Call for urban growth sites

With projected growth in our population comes increased demand for houses, businesses and supporting infrastructure.

The Spatial Plan Gen 2.0 builds on our earlier work completed in 2021, and will become part of our Future Development Strategy, which is a government requirement for all high growth councils in Aotearoa New Zealand. The purpose of our Spatial Plan is to help us grow well to create urban spaces that don’t just meet our needs but are places we are proud of. It will also guide how our natural environment is protected and enhanced alongside our urban growth.

Where should we grow?

One of the rst steps we are required to take is a public ‘call for sites’.

This is an opportunity to suggest sites and areas that could be considered for future residential and business growth or suggest areas you consider inappropriate for urban development or warrants greater protection.

Keen to get involved?

Head to letstalk.qldc.govt.nz for detailed guidance and more information on this process. This process closes on 16 July 2023.

It’s been a hard slog but we got there

By Paul Taylor

Queenstown’s multi-million-dollar downtown streets revamp was officially opened on Friday.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins was expected to attend but the persistent fog meant his flight could not land, so Mayor Glyn Lewers stepped up to the mic. Lewers said while the project “took a little bit longer than was originally anticipated”, everyone was “incredibly proud of the result”.

“You only have to walk around the streets on any given day to see countless locals and visitors enjoying a safer, more inviting and more accessible spaces,” he said.

Lewers thanked the local businesses affected by the challenges during twoand-a-half years of construction. They coped with delays, detours, lack of access, dust and noise.

“Thank you for your patience and your openness to tell us when you weren’t feeling so patient, and your perseverance, maintaining business activity in the face of uncertainty.”

Funding for the project was announced by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on a visit back in June 2020, as the tourist town experienced a major downturn due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Covering Beach Street, Lower Beach St, Park St and Brecon St, the work, which included full redesigns with new paving, lights, street furniture, and underground services, was originally expected to cost around $57 million, with Central Government contributing $35m. But the eventual cost was around $66m and the project has proved controversial. Businesses owners expressed frustration about the way it was staged, with work grinding to a halt on half-finished streets, while starting up on others.

Some of the elements, including the gold poles and inlayed pounamu, have also attracted criticism.

Before Friday’s opening ceremony, a small group of housing protestors took to the stage on Lower Beach St, led by Unite Union Otago-Southland organiser Simon Edmunds and Queenstown Housing Initiative leader Lindsay Waterfield.

“Today we’re celebrating the opening of a street lined with golden lampposts and $20k pounamu bricks in a town where people are sleeping in their cars and treated like dirt by some of the employers and landlords in this town,” Edmunds said.

“From our perspective, the most important thing to celebrate is the workers who actually do the work in this town, keep it running and deserve to be treated with respect, to earn decent wages, decent conditions, with a roof over their heads.”

Edmunds lambasted the council for its inactivity on the rental housing crisis, particularly its decision not to fix up vacant cabins in the Lynch Block nearby.

“We’re not going away. We’re going to be here. We live here. Queenstown is ours as well.”

But Lewers, in his speech, celebrated the cultural elements of streetscape project, which include the golden coloured poles and pounamu stones.

“I just want to thank our mana whenua partners for the time and care that has been given to bring a richness and a sense of history and culture to Tāhuna Queenstown’s upgraded streets,” Lewers said.

“Thank you for being here today with us and showing the depth and importance of the cultural elements woven into our streets.”

Lewers also paid tribute QLDC’s former property and infrastructure general manager Peter Hansby, who died during the Christmas holidays, after a battle with cancer.

“Pete was a tireless campaigner for improving the way people lived, worked, travelled and played in the district, and a driving force behind transforming our town centre,” he said.

“This legacy can be seen right across the district, but nowhere more so than in these upgraded streets. As I heard him say many times, ‘the scale of these construction projects is significant and the challenges can feel overwhelming at times, but keep the end goal in mind, it will be worth it’. I think we can safely say that it is.”

