects/options of any bypass before supporting the proposal. Ed Taylor: Neutral. We need a second cross-town link. This one is the most obvious. If it doesn't work then we need to look at another.
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Do you support or oppose more carparks for elderly drivers in the town centre?
Jude Battson: Neutral. The community can decide this. Barry Bruce: Support. Lyal Cocks: Neutral. There will continue to be parking in Town Centre. Barbara East: Neutral. Wānaka doesn't actually have any parks specifically for the elderly. If the request is about disabled parks then I would consult with the
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people that are entitled who use them. Do you support or oppose restricting numbers during peak season up Roys Chris Hadfield: Support. Peak? Ed Taylor: Support. This is a great idea. Maybe we could have a 'seniors' card which gave them preference and also maybe gives them free parking when charging Jude Battson: Support. Barry Bruce: Neutral. Not sure how that could be eventually comes in. done, maybe charge for the priviledge. If the Arts Centre is demolished as part Lyal Cocks: Neutral. of the town centre masterplan, do you Barbara East: Neutral. Is the suggestion that numbers support or oppose the construction of a should be restricted due to parking issues or queueing for photos issues? We would need to discuss this with new building at council cost elsewhere in DOC. the town? Chris Hadfield: Support. Jude Battson: Support. Support new arts centre but Ed Taylor: Oppose. How do you do this? These not all at council cost. It will meet the criteria for other people start going up at 3am. Are you going to have funders to help. a 24-ranger service? Not practical. We could stop Barry Bruce: Neutral. promoting it. Lyal Cocks: Neutral. Barbara East: Oppose. Council cost means ratepayer What is the most important environmental cost so any new arts centre may need to be privately issue to you? funded. A public private partnership is something that could be considered in future. Jude Battson: The impact of locals and tourists on our Chris Hadfield: Support. Ed Taylor: Neutral. Let's talk about this IF it ever surrounds. Imagine if there was a fence surrounding all our waterways and we had to get a permit to enter? happens. Maybe then, people would treat our place better. Do you support or oppose efforts to place Development close to waterways, so folk can have a powerlines underground along Capell ave view has allowed urban creep to have a negative effect on waterways. If agriculture run off was reduced, and and Lakeview Terrace? riparian plantings increased, and we had a council that did not even think sewage to waterways, we might Jude Battson: Support. leave a worthy legacy to the people of the future. Be Barry Bruce: Support. grateful for every footstep we take.. Lyal Cocks: Neutral. Barry Bruce: Protection of our fresh water resources Barbara East: Neutral. I do not know what budgets and catchments. are in place for undergrounding of power lines Lyal Cocks: Water management. but there may be some demand in other areas for Barbara East: The most important environmental undergrounding and priorities would have to be issue to me is the world wide issue of reducing carbon set. In general, yes I really like to see powerlines put emissions. It is something that needs to underpin underground. everything that we do on an individual and a corporate Chris Hadfield: Support. basis. Individually we can all make a difference by Ed Taylor: Support. Reckon it's a great Hāwea doing things like cutting down on meat, making sure initiative - I personally hate powerlines and would put our houses are well insulated, changing to LED lights, not using a clothes dryer and on a larger scale, making them all underground if I could.
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sure that all public facilities and infrastructure are as environmentally sustainable as possible. Chris Hadfield: Water quality. Ed Taylor: There is heaps of work going on within various organisations aimed at topics such as water quality. It's important that these groups are all talking to each other and that their actions are co-ordinated.
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What is the most important issue facing Wānaka at present?
Jude Battson: Local democracy to ensure appropriate impact for all UC communities. Wanaka airport/SHA fiascos and sewage to waterways are three examples of councillors disregarding UC people and place. Public transport, more cycling in UC. Environment and people first, then profit occurs naturally. Barry Bruce: Managing growth and developing infrastructure before over capacity problems occur. Lyal Cocks: Managing the popularity of Wānaka and future growth. Barbara East: The most important issue facing Wānaka at the moment varies widely depending on who you are speaking to. For young people starting out, the issue could be the unaffordability of housing here and the impact that an inevitable massive mortgage will have on their lives. For those who have houses and have been here a while, it could be the fear that growth could make this area less pleasant to live in. Whatever the issue, working on it together as a community will produce the best result. Chris Hadfield: Long term, sensible, achievable and robust planning around tourism and infrastructure.. Ed Taylor: Growth is something to be embraced not feared and is a far better problem to have than decline. No one wants out-of-control growth. What we need to do is ensure growth benefits the majority of residents. To achieve this we need to do more to diversify our economy giving us economic resilience. Not only will this provide other career opportunities for our young people but it will also allow us to better target the type, and numbers of visitors we want to attract in the future.
EDITORIAL
The Wānaka Community Board: what do they actually do? Emma Conyngham
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
Questions in this edition for the Wānaka Community Board are notably restricted to parking, roads, reserves, freedom campers, public toilets, tracks, and powerlines. These are all important issues that keep a town running but you may be wondering where is water management, Project Pure, the airport, growth and tourism, housing affordability and climate change? Barbara East was the first to raise the alarm. “It is rather alarming to see that there is the perception that the appointed members of the WCB do not have the remit to discuss issues like water management and the Wānaka airport. This is completely incorrect but is an example of how the board's extensive delegations have been forgotten and overlooked.” “Before the reorganisation of council which occurred in 2012, the WCB was respected as having the most extensive delegations in the whole country and for having a well thought out relationship with council,” said East. “No issue that was relevant to the Wānaka ward ever bypassed the board.”
THE WĀNAKA SUN
That rosy view is a stark contrast to Mayor Boult’s answer in regards to the current efficacy of the WCB, “I’m not sure it has ever worked particularly well,” he said. But where the rubber really hits the road is the variety of responses I received from candidates in regards to the role of WCB and the airport. East was emphatic that the WCB can discuss, recommend and make decisions on “ALL infrastructure ...and of course the Wānaka Airport.” Really? Quentin Smith said, “The board has not had the opportunity to be informed about, recommend or authorise any matters relating to Wānaka Airport in this term..” Current board member and candidate for 2019, Jude Battson said the items she most wished WCB had authority over but was restricted by the terms of reference were, “Lake Hawea SHA, Wānaka Airport future, Northlake Hotel development, Lake Hawea sewage, and sewage discharge to waterways.” But according to East’s interpretation, all those items should definitely have been passed through the board. East even asked me incredulously, “where did you get the
idea that the board was not involved in water management?” (Ummmm, from a current member of the board.) In contrast, Rachel Brown, chair of the WCB from 2013 - 2018 said, “The WCB has no delegation to decide council policy[...] A good example is the SHA for Hāwea. The mayor actually wrote to WCB members expressing disappointment that we may be expressing opinions, advising that we keep quiet until the WCB was asked to make a decision. The board was then never asked to make a decision.” “We are often advised we can't make a submission to council from WCB because it compromises the position of the Wānaka councillors for their council decision,” she added. So are we voting for WCB candidates because we think they will have a material effect on critical issues like water management, wastewater, the airport and other infrastructure? Or are we voting for a team that will name streets, sort out parking and install new toilets? As we head to the voting booth, shouldn’t we know exactly what our elected officials are supposed to do? Another area where the WCB has been THURSDAY 19.09.19 - WEDNESDAY 25.09.19
PHOTO: QLDC
The current Wānaka Community Board: from left, Ross McRobbie, Calum MacLeod, Jude Battson, Ruth Harrison, Rachel Brown, Ed Taylor and Quentin Smith (front).
diminished is resourcing. Brown believes the council needs to provide Wānaka-specific support staff for the WCB. Their job should be to solely focus on Wānaka district issues, support the management and administrative requirements of WCB, leaving board members free to do the actual work of talking to locals, research, developing sound policy, and wrestling with the Big Issues. As the new board puts their feet under their desks on day one, the new terms of
reference need to be clearly negotiated with council — with a mandate to recommend and act on all the issues that face Wānaka. The new board also needs to demand the resumption of the Wānaka Service Centre Manager role plus extra administrative support. But mostly they need some respect from over the hill and that requires a culture change led from the very top. Which mayor will give Wānaka the respect it deserves? You decide. Vote.
PAGE 9
Sun News
thewanakasun.co.nz
COUNTS Queenstown Lakes District Council mayoral candidates
Nik Kiddle
This election is a watershed moment for our community. We face stark choices over very different visions for our future. One is unbridled growth, dislocation of long-standing community values, dominance of commercial objectives over social and environmental ones and a governance style that disempowers the community. The alternative I am offering is change that delivers control and influence back to the community and protects the essential social and environmental assets that define our district. The crossroads we are at go well beyond the lifecycle of the next council. The council’s application for a licence to pollute our waterways goes out to 2055. The mayor’s support for the airport corporation’s intention to expand air transport services takes us out to 2045. The nightmare I envision is a Lakes district with polluted waterways and jets flying overhead every 10-15 minutes. It’s not the place we came to call home. It’s not the place our children should inherit. So, I will withdraw the right to pollute application. And I will convene an airports futures summit to bring all interested parties to a negotiated outcome on the vision, objectives, limits and operational mechanisms for our airports. I will set aside a year to achieve this. I am confident we can get it right. It is vital that everyone, young people in particular, exercise their right to vote. For more info, go to: www.nikkiddle.com
Hi, I'm Al Angus. I'm 62, married, raised a family, divorced (my fault ), have been in the Wakatipu for over 40 years and have seen many changes, some great, some disastrous. Unfortunately our councils are increasingly in the latter category. The disconnect from our community is stunning. The secrecy around meetings and decisions has to end. I have no affiliation with any corporation or business. I'm standing on my own for our community. By community I mean all of it, the people, the lakes and rivers; the mountains — every reason why l love the place. I think in terms of what will be good for my grandchildren in forty years, we must put the brakes on this destructive trajectory. Sadly, that means the mayor, most of the councillors and a fast restructuring of some high-level council staff needs to occur. Our community has brains and answers, USE THEM! Good luck. For more info go to: ‘Al Angus for Mayor’ on Facebook.
