Representation Review Gets Underway

The Council has appointed an independent working party to govern a review of representation in the Queenstown Lakes District.

The review, which must be undertaken by all Councils under the Local Government Act will ask if the current wards and community board provide fair and effective representation to the district.

The working party membership is: Michael Parker (Queenstown), Janice Hughes (Wanaka), Angela van der Laan (Arrowtown), Annette Dalziel (Kingston) and a yet to be confirmed Maori representative. Mr Parker will chair the working party.

“Although we have a year to complete this work, we are keen to hear from the community early in the process. The views expressed now will help us arrive at the recommendation we will make to the Council next year,” Mr Parker said.

A discussion document outlining the review was available on the Council website www.qldc.govt.nz or at Council offices.

“The working party welcomes comment and suggestions,” Mr Parker said.
Early comments were invited to be with the Council by 7 October 2011, from there, extensive consultation would be undertaken with the community district-wide.

“We would like to have the review completed by March 2012. It’s an important issue and one that requires the community to have a say,” Mr Parker said.