Lewers also thanked the massive team involved in delivering the project through Kā Huanui a Tāhuna, the alliance of QLDC, Waka Kotahi, Downer, Fulton Hogan, WSP and Beca.

Winter’s off with a bang

By Jess Allen

The DFS Winter Fireworks are set to light up the skies over the Whakatipu on Friday 30 June. The fireworks display has been a quintessentially Queenstown start to winter for 45 years and local businesses see the benefits of the fireworks display as it attracts thousands of people. There’s been much excitement around town since the announcement that the fireworks will return after many locals and tourists were sad to see the cancellation of the Winter Fest. The night will feature activities before and after the display and will make for a great family-friendly night out. The event raises funds to support the Love Queenstown community fund, which supports local climate, conservation and biodiversity projects. Million Dollar Cruises have offered up their boat free-of-charge to cruise around the harbour and raise more funds.

Queenstown Business Chamber of Commerce are thrilled for the return of the fireworks, which will help to boost business traffic and encourage visitors to the region.

“We’re excited to see this Winter Festival favourite return for the start of the winter,” says Rachel Clifford at the Chamber. “It’s really great to have locals coming back into the revamped CBD to celebrate as they have in past years and hopefully everyone will have a great family night out. We just want to congratulate DFS for stepping up and making it happen.”

With more events happening throughout the winter including Luma and the Matariki Arrowtown Lights, some other businesses in town have reported that the end of the overall festival isn’t going to hugely affect them, although it is a shame to lose it. One business in town said that they’re looking forward to the fireworks as it brings excitement and crowds to town, although that this time of year is generally busier for them anyway. T Galleria are encouraging local businesses to join in the celebration – with the numbers expected to attend, it will be hard for Queenstown’s establishments to avoid being a part of the festivities.

The Cusp – Furniture makers

Well-established Run-From-Home business with strong sales, simple-to-make designs, great brand recognition, excellent website w online shop, well-developed social media accounts and potential for further growth. Winner of Best Small Trade Exhibit at Wanaka A&P Show.

Steamer Wharf have some of the best views for the fireworks display and houses 12 restaurants, many of which are perfect vantagepoints – such as Pier, Pub on Wharf, Atlas and Boardwalk. The wharf monitor foot traffic and revenues, which in the past increase with events like this. Johnny Stevenson at Steamer Wharf has reported that it’s been particularly quiet lately and believes that the event is totally worth it and that it’s “good bang for your buck.”

“It’s great, in the absence of the Winter Fest as we knew it,” says Johnny. “We need a new event that signifies the start – everybody is really excited about the ski season. It’s a great night to pull everybody together and families to come in. We’re really supportive of it.”

“We’ve had our first shoulder season in a couple of years – we forgot that we had shoulders, but it was brought back quite abruptly, the way it has been for 20 years but we sort of forgot; apart from that great big shoulder when we were all locked at home. It’s getting its normal rhythm back and everyone I talk to is really supportive of the fireworks. It’s an event that marks the change of the oncoming season. You can feel it around town as you walk around the streets – everybody’s really buzzing.”

Queenstown Lakes District Council are also enthusiastic about the buzz and excitement that brings winter in Queenstown to life. QLDC Relationship Manager, Arts & Events Jan Maxwell says that “A fireworks display has been part of how our community welcomes winter for many years so it’s wonderful to see this continue. It’s a celebration that all ages can enjoy for free, and a spectacle loved by locals and visitors alike.”

The fireworks display will kick off ignite the sky at 6:30pm on 30 June and will feature a local entertainers, street performers, and pop-up stalls along the waterfront.

More info: e. create@thecusp.nz or p. 021 123 6080

Migrant workers being exploited, Queenstown Citizens Advice Bureau says

By RNZ, Tim Brown, Otago-Southland Reporter - tim.brown@rnz.co.nz

Dozens of migrant workers are being exploited by Queenstown employers who are not meeting the minimum conditions required by their visas, the Queenstown Citizens Advice Bureau says.