I stood for mayor in 2016 with a clear plan of what I needed to achieve to help the people living in and visiting our district, while having a low impact on our precious environment. My family has lived in the Wakatipu for nearly 40 years. This district's wellbeing is vitally important to me. I want it to continue to be a wonderful place to live, with a healthy natural environment, good services and infrastructure, and varied work opportunities. I'm extremely proud of what this council has achieved, but there are still big tasks to be completed. In the Upper Clutha my colleagues and I have worked with groups to improve and extend tracks; Jim Boult lobbied government to stop the dangerous practice of children standing on cramped school buses on open roads; cleared the Wānaka waterfront of freedom campers, and introduced a rubbish and recycling service which has significantly reduced the waste going to landfill. District-wide I founded the Beyond 2050 Vision on which the spatial plan will be based; council approved a $1 billion ten-year plan to address past under-spending on infrastructure, securing government support for a visitor levy to help fund it, and introduced innovative initiatives to make affordable homes a reality for more residents. But there's still much to do, including extending the wonderful $2 bus service I fought for in the Wakatipu to the Upper Clutha; completing a masterplan for the town; accelerating the work underway to enable affordable housing, and ensuring tourist numbers are sustainable. I was elected to make changes. I've done that and will continue to. I have the track record in leadership to deliver on these promises. For more info, go to: www.boultformayor.co.nz.
Al Angus
Mayoral candidate Q&A All of these questions have been submitted to the Wānaka Sun from a variety of groups around the district. As we had too many questions, the Wānaka Sun has truncated the list, however we have not added any of our own; all of these represent questions directly from the community. The groups include: Upper Clutha Lakes Trust, Guardians of Lake Wānaka, Tourism Wānaka, Ignite Chamber of Commerce, Extinction Rebellion, ONE NZ, Forest and Bird, Hāwea Community Association, Wānaka Stakeholders Group. (Other organisations were approached but did not submit).
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What are the key things Queenstown Lakes District Council can do to improve resident quality of life and retain the essence of what makes Wānaka and the Upper Clutha a great place to live? Angus: Bring all water infrastructure up to acceptable standards, an honest re-engagement with communities, no more cavalier lip service and arrogant disregard. Boult: Implement the Wānaka masterplan, which deals with traffic congestion, dangerous intersections and enhancing the town centre; enable affordable housing solutions where appropriate; ensure the airport meets the needs of all sectors of the community, and continue to work with organisations such as the ORC on freshwater quality and Wastebusters on waste reduction. Kiddle: Avoid licences to pollute, regain control over airports, empower communities to have influence.
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What brings you joy?
Angus: Having very serious conversations with two year olds about ants and clouds, being part of someone's journey from complete despair to wanting to have another go at life, my home and the lady I live with.
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Boult: As Mayor, working to meet our communities' needs (reliable infrastructure, affordable housing, public transport) while ensuring the reasons we love living here are protected. Kiddle: Life
Q
How will you ensure you stay connected to the needs of the business community?
Angus: The business community's needs have been well catered for by the last councils. The ratepayers community will be my priority. Boult: I engage with our business communities widely and frequently — there’s rarely a night or day at weekends when I don’t attend some type of event — and I've had a long business career, giving me a clear understanding of the needs. Kiddle: Retain my business interests and remain closely involved in business circles.
this, following public consultation. In my experience, large committees seldom deliver good outcomes. Kiddle: Yes! There is plenty of scope to use polling and survey tools to gauge community views. Decisions on major issues can be decided by binding negotiated outcomes.
Q
Do you personally support or oppose passenger jets at Wānaka Airport?
Angus: Oppose, until you have all the facts. Then put the decisions in the people’s hands that are going to be most adversely affected by them, not, as is now, those most likely to benefit. Boult: I support Wānaka again becoming a regional airport (an airport which only provides domestic services) and if people want to be able to fly between Wānaka and Auckland, then jets will be required. But I've stipulated no decisions will be made around Wānaka Airport until social and economic studies There has been talk by some candidates have been completed. around "making the WCB work properly Kiddle: It’s a decision for the people of Wānaka. again.” What does this mean to you? Do you support QLDC/QAC's decision to Angus: Engagement. Everywhere I've been this withhold all details of the 100-year lease election that has been the main issue. agreement for Wānaka airport from the Boult: I’m not sure it has ever worked particularly community who owns the asset? well. We either make it work better, or Wānaka may be Angus: Not on any level. It's wrong, it's arrogant in better represented by having more councillors. the extreme and is one of the main reasons why this Kiddle: WCB needs a new authority to set its own behavior has to be voted out. agenda. Boult: No, and I am looking into whether the non Do you support the implementation of commercially sensitive aspects of this information can participatory democracy and binding be released. citizens assemblies? Kiddle: No. All relevant documentation — including the airport’s master plan — needs to be in the public Angus: No, if the councillors are truly representing domain. their constituents there should be no need for this. There will always be hard decisions that won't please What does 'sustainable' growth mean to everybody. you? Boult: Councillors and mayors are elected to deliver
Q
Q
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Q
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Angus: Slow, well thought out and not getting ahead of infrastructure. Making developers and builders 100 percent accountable for any problems they cause. Boult: In terms of visitor numbers, it means concentrating on high-spending visitors, not high numbers of visitors. Kiddle: Balancing social, environmental and economic values and objectives.
Q
What will you do to ensure there is effective planning and timely investment to cater to long-term growth projections (in both residents and visitors), especially given the number of sections that are already consented are enough to see the population of Wānaka and the Upper Clutha double in size? Angus: Council planning and consent departments need an overhaul for a start. Fresh blood from within our communities are a must. Not fly in fly outs from Perth or wherever. Boult: Planning is already well underway, through the district plan review and infrastructure planning, and the necessary infrastructure investment will be partially funded by the visitor levy, an initiative now supported by central Government. Kiddle: Long-term planning needs reinforcing. Urban/rural boundaries need protecting. Incentives should be available to get residents into homes in the thousands of sections and residential units already under development.
Q
Do you think tourist numbers should be capped at a certain level? And if so, how close are we to that level currently?
Angus: I believe we passed the safe point five or six years ago. We've got muck everywhere, our roads are clogged up, sewage going into the waterways and lakes to mention a few. It has to stop. We need to put the brakes on and get our wind back for a year or so to honestly assess the damage.
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COUNTS Mayoral candidate Q&A Boult: Artificial caps have proven to be ineffective — they simply result in high airline prices and, given 30 percent of travellers using Queenstown Airport are locals, locals would be disadvantaged. There are more effective ways to manage growth, including the price manipulation I mentioned earlier. Kiddle: Pricing for value over volume should help tourist numbers. Realistically, volume caps are not an option available to us.
economy. But we can mitigate and often negate emissions through planting trees and cutting back on tourist activities that rely on massive fuel consumption. Inspire more passive tourism. Boult: Adopting the climate change plan currently being considered by the QLDC, which aims to ensure all our communities are prepared for the impacts of climate change and a zero carbon future, our buildings and infrastructure are resilient, and the QLDC itself is greenhouse gas and carbon emissions free by 2050. What is the current local environmental Kiddle: We must get an inventory of current GHG issue that causes you personally most emissions. This critical first step would then launch concern? targeted measures to lower emissions.
Q
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Angus: Sewage going into our lakes and waterways, Will you ensure that any development although worse, is the attempt to normalize it with a that is incompatible with our district's 35-year consent to discharge. vision for 2050, in particular with respect Boult: Lake snow in our lakes. to achieving our emissions targets and Kiddle: QLDC’s wrong-headed approach to regenerating native ecosystems to increase protecting waterways. The right to pollute permit must biodiversity, is set aside? go. ORC needs to do much more on lake algae. Angus: Yes. I'm very suspicious of any application that states the damage will be "less than minor." In my What are the key decisions will you make experience this has been the precursor to eminent damage. to help the Upper Clutha transition to a Boult: I initiated Vision Beyond 2050 and I am zero emissions economy? committed to the outcomes it envisages. Kiddle: All developments need to be assessed against Angus: There simply can't be a zero emissions national and district targets.
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What sectors, outside tourism, can be beneficial to Wānaka from an economic development perspective and how can we attract new sectors in a community pushing back on perceived growth ? Angus: The only real alternatives that I can see are horticulture and agriculture, although dairying should have a safe boundary of at least 10kms from a navigable waterway or town aquifer. Boult: Education, film and low-impact but hightech industries would benefit Wānaka. Some growth is inevitable, our job is to ensure it is the type of growth that benefits, rather than disadvantages, our communities and district. Kiddle: Viticulture, construction, craft, film and television, agriculture and ag services already comprise a vibrant non-tourism economy. Opportunity exists to grow specialist higher education services, medical services and information technology. How will you ensure a vibrant, downtown Wānaka area to ensure current and new businesses can succeed?
