18 Apr - 24 Apr
LOCALLY OWNED SINCE FOREVER
No 897
LAKES WEEKLY BULLETIN
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100 IN SI
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Lewers responds to survey concerns I’m writing this column in response to last week’s editorial about the Quality of Life survey. The survey is an important annual snapshot of how we feel about a whole range of things affecting our lives here. That’s why it also asks about healthcare, public transport and other services in which QLDC doesn’t have a direct role. One of the benefits of the survey is that it allows us to track trends year on year. Personally, I don’t think there’d be much appetite for running it more often especially given the other important occasions we ask for your views. This is where last week’s editorial missed a trick. It mentioned “the big spending decisions… that are the real source of our angst” but failed to point out that Council is inviting community feedback right now about these very decisions. Turn over and you’d have seen a big advert on page two saying the draft QLDC Annual Plan 2023-2024 is open for community feedback until 26 April. It’s by no means set in schist – there have been changes to previous plans as a result of public submissions on their draft versions. Positive outcomes listed in the plan like upgrades to our town centre streets and the hidden three waters infrastructure beneath them obviously come with a corresponding cost. Some of this is made up by the rates paid by local property owners. Last week’s editorial quite understandably listed national economic issues like high interest rates and inflation as having a negative effect on our quality of life. Just like other local businesses managing their budgets, Council faces the same pressures. Hence we’re proposing changes to some user fees to help us meet these operational cost increases. But not everything is going up. Whilst we can’t do anything about the cost of a cauliflower, we are proposing to reduce the price of a casual swim and use of the hydroslides. For economic reasons and other factors explained in this year’s plan, including the cost of settling building defect and weather tightness claims, the proposed rates increase is higher than expected at an average of 13.6%. As last week’s editorial on the Quality of Life survey pointed out, satisfaction with Council services remains high but I fully acknowledge there’s been a decline in satisfaction with our overall performance and ‘opportunities to have your say’ on Council decisions. Well here’s one of the most important opportunities you’ll have to provide feedback on Council’s plans for next year. Please take a look at the draft plan at local libraries, Council offices or online, and encourage your workmates, friends and whanau to do the same. Just like when we ask ‘how’s life?’ every spring, your views are an important part of the annual plan process and we do value them. You can find out more at letstalk.qldc.govt.nz
The wooden boat show was held at Kelvin Grove over the weekend with over fifty classic boats from all over New Zealand on display on the lake. Pictured is best wooden boat winner. See more in CBD on page 13. Photo by Jeff Williams.
Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Glyn Lewers
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