The workers’ visas are tied to their employers and they are afraid to speak out, bureau manager Tracy Pool said.

Federico Planes and Abraham Ruz had been working for a Queenstown cleaning company under Accredited Employer Work Visas when the company was sold earlier this year.

Almost immediately problems started with the new boss expecting a higher standard of work in less time and often without providing equipment like gloves and cleaning chemicals.

What was expected of them was absurd, Planes said.

“It’s impossible. It’s stressful. He wants us to clean better, faster, he doesn’t want to have complaints. It’s crazy,” he said.

The new boss was also not paying them when they travelled between clients, often rostered their work hours on the morning of the working day, underpaid them for the hours worked, and did not provide the 30 hours of paid employment guaranteed by their visas, he said. But if they complained, they risked losing their jobs, and therefore would have to leave New Zealand, Planes said.

“It’s stressful, because we leave our country, we are 15,000 kilometres away. We came here to enjoy life - it’s very stressful,” Planes said, choking back tears.

Abraham Ruz said he left his homeland of Chile because of a lack of financial opportunities and because the country was not safe.

“I want to stay here for a long, long time because it’s friendly. It’s safe,” he said.

“But for the moment, I just need work because work is money, it’s a visa. Really, I don’t want to return to Chile.”

Both men wanted to remain in New Zealand and so felt trapped even when being taken advantage of.

Connie, who obtained temporary residency after working in New Zealand for five years, said migrant workers, particularly those from the developing world, were seen as cheap labour and treated more like a commodity, rather than as people.

“People feel trapped in the work because of all it involves to come here with a visa, and if you have your family attached to that visa, even if you’re having a bad time in the work, you’re just going to stay there,” she said.

Tracy Pool said migrant workers came to Queenstown because it was where the Accredited Employer Work visas were available.

Most employers followed the rules but dozens of migrant workers in the resort town were tied to bad employers and they could not risk speaking out, she said.

“They’ve got no backstop. There’s no unemployment. They don’t qualifythere’s none of that,” Pool said.

“And then if they’ve got partnerships tied to them, then their partners also lose their job because their visa is also cancelled. Their visa is based on the worker’s visa.”

It was a deeply unfair system which was ripe for exploitation, she said.

“You can take advantage of that because they’re basically tied to you and good employers look after them - and the majority of them do - but some of them just don’t. They Accredited Employer system was meant to help with that - it hasn’t.”

It was obvious why workers would not speak out to immigration authorities, since if their employer lost accreditation it would mean the workers lost their visas, Pool said.

Queenstown Housing Initiative co-founder Hannah Sullivan said the problems were compounded in Queenstown where housing was desperately short and migrant workers accommodation was also often linked to their employer. “Right now people are being exploited, because it’s better than what they can go back to,” Sullivan said.

More than half of those in touch with the initiative were migrant workers, she said.

One person from Chile was crammed into a bedroom which had been divided into three and was paying over $200 per week.

“They said ‘I can’t go home because there’s nothing for me there, it’s not safe where I live’, so they’ll take anything they can get and it’s so sad,” Sullivan said.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) verification and compliance general manager Richard Owen said INZ expected employers to comply with visa conditions, and there were penalties for those who did not.

“We take any allegations of migrant exploitation and fraud seriously and we routinely investigate businesses for compliance with immigration laws,” Owen said, in a statement.

“The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) was introduced in July 2022 to provide a three-step pathway for hiring migrants and replace six other visas. The visa supports employers to get the workers they need without disadvantaging New Zealanders, and ensures migrant workers are given the same employment protection as New Zealanders.

“Under AEWV, we conduct post-accreditation checks on accredited employers. These checks can occur at any time post-accreditation. As part of the application process, employers are advised that there may be followup checks to ensure that the undertakings and declarations that they make during the application are correct and they are a good migrant employer.