Boult: Implementing the Wānaka masterplan — improved transport networks, better access, and a beautified town centre and lakefront. Kiddle: Listen to local businesses about what works best, and then act on it.
Q
How will you ensure a sufficient provision of affordable housing in the district which is a key barrier for businesses to attract and retain staff? Angus: When I first came to the district, businesses by and large supplied accommodation and often meals. Some are already going back to this. It might be time for businesses to cut a little profit and help themselves. Boult: No council in our history has done more for resident housing than this one — I established the mayoral housing affordability taskforce which has worked with the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust to set up new home ownership schemes, broadening the criteria to increase the number of people eligible, and the council has worked with businesses and developers to provide worker Angus: More carparks. Keep the local ambiance accommodation. already there at all costs. Business success is not Kiddle: Incentivise developments that are council’s job. Services to ratepayers is the new/old currently underway to put residents into houses, priority. not tourists.
Q
Big band in Wānaka Ollie Blyth
journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz
PHOTO: Supplied
James Tait-Jamieson and the Queenstown Jazz Orchestra.
The Queenstown Jazz Orchestra are thrilled to announce that they will be travelling ‘over the hill’ to perform at the Lake Wānaka Centre this October, much to the delight of local jazz enthusiasts. The full 16-piece line up with be playing a number of well known classics on the night, from Glenn Miller to Ella Fitzgerald, and will feature Wellington-based vocalist/ saxophonist James Tait-Jamieson. The QJO is based on the big band era of the 1940’s with a variety of swing and other styles of music. Tait-Jamieson said that there’s nothing like playing with a big band, “a jazz
orchestra is a powerful ensemble, capable of a lot of different musical textures. As a vocalist I find it exhilarating to ride this musical wave of power,” he said. Local trumpeter and musical director of the group Trevor Tattersfield is proud to be able to bring this style of music to Wānaka for the first time, “We have had many requests to bring the band to Wānaka… we are the only community jazz orchestra in our district, and we feature top local musicians.” The Wānaka Sun has a double pass up for grabs to see the Queenstown Jazz Orchestra on Saturday October 12 at 7:30pm. See our Facebook page for more information on how you can get your hands on the tickets.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING by Emily Herbert
The art of saying no No. What a loaded word. I find it can be the hardest one to say. It sits with the other tough words and their niggly, itchy sentences in the ol’ tricky barrel — hunkering down next to “I’m wrong,” and “I’m sorry” and that dreaded “I made a mistake.” Aye carumba. We can find saying ‘no’ difficult for a bunch of reasons. When we give it a good eyeball, it’s interesting to see our relationship with it. It might be a learnt behaviour you’ve picked up from a parent, or an innate uneasiness. We hate letting people down. We feel guilty for not helping out, or being busier. We don’t want to hurt feelings, or not go above and beyond for others. We’re told to be yes people, to make sure we get all of the experiences. To be liked. To be included. To be full. To not get FOMO. However, when we start to peel back the layers of that titchy, two-lettered word, it’s interesting what we find. There’s space there. Room to breathe. ‘No’ is the springboard into the Slow Down. To make a few conscious decisions based on what we truly feel, side-stepping off the mouse wheel. Sure, there are times when you’ve gotta do what’s right, no matter the inconvenience, and step up when you’re needed. But when you’re feeling the burn, or the burnout, or you feel like everyone wants a little piece of you, it’s
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time to set some boundaries. When you’re a ‘no’ rookie, like moi, you can take baby steps. Start off with a pause when someone asks you a question. It might be a co-worker, asking you to cover for them when it really doesn’t suit, or a friend asking you for coffee when you’ve got a billion things to do, or actually would love a nap or a yoga class or a walk. Pause before you jump. Do you have the space, energy and time? Or is this going to be another thing on the pile of your heaped, straining day? Sit in the pause. Drop into your body and feel out how the choice feels to you. Does it feel light, or heavy? Does it sit in your chest, or your stomach? Go half way — say you’ll let them know as soon as you’re able. Think a little more. And if it’s not going to serve you, then give yourself permission to say thanks, but no thanks. Slowing down when you usually race is a splendid place to cultivate a little wriggle room, especially when life feels like a washing machine. I’m always curious about those who really ‘nail their no’. They’re polite, but firm; gracious but forthright. I find their honesty refreshing and inspiring, and realise that by saying no when they need, they have the time to fill their own vessel — as we all know, you can’t pour from an empty PHOTO: Pixabay cup. Saying ‘no’ to others, is sometimes saying ‘yes’ to yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Saying ‘no’ to others, is sometimes saying ‘yes’ to yourself. THURSDAY 19.09.19 - WEDNESDAY 25.09.19
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COUNTS Otago Regional Council Dunstan ward candidates For the past six years, I’ve had the privilege of being your I am standing for ORC because I want to see our water, land, air and coastal resources used in representative on the Otago Regional Council. The Dunstan sensible and sustainable ways. I am recently retired after 24 years as biosecurity manager for ward contributes only three of the 12 councillors on the Environment Southland, dealing with major environmental issues, including wilding conifers, ORC, so it’s very important to have effective representatives rabbits, wallaby, freshwater pests and biodiversity threats. I have also worked with other regional who can make our issues and concerns heard around the councils all over New Zealand and have a sound understanding of the sector. I hold BSc Hons council table. (geology) and MBA degrees from Otago University. I combine my extensive work experience There is almost universal agreement that the next three years and knowledge with a lifelong love of the area. are going to be the most challenging, and far-reaching, in the If I am elected to ORC, I would represent the Central Otago, Wakatipu and Upper Clutha council’s history. Five of the ORC’s councillors are retiring, communities to: 1) ensure that the ORC meets its legal obligations to sustainably manage the including its chairman. We have a relatively new chief executive natural and physical resources in the region, including the water, land, air and coast, for current and a very new senior management team. and future generations. My priorities are water, biodiversity, pest management (e.g., wallaby, lake This is a time for community-focused experience and for snow, etc) and building community engagement. 2) Promote an open culture in the ORC which an informed awareness of an array of complex environmental fosters trust and cooperation with the communities it serves. This will enable communities and challenges. These include new water-quality standards and the others to collaborate better with ORC, through integrated and effective working partnerships, Graeme Bell Richard Bowman to address the challenging environmental problems facing the region. allocation of water to sustain our economy, the necessity for the preservation and enhancement of our unique biodiversity, 3) Work with the council and community to address ORC’s serious under-resourcing. It needs and the serious menaces being presented by pests, both old and new. We have a mass of to upskill and grow as an organisation to become fit for purpose — particularly in the areas of science and community engagement. environmental challenges that are already upon us. It’s also a time for both courage and compassion — for holding governance and staff to account whilst listening to what our Central and Lakes communities are saying. I am Phill Hunt, standing for a position on the Otago Regional Council. I have lived in the I believe that I possess the detailed knowledge, the ability to listen and the capacity to act Upper Clutha for my whole life. I have held governance leadership positions with TB Free NZ, effectively. That has been my record these past six years. I seek your support to ensure that The Wānaka Show, Wānaka St Johns and Otago Federated Farmers. common sense, and the facts, are at the heart of every future council decision.” Farming with my wife Lizzie Carruthers, we have won both national production competitions and regional environmental awards. With a bit of thought and by working with the right people you can be both sustainable and highly productive. These two things are not mutually exclusive. The hands-off culture of council has gone too far. The ORC and affected parties need to work together to achieve results. This is valid in many We face exponential change, climate is changing, environment facets of the council’s operations, including, but not limited to, water quality and quantity, the degrading, and technology and ways of life are progressing at environment and pest control. exponential rates. Our response has to be clear, collaborative, Catchment and pest groups need to be set up and facilitation of these groups should be a creative and fast. We must change how we use water, soil, how we fundamental council responsibility. transport ourselves and goods. This requires an understanding Irrigation is important for pastoral farming; the fruit we cherish and the wine we drink. As our of our environment, science, and our communities — and a climate changes we will need to rely more on secondary storage. The Otago Regional Council determination to work together to drive improvement. Phill Hunt has a responsibility to be involved in this. A review of our transport network is required with My skills are governance, future thinking and public transport options for communities such as ours investigated. communication. I have had two terms on QLDC, eight So in conclusion, a vote for Phill Hunt should bring a more collaborative and open regional council with a continued focus on years as a lecturer in leadership for change and sustainability the environment and a respect for economic drivers within the whole of Otago. programmes, and 20 years in PR and journalism. Our communities are screaming out for engagement and support in addressing issues so my first priority is to drive strategies for inclusion and transparency. I stand for balance, sustainability, environment and opportunity – seeking the sweet spot between Alexa Forbes My priority issue is the climate crisis. My priority responses protecting the environment we value, and the economic outcomes critical to a thriving Wānaka/ are: 1) water; the draft national policy statement freshwater, Queenstown-Lakes and Central Otago. Our communities are growing at unprecedented levels. outlines a plan to drive urgent change in how we use, treat and allocate water. Implement it. 2) The pressure is immense on regional and local government to get the future right. Transport; prioritise public and active transport throughout the region. 3) Air quality; urban I was an ORC councillor from 2013 - 2016. ORC desperately needs strong stable leadership. and rural pollutants to be scrutinised. Clean air for all towns. My commitment to serve and my past experience offers you this. Regularly in the Wānaka area, Soils sequester CO2. Regenerating soil and preventing it from being lost to waterways where we have family land on Mt Aspiring Road. it pollutes, another priority. 4) Biodiversity; recognise and prioritise. 5) Science and education; I have long established family, and business connections across both Wānaka/ Queenstown-Lakes evidence to support effective action. Invest in it. Education so people understand and own their and Central Otago regions, with family dating back to the earliest Wānaka settlers. Our businesses personal impacts. include agriculture, roading/quarrying and administration. My community commitments involve The ‘how’? Bring scientific, community, iwi, professional, empirical and cultural knowledge chairing catchment water groups, and a regional research institute establishment committee. to bear in a broad consultative approach to each and every issue. Understand. Plan. Act. A civil engineer by profession, an accredited Resource Management Act commissioner, and a
International competition winners Jacquin Trio
Violin/Viola, Piano, Clarinet/Bass Clarinet performing Beethoven & Brahms Friday, 4 October, 7.30pm, Lake Wanaka Centre Cash sales from Gifted Design Store, 19 Helwick Street, Wanaka, or online at eventfinda.co.nz. Cash door sales from 6.30 pm. WCS subscribers $30; non-subscribers $35; children/students free. Presented by Wanaka Concert Society. Supported by QLDC. www.jacquintrio.com
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Gary Kelliher
member of the Institute of Directors. The next three years are not business as usual for the ORC. The framework on water quality and quantity, is being established and implemented, and sensible decision-making is required at the ORC table using science, facts and data that can be supported by the community. Ensuring and enhancing water quality in our lakes and rivers is critical, while
enabling a thriving economy. Better community engagement and regular sessions available to ratepayers across the region are further commitments I make if elected. I humbly seek your support.
