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th st Aug - 27 Aug 2014 2018 2721 Jan - 3rd thFeb
FIRST ON THE STREET
www.lwb.co.nz
No No 434 664
LAKES WEEKLY BULLETIN
17 J IN O 9 SI BS D E
enquiries@lwb.co.nz
During my time as CE of the Queenstown Chamber, I have talked to literally thousands of people about issues of importance to them. One of the more controversial issues was the sale of 24.99% of the Queenstown Airport to Auckland Airport in 2010. We had stakeholders with strongly held views on both sides of the debate, and the wider community was deeply divided about the merits of the sale. What everyone did agree on, was that the lack of consultation was a grave mistake. Fast forward to 2018 and a feeling of déjà vu for this writer at least. But with one fundamental difference. The QAC released their 30 Year Long Term Plan earlier this year and is now consulting on the proposed extension to the current noise boundaries, which will enable 30 years of growth. Ten out of 10 to the QAC for their long-term planning and active consultation with stakeholders. However, not all planning is well-received and there is a lot of ‘noise’ about this issue – forgive the pun. This is a sobering moment for our community, and probably the most critical decision we have faced for many years. It is an opportunity to take ownership of our future. While constraining the airport to its current boundaries may be a lever to control some growth, it is important growth isn’t halted. It’s well past time to decide what kind of growth we want.
Azaria Briscoe, Torben Kallmeier and Lucy Sinclair got amongst the action when QLDC put on a free climbing day to celebrate Global Climbing day on Saturday at the Event Centre
(Photo: Jodi Walters)
So how do we deal with this and what next? A group comprising a cross-section of the community has been formed, to drill into the information the airport has provided, and provide a balanced view. The Chamber will play a role in this group which includes representatives from the commercial sector, the tourism industry, aviation sectors, and community associations. The goal is to cut across the sectors and try to get a clear picture of the proposal and its very real consequences. Chamber is concerned that the discussion could be dominated by anti-growth and tourism sentiment. We understand the consequences of getting the decision wrong, either way, are huge. The extension of noise boundaries will be of such long-term significance that it will be one of the biggest decisions this community will make. It is essential that we have a wide community discussion and not one solely led by shareholders’ commercial interests. Ann Lockhart Chief Executive Officer Queenstown Chamber of Commerce
QUEENSTOWNS BIGGEST LATINO PARTY SATURDAY AUGUST 25TH
www.qac.co.nz
WITH DJ MILANDRES FROM 11PM
JOHN RAVENS WEATHER Last week John was 92% correct
RENTAL PROPERTIES
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WED
Cloudy periods. Cloudy periods, a Light winds. chance of shower.
THUR
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Cloudy periods, chance shower.
Morning cloud & frost then fine.
Cloudy. Light winds.
Cloudy. Little wind.
Rain. Little wind.