“As of today, we have identified approximately 36 employers of potential concern involving migrant workers holding either AEWV or a Recovery visa. We are not in a position to comment on how many individuals are impacted at this stage nor will we be commenting on any current investigations.”

FOUND

Unclaimed items sitting at the Police Station, at 11 Camp Street, this week include:

• MADELAINE WILSON – cardholder

•GEORGE MCDONALD – cardholder

• MacBook Air silver, located on one of the fields at the Events Centre

•iPhone, dark blue in black case

•Grey DJI drone, located in the Queenstown Gardens

•Gold (gents) ring with numerous different coloured stones, found at Deer Park Heights

•White gold ring with diamonds, located in New World carpark

SHOES UNLIMITED - BRIGHTEN UP YOUR WINTER with one of our colourful Sassy Duck bags - x-bodys, handbags, clutches or totes - our best collection ever, instore at Qn Central Shopping Centre at Frankton or online www.shoesunlimited.co.nz

QUEENSTOWN DHARMA CENTRE, 12 LAKE ST. WED (28 June), @ 6:30pm, “Calm Mind, Open Heart” with Grant Rix; SUN (1 July), from 2:30pm - 5:30pm, Amnyi Trulchung Rinpoche’s monthly guidance on “A Guide to the Way of Life of a Bodhisattva.” Sessions are free with dana for the centre/teacher gratefully accepted. More info on dharmacentre.org.nz or FB.

KIDS CRAFT CLUB: AFTER A SERIES OF successful ‘Crafternoons’ at The Sherwood in Queenstown last school holidays. Crafternoon is back at The Sherwood these school holidays. Wednesday 5 July 1030am - 1pm - Make a Teddy Bear Workshop. natalieperks.com

2 GIANT FLEMISH RABBITS LOOKING TO GO to a good home. 2 years old. Can come with hutch and supplies/food etc. Price negotiable. 021 025 54687

LUNCHTIME TALK WITH QUEENSTOWN LAKES COMMUNITY HOUSING Trust. Join us at Queenstown Library with Julie Scott for a Q&A session to hear more about the Trust’s housing programmes and upcoming developments. Visit the QLDC Libraries website for more information. Friday 30 June, 12.00pm –12.40pm at the Queenstown Library, Gorge Road

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “ALWAYS BE A first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.” -

Judy Garland

SHOES UNLIMITED - RIEKER’S REPUTATION FOR QUALITY and style is undisputed and this week we have 30% off any Riekerpop instore or check us out online www.shoesunlimited.co.nz. Terms & conditions apply.

QUEENSTOWN BACKGAMMON CLUB. COME AND JOIN US for our fortnightly Backgammon night on Thursday 29th @ the Crown in Frankton from 6:30pm. All skill levels welcome. Bring a board if you have one, we hope to see you there

FREE IMMIGRATION CLINIC. IF YOU NEED IMMIGRATION information or advice the Citizens Advice Bureau run an immigration clinic every Wednesday from 7pm. To make an appointment call them on 03 442 6679

NEW TO THE AREA OR GOT MORE time on your hands & looking to give back to your community? Altrusa International Qtwn is looking for volunteers just like you to join our woman’s charitable & service org. supporting our local community. Want to know more? Email:altrusaqueenstown@gmail.com or message us on Facebook.com/AltrusaQueenstown

KIWI HARVEST WINTER FOOD CAMPAIGN IS UNDERWAY. You can help by donating items for you shop or extra items from your pantry. Food trolleys are available at most local supermarkets. Learn more online at kiwiharvest.org.nz/central-lakes-wintercampaign

WHAKATIPU DRIVE MY LIFE ARE SEEKING VOLUNTEERS to become mentor buddies to help our vulnerable people achieve their drivers licence. If you are interested or have any questions contact Louise Ward louise@reap.co.nz

SPCA OP SHOP – 51 GORGE RD. Open Monday – Saturday 9.00 – 5.00. Pre-loved goods and clothing at great prices. Help support the ongoing work done by the SPCA. Your old goods, or your time, could help save a life. Accepting donations (no electrical at the moment) and volunteers now. Volunteers wanted!