This Otago Regional Council election is not only the most important in its history, but will shape our region’s environment for a generation to come. Over the past term, I make no apologies for being an assertive advocate for our community’s needs and for our environment’s requirements. My intellectual guide was the late Dr Maggie Lawton – an outstanding scientist and policy-maker who continually emphasised that there was no substitute for high-quality science. I’ve worked hard with fellow Dunstan reps Ella and Graeme, to raise the council’s awareness of Central/Lakes region, and to appropriately respond. We’ve made progress, but that progress must be maintained. This next term, we will be deciding water quality standards, creating urban water standards (long overdue), and deciding water allocation limits for the Arrow, Cardrona and Manuherikia catchments. Again, it must be quality science that guides our decision-making. And a good dose of equity. I am an unabashed advocate for reform of the ORC. Its pest, biodiversity, air quality and communication policies are poor. It has its senior staff in the wrong place, prioritising a $30 Michael Laws million HQ building, when the needs are elsewhere. That $30 million has to be reprioritised for the entire Otago environment. I’m the only councillor who has consistently opposed this dreadful wastage of your rates and will continue to do so. Thank you for the privilege of serving you these past three years. I respectfully ask for your mandate to keep the Central/Lakes at the forefront of all the ORC’s actions. THURSDAY 19.09.19 - WEDNESDAY 25.09.19
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COUNTS Q&A with ORC Dunstan ward candidates Phil Hunt: Yes. Plan change 6A covering rural water was notified in 2014 it is time similar discharge rules were applied to urban discharges. Gary Kelliher: Maybe. Councils should strive towards best practice in their long-term plans however global best practice (which has high population) may result in substantial financial burden on council/ratepayers and large rates increases Do you support QLDC’s application to Michael Laws: Yes. ORC for a 35-year consent to discharge sewage into District lakes and rivers? Would you support the QLDC’s continued non-compliance with its consent Graeme Bell: No. conditions of the Hāwea wastewater Richard Bowman: No. treatment plant? Alexa Forbes: Maybe. Spills need to be acknowledged Graeme Bell: No. QLDC must be making immediate and addressed. Correct consent conditions will result action to meet compliance or will be fined. in improvements to current situation. Richard Bowman: Maybe. Under a clear action plan Phil Hunt: No. Not 35 years but 10 to enable the to fix the problems and under the close regulatory QLDC to improve infrastructure while allowing ORC supervision of ORC. to monitor incidents with transparency. Alexa Forbes: No. ORC needs to work with QLDC to Gary Kelliher: No. ensure this plant is brought into compliance. Michael Laws: No. Made personal submission Phil Hunt: No. Any breach of any consent conditions opposing. should be followed up with a compliance investigation. Gary Kelliher: No. Council should be implementing a Would you support this application if it plan to rectify this under urgency. was for 10 years? Michael Laws: No. With assistance of Hāwea, we exposed ORC's non-monitoring.
These questions are restricted to issues of water and environment. Whilst ORC has responsibility for a broad array of issues, these were considered the most relevant to Wānaka. The questions were submitted by a variety of community groups including Guardians of Lake Wānaka, Upper Clutha Lakes Trust, and the Hāwea Community Association.
Q
Q
Graeme Bell: Yes. Richard Bowman: No. Alexa Forbes: Maybe. Only if action plans are provided immediately to remedy their current situation and appropriate mitigation plans. Phil Hunt: Yes. Gary Kelliher: No. This still results in lawful pollution. Michael Laws: No. I've been a mayor: you can apply interim fixes to sewage networks immediately.
Q
Q
Q
Do you support a plan to pipe raw sewage from Hāwea, across the Clutha River to Project Pure north of the Wānaka airport?
Graeme Bell: Yes. We need to invest in appropriate infrastructure to cope with Wānaka being the fastestgrowing community in the region. Richard Bowman: No. Alexa Forbes: Maybe. Phil Hunt: Maybe. So long as there is adequate infrastructure to handle the increased volume and medium-term future demand. Gary Kelliher: Yes. The pipe system will be engineered to best practice and failsafe at risk areas. Michael Laws: Maybe. Need to see far more facts/info before making judgement.
Would you support global best-practice for avoiding urban stormwater run-off into Queenstown Lakes District lakes and rivers? Graeme Bell: Yes. Yes (swales, wetlands sustainable landscaping and rain gardens, rain water harvesting) I recommend having combined consent hearings with Do you support the continued runORC and the territorial authorities. Richard Bowman: Yes. off laden with silt, nutrients, harmful Alexa Forbes: Yes. Keeping stormwater out of bacteria and protozoa into Lakes wastewater systems, treating it at source and at Wānaka, Wakatipu and Hāwea, and their discharge points, investigating the use of permeable catchments? hard surfaces are all essential elements of this work. Graeme Bell: No.
Q
Richard Bowman: No. This must be addressed through more stringent resource consent conditions and regulatory monitoring. Alexa Forbes: No. Stormwater needs to be treated at source and at discharge points. Much work needs to be done to prevent the pollutants at origin which means change in many behaviours and systems. Phil Hunt: No. In rural areas this is controlled by PC6A and breaches should be investigated and similar rules should govern urban areas. Gary Kelliher: Maybe. This depends on the levels and robust science/evidence of scale of impact on overall lake water quality. Michael Laws: No.
Q
How would you stop the serious mismanagement of the water quality and ecosystem function of the Upper Clutha lakes, rivers and aquifers? Graeme Bell: Increase monitoring of issues and further enforcement and education. Richard Bowman: As a first step ORC must increase the coverage and frequency of water quality monitoring of surface and groundwater through out the catchment to identify hot spots and to enable prompt evidencebased remedial actions to be taken. Alexa Forbes: Support genuine engagement and implementation of the draft National Policy Statement: Freshwater. This provides the tools for regional council to drive the urgent, rapid and effective change that is required. Collaborate, coordinate and commit to the understanding of, and improvement to, water health. Phil Hunt: The ORC must be involved at grassroots levels to facilitate catchment groups and get whole communities involved in protecting our environment. Gary Kelliher: Using comprehensive science and robust information gathering for all encompassing decision making. Michael Laws: Quality science and monitoring first. Lake buoy essential. Enforce existing consents.
Q
What is the current local environmental issue that causes you personally most concern?
Graeme Bell: Land degradation, Wilding pines, rabbits and wallabies moving into our region. Richard Bowman: Water quality and quantity issues. Alexa Forbes: Health of our waterways. Lack of coordination between local groups, local and regional councils and low standards that allow pollution.
Market in your calendars
Phil Hunt: Water quality and the protection of our lakes and rivers number one with biodiversity number two. Gary Kelliher: Lagrosiphon in Lakes Wānaka and Dunstan. Michael Laws: Water quality including aquatic pest invasions.
Q
Have you read the Paris Agreement to which NZ is a signatory?
Graeme Bell: No. Richard Bowman: No. But have general understanding of it. Alexa Forbes: Yes. Paris Agreement gives us a framework that empowers decisionmaking through central government and down to regional and local authorities. Phil Hunt: No. Gary Kelliher: Yes. Michael Laws: Yes.
