Council To Consider Community Feedback On District's Draft Climate & Biodiversity Plan
Queenstown Lakes District Councillors are this Thursday being asked to approve the district's draft Climate & Biodiversity Plan 2025-2028 so it can be shared for community feedback.
The plan was developed in partnership with Kāi Tahu, the Climate Reference Group, and local partner organisations. It is a key strategic document and an important, high-profile action plan for both the Council, its partners, and the community.
If approved, the draft plan will open for community feedback for four weeks starting on Friday 30 May. Residents, businesses, and community groups will be encouraged to provide their thoughts on the district's proposed approach to addressing climate change and biodiversity loss over the next three years.
Building on the foundations of the two previous three-year plans, the 2025-2028 draft outlines a comprehensive set of actions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing native biodiversity, and increasing community resilience to climate impacts.
Key initiatives in the draft plan include delivering major environmental projects such as Project Tohu, implementing emissions-reduction projects at Council facilities, and integrating climate considerations into Council decision-making and business processes. It also focuses on supporting the transformation of our local energy system and strengthening support for community resilience and food system projects.
The document details a total of 51 climate and biodiversity actions, across seven outcome areas, that are either Council-led or partnership-driven. These actions are organised across seven outcome areas that reflect the district's priorities for environmental protection, climate resilience, and low-emissions transformation. Together, they provide a clear framework for coordinated and strategic action over the next three years.
Subject to approval at this Thursday's Council meeting in Arrowtown, community engagement for the draft Climate & Biodiversity plan will start 30 May 2025 and run until 27 June 2025. After engagement has been completed the final updated plan is expected to be presented to a full Council meeting for adoption in late July.
At the 29 May Council meeting, Councillors will also be asked to approve two related draft environmental initiatives to go to the community for consultation: the Waste Management and Minimisation Bylaw, and Te Tapunui Queenstown Hill Forestry Plan.
The draft Climate & Biodiversity Plan and the opportunity to make a submission will be available at letstalk.qldc.govt.nz. Further information can also be found at climateaction.qldc.govt.nz.
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