WSCA – ROOMS FOR HIRE - SPACIOUS, sunny rooms are available for hire to Queenstown Community Groups. The rooms hold up to 90 people, with seated dining for 40. Located on the 1st floor of Malaghan House, 10 Memorial Street, Queenstown with lift access. There are kitchen facilities, toilets, Wi-Fi, media equipment for projection onto large screen plus large screen TV. Contact us on 03 4429214 or info@wsca.org.nz for more details.

NEED AN IDYLLIC SPOT IN KINGSTON TO rent for your tiny home or caravan? Please text 022 404 3545.

HAVE THAT NIGGLING ACHE OR PAIN THAT just won’t go away? A recurring condition, or maybe you’re looking for something to assist alongside your more traditional treatments to speed up recovery? Two Feathers can help, an Alternative & Holistic Health Service including Tuning Forks, Energy Healing & Reiki Master. For more info contact Amy on: healing@ twofeathers.co.nz or 022 454 8288

Say goodbye to the poo ponds

By Paul Taylor

As the streetscapes is completed, another is infrastructure project about to get underway.

Stage three of the work to upgrade Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant is set to start in August 2023.

QLDC General Manager Property & Infrastructure, Tony Avery says the $37.5 million project will further improve wastewater capacity in the district and provide for future growth through to the year 2048.

“These upgrades will see the construction of a second Modified LudzackEttinger (MLE) reactor and clarifier down by Shotover Delta, and a range of new equipment, technology and supporting infrastructure to help keep the district’s pipes flowing,” he says.

The current treatment process using residual oxidation pond systems - which everyone knows as ‘the poo ponds’ - will no longer be required once work is complete, with the new process handled by the two MLE reactors.

Avery says treating wastewater with the reactors would ensure long-term

THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE

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THE WAX ROOM

Laser hair reduction specialists. Waxing, Tanning and Brow design. Located in Queenstown CBD, 9a Earl Street. Free Laser consultations in June/July.

BRAZILIAN WAX $45.

Call/text 02108502487 | info@thewaxroom.co.nz thewaxroom.co.nz compliance as more people chose to make the Whakatipu Basin their home, helping to protect the environment and meeting tighter effluent consent limits if required by Otago Regional Council (ORC) in the future.

“Furthermore, one of the existing oxidation ponds on site will be repurposed as part of the works, with a portion to be used as a basin for improved stormwater management on site.

“Another area will be converted to act as a calamity storage pond for the extremely rare occasion when the treatment plant might go offline unexpectedly.”

The plant serves Queenstown, Arthurs Point, Frankton, Kelvin Heights, Quail Rise, Shotover Country, Lake Hayes Estate, Lake Hayes, and Arrowtown. Once complete, it will receive additional wastewater flows from Jacks Point Village, Hanley Farm, Ladies Mile and an extension of the Quail Rise residential development area.

Contractor McConnell Dowell expects to complete the work by late 2025, before commissioning of the new plant infrastructure follows in early 2026. The MSC has also prepared a Gillespie Pass video which provides more information on how to plan and prepare for the track

XS STORAGE

Secure self storage units – various sizes available Phone: 0800 297 786 | www.xsstorage.co.nz

TIMBER / LAMINATE FLOORING INSTALLATIONS

Covering the Southern Lakes Area. 0211788589

WEEK1

Swimming&Slides $10

CatVolunteerDay $5

WinterThemedMovieDay $5

WEEK2

IceSkating&BumperCarts $35

CrossCountrySkiing&Tubing $55

Circus&Hoops $25 www.whakatipuyouthtrust.org.nz