Q
Do you agree that protection and restoration of indigenous wetlands and woody vegetation throughout the district is a key action contributing to climate change mitigation? Graeme Bell: Maybe. That is a very positive step but our best climate change mitigation is actually reducing carbon consumption. Richard Bowman: Yes. Communities need to continue to take a lead in biodiversity protection and restoration as a grassroots response to climate change with the active support of local and central government agencies as well as the corporate sector. Alexa Forbes: Yes. Healthy wetlands are carbon sinks (mostly peat accumulation), damaged wetlands release GHGs. Protecting and regenerating wetlands (including estuaries). They need to be respected for their inherent value as well as the vital service they provide in holding carbon as well as filtering the runoff from land and mitigating land use impacts. Phil Hunt: Maybe. On a case by case basis, new plantings and wetland creation can have a more beneficial and greater impact on climate change mitigation and the wider environment. Gary Kelliher: Maybe. This will be one of many key actions in the future factoring of climate change. Michael Laws: Maybe. There are a multitude of positive actions that can be undertaken.
Enter the Ignite Wānaka business awards
Abby Costen
newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz
A local artist and chef has announced plans to set up a Sunday market in Hāwea and is looking for support from hopeful exhibitors. Roy Kewish envisages the summer market to sell fresh local produce, showcase the region’s gifted artists and musicians, and eventually offer wellbeing workshops. Kewish said, “Small town markets are a wonderful opportunity for individuals to showcase the diversity that exists in all of us [...]. I personally enjoy the chilled vibe that an open market can create.”. Kewish added, “This concept of bringing talented people together in the form of a local community market was created [...] by Anthony Alderson and myself over a couple of cold ones and a [...] competitive international petanque game [...], which Ant won. [...] The recent tragedy of Anthony's untimely passing serves as a reinforcement of the need for us to stick together and support each other. I will move forward with the concept thanks to the blessing of Kellianne, Anthony's wife, of which I am very grateful for.”. Kewish hopes to have the market up-and-running by December, “when the glorious weather has arrived and the area has begun to swell with visitors”. Jack Barlow, on behalf of Queenstown Lake District Council, said,
THE WĀNAKA SUN
PHOTO: Marianna Muniz Photography
A previous awards gala dinner, which celebrated the success of the businesses who participated in the 2017 Ignite Wānaka business awards.
Abby Costen
newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz
PHOTO: supplied
Conceptual image of Roy’s current art gallery in Hāwea.
“Council is happy to assist people who have ideas that contribute to the community [...]. If planning an event, it is advisable that people contact the council while in the planning stages.”. Those wishing to register their interest in displaying products at this potential Sunday market in Hāwea can contact Kewish by calling 0275644540 or emailing queball300@gmail.com.
Ignite Wānaka business awards is coming back to Upper Clutha and entries are now open. This year’s event offers a fresh category for start-ups called Young Enterprise, which provides the chance to win return flights to Auckland to spend a day learning from Air New Zealand’s leadership team. A trustee of Startup Queenstown Lakes and Alpine Community Development Trust, Wayne Hudson, is the new convenor. Hudson said, “Entering the awards gives businesses the chance to think about what
THURSDAY 19.09.19 - WEDNESDAY 25.09.19
they do well, where they’re going and how they intend to make a difference. Past finalists and category winners have genuinely benefitted by the opportunity—not only have people loved being involved in the process, it has boosted their confidence and further improved the possibility of business and personal success.” The award finalists will be announced at Ignite Wānaka chamber’s AGM on November 6 and the awards gala dinner will be held at a secret location on November 29. There is no fee to apply and entries close at 5pm on October 21. Find out more or fill in an application form at igniteWānaka.co.nz.
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The evolution of Wānaka Ski and Snowsports Club As the sale of TC to Cardrona moves imminently closer, the Wānaka Sun looks back over some of TC’s history. ALLISON MCLEAN
journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz
Peter King, founding president and life member of WSC, now called WSSC.
PHOTOs: Supplied
As Treble Cone (TC) was getting started as a commercial ski area, a group of Wānaka locals were mooting the town's first ski club. Fast forward to last June (2019) where Wānaka Ski and Snowsports Club (WSSC) celebrated its 40th birthday; four decades have passed since the club, social in origin, put Wānaka on the map to the alpine ski world. Formerly called the Wānaka Ski Club (WSC), the group was officially formed in 1979 with its members passionate about the slopes of TC. Founding president and WSSC life member Peter King had been a member of ski clubs in Otago and Canterbury prior to moving to Wānaka in 1976. He quickly got to know the fellow skiers in town at the time and suggested the idea of a ski club. "At the time the club got started, there was a chap called Graham Sinclair who had bought into TC and was essentially the managing director," said King. "Graham heard that we wanted to start the ski club and thought it was a really good idea because he wanted more people on the ski area. And, a ski club was one body that could do that." With the help of local young teachers Heather and Gregor Ronald, the club became an incorporated society and was formed at the Kingsway diner. Membership dues were around $5 per year and included a discount for TC day passes. "That discount far outweighed the WSC membership, so within a very short period of time, we had around 300 members," said King. As TC continued developing, the group's ski field discount eventually disappeared, and WSC's reason for existence nearly disappeared as well, until eventual club president Prue Wallis entered the scene. Wallis quickly saw the opportunity for children's programming within the club. "Once the mountain got going, and Cardrona started at about the same time, children were
skiing with their school, but they didn't go skiing again because their parents didn't ski and it was expensive," said Wallis. "We were a small village, so what happened was that I and a group of friends started to organise, and we changed the club." Wallis was elected to the committee, and the young social club started up children's programmes. "We were assigned two ski instructors, Mike Shenkell and Jude Arvidsen," said Wallis. "They are keen ski racers, which none of us had done.” She added, "Coronet Peak had a very active racing programme, and the Queenstown skiers were skiing nationally and internationally. There was no such thing in Wānaka." With the amount of children who wanted to ski, and the parents who could not afford to learn, meant the number of people who wanted to join WSC grew to be enormous. The group set up ski programmes where children went to class, learned to ski and also to race. "That's what Mike and Jude were all about," said Wallis. However, as the children grew older and started to go away to school, the families spent less time on the mountain and memberships once again started to dwindle. The landscape of snow sports was also changing as snowboarders started to arrive on the slopes in the 1990s. By the mid 90s, the clubs membership had diminished and it was regarded as a ski racing club. Tony Rice had a great rapport with the Austrian coaches and people were becoming ski race inspired. To help with inspiring the young local athletes, Sean Langmuir was hired by the club and brought with him a number of Scottish athletes from Scotland. Present Secretary Bonny Teat joined the committee in 1995 and has continued the club's story. To be more membership-inclusive, the WSC started organising ski improvement for older members on both TC and Cardrona. Our athletes were training on both mountains and families had skiers and boarders. In 1997/1998, a WSC sub-committee formed the WSC Academy, which provided coaches, transport and also extra
Cardrona a step closer to buying Treble Cone ALLISON MCLEAN
journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz
Battle of the Book Lovers Grab your book-loving family and friends and test your literary knowledge at our fun family quiz. A mixed bag of bookish questions awaits!
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PAGE 14
Cardrona Alpine Resort is seeking approval to buy the stunning, but struggling, Treble Cone (TC) Ski Area. Earlier this month, the Commerce Commission (ComCom) announced it received an application from Cardrona Alpine Resort Limited seeking clearance to acquire all of the shares TC Investments or TC skifield assets. ComCom has 40 business days to make a clearance decision on the case; it said it will give clearance to a proposed merger if it is satisfied that the merger will not substantially lessen market competition. ComCom told the Wānaka Sun that decision timeline can be extended when needed. Cardrona is owned and operated by the Wayfare group of companies, which also owns Real Journeys. The skifield, located between Wānaka and Queenstown, boasts more skier days (the number of skiers per day throughout the season) than any other New Zealand resort. Whilst Cardrona is number one in skier days it is number four in terrain. The proposed acquisition would also give Cardrona control of the Soho basin (the land directly behind Cardrona), which is owned by the majority shareholder of TC, thereby giving the Cardrona-TC deal 50 percent more terrain than any other NZ ski region at nearly 1500ha. Cardrona signed a conditional agreement to buy the TC Ski Area, which offers a terrain more suitable for advanced skiers and snowboarders, for $7 million back in June. If it moves forward with the purchase, it reportedly will make an offer to TC and its shareholders, whom would have to accept for the sale to proceed. Cardrona said it plans to combine Cardrona and TC to deliver on a dual-mountain experience with ‘more variety than either NZSki or Ruapehu Alpine Lifts for a lower cost to consumers.’ It is reported that this offer will ‘improve the ability of Cardrona and TC to attract both international and domestic skiers.’ The acquisition would make Cardrona-TC the third largest skifield operator behind NZSki and Mt Ruapehu THURSDAY 19.09.19 - WEDNESDAY 25.09.19
PHOTO: Supplied
Treble Cone is known as a field for advanced skiers and snowboarders.
ski area. As a result, Cardrona believes that the combination of Cardrona and TC will increase competition to the benefit of NZ skiers and the NZ ski industry, rather than substantially lessening competition in any market. The feedback to the possible sale has been mostly positive within the community with Sir Tim Wallis, who was instrumental in identifying and commencing TC’s initial development in the early 1960s, hailing it as good news. “I read the reports in the paper and think it’s a good idea,” Wallis said to the Wānaka Sun. “Or, that it’s a big way out.” He added, “[Wayfare] is a very progressive company; look how they developed Cardona.” Wānaka Ski and Snowsports Club secretary Bonny Teat said, “Families will hopefully be able to enjoy the expansive terrain of both areas with less cost through a dual pass. We await the future announcements."
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academic lessons for athletes to keep up with school work. The WSC Academy contracted Adi Bernasconi, who still resides here and coaches at Cardrona. The academy started attracting athletes from across the globe. Queenstown already had an academy which allowed for kids to go to Spain in the off-season to train. World Ski Connect adopted that idea with Grant Winsloe and Bernasconi using Switzerland as a base. The WSC Academy ran for four years and was eventually sold to TC and then renamed the Treble Cone Race Academy. WSC officially changed its name to WSSC to reflect the evolution of snow sports in Wānaka and the wider range of snow sports activities that were of interest to its members. WSSC's fluidity and adaptation over the decades have also been instrumental in helping children make their dreams a reality. In the late 1990s, it started more fundraising for a desired onmountain base. From the early 2000s, WSC raised additional funds through organising increasing International Alpine events in order to support athletes. The committee policy began allocating grants for the younger children, including a compulsory report back to the club where they were required to speak publicly and show footage of their achievements. This allowed the children to give something back in return and to (left to right) WSSC members and bro build their confidence in public speaking. thers Nico Burrowes and Benji Pujol on the summ In the last six years the club has organised a earlier it of TC this year. Burrowe s is a current Gras Grassroots program for six- to 12-year-olds, member and sroots Pujol was a previo us recipient. including a Nordic skiing through all the other disciplines. The club also offers skill improvement lessons for older skiers, called Social Locals, which have given many people, especially women, extra confidence to ski on steeper terrain and continue into older age. The WSSC continues to support its numerous members, some of whom are now Freeride World Tour leaders, World Cup athletes in all disciplines, X Games medallists and Olympians. As of today, WSSC is one of the largest snow sports clubs in New Zealand. Teat said the details of the proposed sale of TC to Cardrona, along with future season passes, are unknown as everything is based upon speculation at this stage. “However, WSSC anticipates a shared mountain pass enabling our athletes to train on the entirely different terrain offered by TC and TPrue Wallis (number 43) and adult WSC members preparing to race for the Cockies Cardrona/Soho [basin],” she said. Cup at Treble Cone in the late 1980s.
Special Olympics on now at Cardrona
WSC children’s training programme on Treble Cone.
Young WSC members in 2005.
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Snowboarder Cosmo Adams, competing in the Special Olympics yesterday at Cardrona.
Ollie Blyth
journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz
Yesterday, Wednesday September 18, Special Olympics New Zealand kicked off the 2019 national winter games at Cardrona Resort. The games are hosted for around 50 athletes with intellectual disabilities and a passion for snowsports, particularly snowboarding and alpine skiing. This year they’ll be supported by 39 coaches and team managers who help to put the biannual event on the calendar. Athletes can compete in three events: Super G, Slalom and Giant Slalom. Competition is offered at three levels: novice, intermediate and advanced. Founded in 1968, Special Olympics NZ is a nationwide organisation that provides sports training to children and adults across the country who have intellectual disabilities. They run
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PHOTO: Casey Ripper
13 Olympic-style nationwide programmes throughout the year that cater to over 7,000 athletes, helping the participants to develop fitness, encourage courage and foster joy in their lives. Chief executive of the group Carolyn Young said that she is happy to be able to present this opportunity, “the athletes are all excited and are putting the final touches on their training and preparation for the Games,” she said. Young added that, “of course we are looking forward to seeing how they all perform on the slopes, but the event is also an opportunity for athletes with intellectual disabilities from all around the country to get together with their mates, make new friends, and have a great time.” This year’s winter games will finish off this Saturday with a closing ceremony, farewell dinner and highly anticipated disco for all involved. THURSDAY 19.09.19 - WEDNESDAY 25.09.19
Wanaka’s NEW Sushi Takeaway
BUY AN 8 PACK OF SUSHI & GET 1 FREE MISO SOUP Located on the lakefront behind The Doughbin Bakery
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Success for social netball team Ollie Blyth
journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz
The Wānaka Lakes Health Centre social netball team are please to announce that they won the adults social B grade this season. The team, mostly made up of staff from the health centre, played against Mountainside in the final. Team member Heather McClintock said that the team was a great success for all involved, “The team captain Victoriya had never played netball before last season and thought it was so much fun she would get a work team together this year. Wānaka Lakes Health Centre endorsed the initiative, paying for the team uniforms to support workplace wellbeing and encourage staff working in the building to get to know
each other.” She added that the staff were all very keen on getting involved, “an invitation to join the team was sent out to all the tenants in the health centre and some experienced players came forward as well as some who have never played before but were keen to learn. The social aspect of getting together was fun as well as a chance to get some exercise on cold winter nights. It became a mixed team of ages from young to older, with coaching offered by some of the players’ children and some other experts who work at the health centre. An outstanding result from a team of newbies who are very grateful for all the support given by umpires and others.” The team would like to thank Netball Upper Clutha for their work in helping to organise the teams. The Wānaka Lakes Health Centre social netball team.
PHOTO: Supplied
World-class sports speakers in town Abby Costen
newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz
Upper Clutha Sports Community’s (UCSC) has announced its line-up for their speaker series on September 24. ‘Mind over matter: success in the face of adversity’ is the theme of the talks evening, which aims to create a forum for local sports coaches, managers and athletes to increase knowledge, improve performance and provide top-notch entertainment. “To have secured the services of worldrenowned sports psychologist, Dave Collins, is a real coup,” said speaker series coordinator Britt Hawes. “To then have Tom Wilmott, Snowsports NZ head pipe and park coach; Dougal Allan, endurance athlete; and Annabel Anderson, multiple world stand-up paddleboard champion, speaking, offers a variety of viewpoints and ensures there will be something for everyone”. The event is taking place at Wanaka Presbyterian Church on Tenby Street in Wanaka from 7pm to 8.30pm on September 24. Tickets can be purchased at eventfinda.co.nz/2019/ gallaway-cook-allan-sports-speakerPHOTO: Tommy Pyatt Photography series-2019/wanaka. Gallaway Cook Allan Sports Speaker Series 2019 event Find out more by calling 0272257001.
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Meeting Schedule for October 2019 Public Notice is hereby given in terms of Section 46 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 that meetings of the Council will be held as follows, during the month of October 2019. Appeals Subcommittee – Council Chambers, 10 Gorge Road, Queenstown. Thursday 3 October 2019 at 10.00am. This meeting will be held with the public excluded, pursuant to Section 7(2)(g) and Section 7(2)(i) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987. Audit, Finance & Risk Committee – Council Chambers, 10 Gorge Road, Queenstown. Thursday 3 October 2019 at 1.00pm. Queenstown Lakes District Council – Council Chambers, 10 Gorge Road, Queenstown. Thursday 10 October 2019 at 1.00pm. Meeting dates, times and venues are subject to change. All of the above meetings are open to the public. Some meetings may have items of business that will be discussed with the public excluded, as set out by the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.
Phone: 03 443 8000 Top of Helwick Street, Wānaka
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Do we need measles masks?
Given the current measles outbreak and risk to our community, why are we not being advised to do as they do in Japan? The fact that the symptoms are so common to begin with, to be considerate of spreading germs should we not all get into wearing a surgical mask in public spaces to help reduce this outbreak?? This seems like a simple thing that could really help right now? It's only a matter of time until it hits Wānaka, or has it already? B. MacKay
A response from medical officer of health
In a number of countries it is the social norm to wear a face mask with the aim of either protecting the wearer from respiratory infection or to protect others from someone with symptoms. The evidence for the effectiveness of some brands of masks purchased over the counter may be limited. They are not tolerated by some and masks become soggy with prolonged use and need regular changing. The effectiveness of a mask at blocking the inhalation of germs is dependent on the user and how well they are fitted. While masks may have some protection for respiratory infection there are other routes of infection such as the eyes and transmission of viruses by hand which a mask will not prevent. Where clinical staff are trained in the proper use of masks, in addition to gowns, gloves and eye protection the combination is effective at reducing transmission of respiratory viruses including measles. Masks designed for use in medical settings filter a high proportion of particles in the inhaled air. The risk of transmission of measles in an outdoor environment is low. Immunisation remains the best protection against measles. Dr Greg Simmons, SDHB
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Pro airport support raises their voice
Rubbish collection: the struggle is real
Ruth Homer: The nay sayers are just burying their heads in the sand. The horse bolted in Wānaka years ago and preventing the expansion of jets into Wānaka will not change a thing. I am all for it....easy access to the town for family living up north and the visitors who will spend money here. Bring it on.
Just wondering if I am the only person in town struggling with the new rubbish system? They keep not collecting the rubbish or recycling, leaving stupid notes on bins and generally failing to collect my rubbish every week! What is going on? This week they haven't collected my rubbish because it wasn't exactly five* [stat] centimetres away from the bin next to it. It is beyond ridiculous and petty. I was wondering if anyone else had this problem in town? I know everyone on our private street is not happy and we have all been ringing the council to complain. Tiffany Firth *Editor’s note: it actually needs to be 50cm away from a neighbouring bin.
Ian Percy: It’s such an emotive subject that no matter how much information is out there, it’ll divide people. And you can’t shut down one side without shutting down both...and I don’t think the organised naysayers would take kindly to any attempt to do that.
Queenstown Lakes District Council responds
“Thanks for writing in to share your views and we’re sorry to hear you have had some challenges using the new kerbside collection service. We understand our contractor has been in touch to talk through your specific concerns. “Our drivers are helping to provide ongoing education through a variety of bin stickers. As well as being super cute (the stickers, we mean!), they are offering tips to help residents get the best out of the service. So if you get one on your bin, it’s because something needs to change and we recommend following the sticker’s advice. “One of the more common issues our drivers have been coming across lately is the presentation of bins at the kerb. It’s really important these are at least half a metre apart and in a single row to ensure they can be collected safely.”
Peter Marshall: When I talk to all the guys working with me they are too busy. Working 10 hrs a day to pay mortgages, feed kids etc. to read what is largely scaremonger info. This is a classic bunch of self interested people that have made it through the capital growth of Wānaka and now want to pull the draw bridge up. When I ask" is the issue People or Planes?" The answer that comes back is BOTH. The reality is that the destination from Wānaka is Auckland. No airline will fly a prop plane there.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR To submit a letter for possible publication in the Wānaka Sun, please send it via email to editor@thewanakasun.co.nz.
Crimeline
Letters can also be sent by private message on our Facebook page. Letters may be edited or abridged. Letters of no more than 300 words are preferred.
Mclean B Bruce Senior Constable, NZPD Kia ora koutou. Well the full moon seemed to play its part over the weekend with us attending an increase of the unusual jobs this week. Some say the moon has no effect but from what I have seen so many times I believe otherwise. A male was spoken to after he was located urinating on a car in a ski field carpark. The owner of the vehicle was offended by coming across this behaviour, especially in front of his children, but the male did not stop even after being asked to do so. He then urinated on the neighbouring vehicle and left. No surprise that he was arrested for his actions. We are investigating a burglary of a house where a safe was removed from an address. We attended a noisy party in Hāwea around 8:30pm. I am not sure if people are aware, but at any time of day or night noise control can be called to look into a noise complaint. It is all about reasonable noise for the time, place and circumstances. What is a comfortable volume at 3pm may be far too high at 10pm or later. There was a report of a bike being stolen from outside a local café. Bicycles which are not locked make it too easy for a thief to take. It is unacceptable to steal something that belongs to someone else but let’s try and secure our things so it is at least not too easy to do.
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We caught another four drink drivers this week with one being more than three times the legal alcohol limit. I sometimes wonder what their friends are thinking when they know their friend has been drinking and then gets in the car. Why are we not caring enough for them or yourselves to stop them from driving and finding another way to get home? All of these people had a short distance to travel to get home. We were called to a pair of suspicious males outside a local backpacker. They were smoking cannabis on a main street in town with passers-by so there was no surprise we were called. A number of calls to police of bad drivers on our roads again. Can I remind our readers that it is not only foreign drivers who are the subject of driving complaints. Stay on your own side of the road, obey the speed limit and don’t overtake with less than 100 metres of clear visibility throughout the entire manoeuvre. Stay safe out there please. We also dealt with a number of family harm matters over the week. There are only a few weeks of ski season left so let’s see if we can get through relatively unscathed overall. Look after each other and make sure you are not only thinking of yourself as many of the people in the matters we dealt with this week did. Kia tiro, ka mihi.
Holy Family School has spaces available for both Catholic and non Catholic families in the Intermediate area (Year 7& 8) of the school for the 2020 year. Because of our strong sense of family and small size, we are able to provide opportunities for all of our students to shine in our supportive, safe environment, where the individuality of each student is celebrated. We are proud of our numerous intervention programmes that both support and extend learners. We place a high value on providing our Year 7 & 8 students with opportunities to develop important leadership attributes and positive relationships which will help them in the future.
THURSDAY 19.09.19 - WEDNESDAY 25.09.19
For more information or an enrolment form, check out our website: www.holyfamilywanaka.school.nz. To organise a visit please contact our principal Jo McKay: principal@holyfamilywanaka.school.nz
PAGE 17
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Please send sports results to sports@thewanakasun.co.nz by Tuesday at noon. Results should be unformatted and presented in the body of the email. Monday – Aspiring Stakes 2 North/South: 1st Mark Harry Wānaka Progressive Bowls Heather Wellman 59.90%, 2nd Terry Wilson Ken Roberts Skips: 1st T Tovey, 2nd I Fletcher, 3rd A Moore. 55.98%, 3rd Errol Kelly Jan Lyness 55.11%. East/West: 1st Thirds: 1st C Kiewiet, 2nd J Hill. Leads: 1st G Russell, 2nd J Rich, 3rd T Tattersfield, 4th N Clare Scurr Georgie Roberts 59.02%, 2nd Maggie Stratford Judy Briggs 58.85%, 3rd Tony Winters Bob Menlove 56.68%. Matheson. Wednesday – Cloudy Peak Pairs 1, North/South: 1st Tarras Golf Dorothy McDonald Barbara Thompson 60.16%, 2nd John Results from a medal round played September 7, 2019. Schwarz Bridget McCaughan 57.81%, 2nd Jen Milburn John G Lucas 108-43-65, H Reinecke 75-7-68, S Johnston 86-15Milburn 57.81%. East/West: 1st Ena Leckie Jacqui Roberts 71, D Allen 106-32-74, G Rive 100-25-75, D Wilson 11264.20%, 2nd Sue Blake Annie Hudson 56.53%, 3rd Carole 37-75. Turner Jan Wynn-Williams 56.25%. Nett Eagles: D Allen No 13, K Galloway 2 + 18, B Rowley 7 + Friday September 13, Handicap, North/South: 1st Ena 10, H Reinecke 11, G Lucas 12. Birdies: H Reinecke (1). Leckie Laraine Shepherd 59.34%, 2nd Deirdre Lynch Heather Results from Jack and Noni Mead tray played September Wellman 51.79%, 3rd Margaret Newell Annie Hudson 51.68%. 14, 2019. 4BBB bogey Dave Allen and Debbie Brent +4, East/West: 1st Joy Baxter Barbara Waterworth 53.10%, 2nd Holger Reinecke and Chris Illingworth +2. Kate Coe Tommie Munns 52.31%, 3rd Jenny Pryde Marion Men also played a bogey: B Rowley +5, S Johnston +3, G Furneaux 52.01%. Rive +2, W Bosley +1, M Hyndman and D Agnew all square. Wānaka intermediate tournament Saturday September Nett Eagles: B Rowley No 15, W Bosley 18, G Rive 2, D 14: 1st Mark Harry Marc Simmonds 60.36%, 2nd Lesley Agnew 5. Davies Andrew McLennan 59.33%, 3rd Carolyn Field Jen Birdies: D Agnew and W Bosley. Milburn 58.70%. Best junior pair: John Schwarz Neil Robinson 49.67%. Wānaka Bridge Club
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Wānaka Salvation Army Family Store. Opening Hours – Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm, Saturday 9.30am – 4pm. We look forward to seeing you here! Donations kindly received. Please drop them into the Salvation Army Family store or ph 443 5068 to book a pick up. Cut rags (100% cotton) and drop cloths, only $7 for a big bag. Now in the yard container at Wastebusters. Open 9-5 seven days. Rags, rags, rags ... little ones, big ones, cotton ones and drop cloths, available from the Wānaka Salvation Army Family Store 443 5068. Business Networking International. The Wānaka chapter of BNI meets weekly at 7am Tuesday morning. Great networking opportunity to grow your business. Contact Randal Dobbs for information 021 973 043. Promote your Brand Message From: ChrissieThomson Phone: 0272623706. Email: Chookthomson@gmail.com
Thanks to everyone who comes to Wastebusters to donate goods, shop and recycle. Your support helps us work for zero waste and a resourceful community.
WANTED Merino, if anyone has any Merino clothing to spare could you kindly drop it into the Salvation Army Family Store, 48 Helwick Street Wanted by the Salvation Army Family Store, if any one has any spare pillow cases we would love them, please just drop them into the store, thanks. The Salvation Army Family Store is desperately needing good quality mens clothing and shoes. If you could please just drop these into the store or phone for a pick up for large amounts. Volunteers welcomed at The Salvation Army Family store if you have some free time and would like to be part of a team which makes a difference, come and see us. HAY-Looking for a couple of bales of meadow hay for horses. Prefer square bales to round.0272623706
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SERVICES Wanaka Pharmacy is your local pharmacy. We’re the big pharmacy at the top of Helwick Street - open from 8am until 7pm every single day. Ph 443 8000. WHEELS TO DUNSTAN - free shuttle service is available to Dunstan Hospital or Alexandra specialist appointments, also linking with the St John Health Shuttle to Dunedin Hospital. For bookings, please call Community Networks on 443 7799. JP SERVICES are available at Community Networks every Tuesday from 1pm2pm and Friday from 10:30-11:30am. Please book your appointment by ringing Community Networks on 03 443 7799. INLAND REVENUE are at Community Networks, Wednesday 25 September 2019. If you need help with your Tax return, Family tax credits or any other enquiry give Inland revenue a call on 03 951 2109 to make a booking. OUR COMMUNITY FOODBANK winter wish-list for donations are very much appreciated - Rice & pasta, tinned fish/meat, breakfast cereals, single serve meals, crackers, frozen food items and children's lunchbox items. Thank you to the Wanaka community for your ongoing support of our foodbank.
Queenstown Lakes District Council invites submissions on Stage 3 of the Queenstown Lakes Proposed District Plan. Stage 3 includes the review of the following Operative District Plan zones: Industrial A and B zones, Ballantyne Road Mixed Use Special Zone, Three Parks Special Zone and Township zones. Stage 3 also introduces sites of significance to Iwi, and design guidelines for various residential zones. Stage 3 introduces the following new zones: General Industrial Zone, Three Parks Commercial Zone and Settlement Zone into the PDP. Stage 3 also introduces newly zoned land and a new (district wide) Wāhi Tāpuna Chapter and Overlay on the plan maps, as well as Design Guidelines for various residential zones, that affect Stage 1, 2 and 3 land. In addition, Stage 3 proposes a number of new zonings, mapping annotations and variations and amendments to land and provisions decided through Stages 1 and 2 of the PDP. The provisions proposed for variation affect the following PDP chapters: Chapter 2 Definitions; Chapter 7 Lower Density Suburban Residential; Chapter 8 Medium Density Residential; Chapter 9 High Density Residential; Chapter 12 Queenstown Town Centre; Chapter 13 Wānaka Town Centre; Chapter 14 Arrowtown Town Centre; Chapter 15 Local Shopping Centre; Chapter 16 Business Mixed Use Zone; Chapter 21 Rural; Chapter 22 Rural Residential & Rural Lifestyle; Chapter 23 Gibbston Character Zone; Chapter 24 Wakatipu Basin; Chapter 25 Earthworks; Chapter 26 Historic Heritage; Chapter 27 Subdivision and Development; Chapter 29 Transport; Chapter 30 Energy and Utilities; Chapter 31 Signs; Chapter 36 Noise; and Chapter 43 Millbrook. The Stage 3 zones apply to the areas of land notified with these zones as shown on the Stage 3 Web Mapping Application Viewer. The notified Stage 3 zones vary the zoning applied to some land already notified in Stages 1 and 2 of the Proposed District Plan, including Frankton Road and Atley Road in Queenstown and Brownston Street and Ballantyne Road in Wānaka. There may be zoning proposals that affect you, even if the zoning of your land was decided as part of Stage 1 or 2. We invite you to take a look and see what Stage 3 could mean for you. The district wide chapters and provisions notified as part of Stage 3, and variations to Stage 1 and Stage 2 district wide chapters, will apply to all land notified as part of Stages 1, 2 and 3 of the Proposed District Plan. All Queenstown Lakes District Ratepayers should receive a summary of the changes proposed by Stage 3 by mail or email. If you didn’t receive a copy, you can find it online at www.qldc.govt.nz/proposed-district-planstage-3 Where to view Stage 3 of the Proposed District Plan In addition to viewing the notified Stage 3 proposals online at www.qldc.govt.nz/proposed-district-plan-stage-3 a copy of the Stage 3 proposals (including the notified plan maps) can be viewed at any of the following locations: Council Offices, between 8.30am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday: • 10 Gorge Road, Queenstown • 74 Shotover Street, Queenstown • 47 Ardmore Street, Wānaka Public Libraries, opening hours vary, please check www.codc-qldc.govt.nz for details: • Queenstown Library: 10 Gorge Road • Wānaka Library: Dunmore Street • Arrowtown Library: 58 Buckingham Street • Makarora Library: Rata Road • Glenorchy Library: 13 Islay Street • Lake Hāwea Library: Myra Street • Kingston Library: 48 Kent Street Plan Maps The proposed Stage 3 zoning and mapping annotations can be viewed
online using the Stage 3 Web Mapping Application Viewer: www.qldc.govt.nz/pdpstage3-notifiedversion. The pop up window that appears on opening the viewer contains simple instructions for using the viewer. The bookmarks will take you directly to the notified Stage 3 zone changes. In order to check whether a Wāhi Tāpuna notation applies to any particular property, we recommend that you use the search function. The Council is not producing a series of PDF maps for Stage 3, but an on-line copy of the notified Stage 3 plan maps will be available to view at Council’s offices and all public libraries within the district free of charge. Submissions Options for making a submission are: • Online: www.qldc.govt.nz/proposed-district-plan-stage-3 • Post: Queenstown Lakes District Council, Private Bag 50072, Queenstown 9348, Attention: Proposed District Plan Submission • Email: pdpsubmissions@qldc.govt.nz (subject line: Proposed District Plan Submission) Any written submissions that do not use the online form must be made using Form 5, as prescribed by the Resource Management (Forms, Fees, and Procedure) Regulations 2003. All submissions must state whether or not you wish to be heard in support of your submission at a hearing. The submission form is available from the locations listed above, as well as the MFE and New Zealand Legislation websites. The closing date for submissions is Monday, 18 November 2019. It is important to be aware that the Council’s decisions on the provisions and plan maps notified as part of Stages 1 and 2 of the Proposed District Plan have been issued. Any submissions relating to provisions, zones and mapping annotations not notified as part of Stage 3 of the Proposed District Plan are likely to be considered “out of scope”, and will not be able to be considered. The Stage 3 district wide chapters and some variations apply to all land, or specific land, included in the Proposed District Plan. The Stage 3 zones only apply to the land shown as notified on the Stage 3 Web Mapping Application viewer. What happens next? After submissions close: • •
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A summary of decisions requested by submitters will be prepared and publicly notified. People who represent a relevant aspect of the public interest or have an interest greater than the general public may make a further submission, in the prescribed form within ten working days of notification of the summary of decisions sought, supporting or opposing submissions already made; A copy of the further submission must also be served on the Council and the person who made the original submission; Submitters may speak in support of their submission(s) at a hearing if they have indicated in their submission that they wish to be heard; Following the hearing, the Council will give public notice of its decisions on Stage 3 of the Proposed District Plan and matters raised in submissions, including its reasons for accepting or rejecting submissions; Every submitter then has the right to appeal the Council’s decisions on Stage 3 of the Proposed District Plan to the Environment Court.
Want more info or help understanding the proposals? Visit www.qldc.govt.nz/proposed-district-plan-stage-3 to find a range of fact sheets to help you understand some of the more technical aspects of the provisions notified as part of Stage 3. A duty planner will also be available during normal office hours during the notification period. Call 03 441 0499 (Queenstown) or 03 443 0024 (Wānaka) or email pdpenquiries@qldc.govt.nz This notice is in accordance with clause 5 of Schedule 1 of the Resource Management Act 1991.
Private Bag 50072 | 47 Ardmore Street Wānaka Phone 03 443 0024 | www.qldc.govt.nz
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Sun Sport
Profile
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Meeting our local achievers
Nuts about golf – Benn Ashford Emma Conyngham
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
Wānaka man Benn Ashford is the first to admit he’s nuts about golf. Amongst his regular ‘day jobs’ he’s business development manager for PaR nz Golfing Holidays. And in his spare time it’s more golf, helping organise events for juniors at the Wānaka Golf Club and volunteering for international golf tournaments, such as the LPGA in Auckland and the NZ Open at Millbrook Resort and The Hills. After moving to Wānaka five years ago he was keen to volunteer for the Open, and with his background in logistics and senior management positions in the UK he soon found himself in people management roles. “I volunteered for the Open the first year and for various reasons I found myself looking after people, the same when I went to Auckland to volunteer for the women’s event, and also volunteered at the Fiji International last year,” he said. “Since then I’ve been contracted as head marshall for the Open, a job I really enjoy, and will be volunteering at the Australian PGA later this year.” The SBS Bank volunteer programme for next year’s Open officially launches in Queenstown this week, but Ashford says a lot of work has already gone on behind the scenes. “As soon as the tournament ends we start work on the next one,” he said. “In a nutshell I look after about 180 volunteers on course, everyone from ball spotters trying to find player’s balls in the rough, to people holding ‘quiet’ signs on the tee. “I basically manage the tournament wherever they need people on the course. Each hole at the two
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courses are very different, so I have to understand the flow in terms of spectators and players, and work with the guys who do the ropes to know where there’s going to be spectator walkways. “I’ve got to know and understand the volunteers who come back year after year; their background, history, what they want, who they’d like to be working with. These people are volunteers so we try to create the best experience for them. They have to enjoy it otherwise they wouldn’t come back. “Some golf clubs get together and ‘adopt’ a hole so they rotate their members around different jobs for that hole, which works really well. “It’s a really busy job but it’s smoothed itself out a little now I’ve been doing it for three years in a row. The funny thing is that for a self-confessed golf geek the one thing I’m terrible at is my actual playing!” This Thursday September 19, the NZ Open launches its SBS Bank volunteer programme at Millbrook Resort as it says ‘thank you’ to around 30 hardworking volunteers with a free 18-hole shotgun-start competition. NZ Open tournament director Michael Glading said they could “simply not deliver” the NZ Open without the dedication of SBS Bank volunteers. “These volunteers come from all over New Zealand to be part of this internationally recognised event, with the backbone of our support base coming from the local Central Otago region and surrounding areas. “Fantastic individuals like Benn are the true legends of the tournament.” Next year’s NZ Open will be held from February 27 to March 1. Anyone keen to be involved can register for the SBS Bank volunteer programme through the website www.nzopen.co.nz Golf geek, Benn Ashford says his game is, ironically, ‘terrible’.
THURSDAY 19.09.19 - WEDNESDAY 25.09.19
PHOTO: supplied
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