Latest news with #MikeTheelen
Otago Daily Times
03-08-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Frankton floated as alternative site for new council headquarters
Frankton is a viable alternative to Queenstown's CBD for a new council headquarters, a consultants' report says. However, the community will not be consulted on the issue until next year. After discussing the report at a full meeting of the Queenstown Lakes District Council on Thursday, councillors agreed a draft consultation document would be considered by the next council at a workshop in the new year. That document is likely to present the two options as the Frankton Village/Five Mile corridor or the CBD. The report concluded the Five Mile corridor — the retail and commercial area extending from The Warehouse to Glenda Dr — was preferable for leasing, while "Frankton Village" was preferred for a new building, because the council already owned a suitable site. Repeated questioning by Cr Gavin Bartlett brought an admission by chief executive Mike Theelen that "Frankton Village" was shorthand for the Queenstown Events Centre site, and likely the playing fields at the site's eastern end. Cr Bartlett, who said that effectively made it "indistinguishable" from the Five Mile corridor, said he was "bamboozled" by the report. He asked why the council could not consult on build and lease options for all the locations, as well as the Remarkables Park retail and commercial zone. Mr Theelen said the consultants' report, which included a cost-benefit analysis comparing building-and-owning versus leasing over a 25-year period, had identified "value propositions" for each location, where either building or leasing was preferable. The report said the CBD offered strong civic identity and economic diversification beyond retail and hospitality. The decision means the council's long-running project to house its staff in a single building has been deferred to the next council, after October's local body elections. Staff are now spread across five different locations, and the leases on those buildings begin to expire in 2028. After a singular focus on the Stanley St site in the past few years, councillors directed staff earlier this year to compare it to sites outside the CBD. In 2019, the council proposed a joint venture with Ngāi Tahu Property, called Project Manawa, for the Stanley St site. Under that proposal, a new council headquarters would be the first stage of a development that also included a performing arts centre, gallery, library and commercial properties. However, no formal negotiations have taken place. The council's 10-year plan, passed last year, estimates the cost of the headquarters building alone at $60million.
Otago Daily Times
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Voting campaign aspires to new heights
Democracy is reaching new heights in the Queenstown Lakes district. Nominations are now officially open for the 2025 local elections and residents are being encouraged to put their names forward to stand as mayor, councillor or community board member, as part of a new campaign designed to engage voters across the region. Dubbed "The Highest Vote", this year's campaign puts an alpine spin on civic participation, with high-altitude ballot boxes set to appear at some of the region's best-known mountaintop locations. The Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC), in partnership with RealNZ, will have voting stations at Cardrona Alpine Resort (1670m) and Treble Cone (1260m), giving residents the chance to cast their vote while surrounded by the Southern Alps. A special one-day voting box will also be available at the Crown Range lookout on Friday, October 10, providing what may be New Zealand's most scenic polling booth. The council's aim is clear: boost voter turnout beyond previous levels. In the last local election in 2022, just 43.05% of eligible voters in the district had their say, slightly below the national average of 44.5%. Council chief executive Mike Theelen said the council was aiming higher this year, both figuratively and literally. "Voting isn't just about ticking a box — it's about showing how much we care about the future of our environment and our community. "Turnout in our last local election was 43%. This time we're setting our sights higher, to exceed that and top the national average," Mr Theelen said. Nominations opened last Friday and close at noon on Friday, August 1. To stand, candidates must be enrolled to vote and nominated by two voters from the ward or area they wish to represent. No prior experience is necessary, and the council is encouraging people from all backgrounds to consider running. Mr Theelen said how the district moved forward involved everyone who lived there. "It's important that our elected officials reflect the values and ideas of our diverse community. "Now is a great time to learn more about the challenges and rewards — either for yourself or for friends and family who you think would make great local leaders." Voting takes place from Tuesday, September 9, through to election day on Saturday, October 11. Voting papers will be delivered between September 9 and September 22. Residents can vote by post, at local ballot boxes or at the special alpine voting stations. — APL
Scoop
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
QLDC Takes Democracy To New Heights With ‘The Highest Vote' Campaign As 2025 Election Nominations Open
Nominations for the 2025 local elections are now open, offering Queenstown Lakes residents the opportunity to play a vital role in shaping the future of their district. Queenstown Lakes District is taking democracy to new heights with the launch of its 2025 local election campaign, The Highest Vote, coinciding with the opening of nominations today. Eligible residents are invited to stand for election as Mayor, Councillor, or Community Board member ahead of the election on Saturday, 11 October 2025. To stand for election, candidates must be enrolled voters and nominated by two voters from the area they wish to represent. Queenstown Lakes District Council encourages people of all backgrounds to consider standing, no prior experience needed. 'How our district moves forward involves everyone who lives here, so it's important that our elected officials reflect the values and ideas of our diverse community. Now is a great time to learn more about the challenges and rewards, either for yourself or for friends and family who you think would make great local leaders,' said Mike Theelen, QLDC Chief Executive. Adding a uniquely Queenstown Lakes twist to this year's local elections, The Highest Vote campaign invites voters to take part in democracy at new heights. Special high-altitude ballot boxes will be available at Cardrona Alpine Resort's ticketing office (1,670m) and Treble Cone's ticketing area (1,260m), hosted by RealNZ, offering a one-of-a-kind way to vote while soaking in the district's stunning alpine surrounds. Queenstown Lakes District Council will also host a one-day voting box at the Crown Range lookout on Friday 10 October, giving people the chance to cast their vote at one of the country's most scenic spots. Advertisement - scroll to continue reading Residents who prefer to vote closer to home can do so by post or at voting boxes located throughout the district. A map of voting locations and further information will be available on the QLDC website. In 2022, 43.05% of eligible voters in the district cast their ballots. This year, The Highest Vote campaign aims to surpass the national average voter turnout of 44.5%. 'Voting isn't just about ticking a box, it's about showing how much we all care about the future of our environment and our community,' said Mr. Theelen. 'Turnout here in our last local election was 43%. This time we're setting our sights higher, both to exceed this and top the national average which was 44.5% in 2022.' The QLDC website provides information on who can stand for election, how to get nominated, and how to campaign when the time comes. It also includes resources explaining what being an elected member involves, along with the roles and responsibilities of local government in Aotearoa New Zealand. Key election dates: · Nominations for both Queenstown Lakes District Council and the Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board open on Friday, 4 July 2025 and close at 12:00pm on Friday, 1 August 2025. · Voting papers delivered: Tuesday, 9 September to Monday, 22 September 2025 · Voting period: Tuesday, 9 September to Saturday, 11 October 2025
Otago Daily Times
26-04-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Annual plan submissions now online
PHOTO: ODT FILES Queenstown Lakes District Council is calling for the community to provide feedback after it published its draft Annual Plan 2025-2026. The council is taking a more informal approach to engaging the community this year with online submissions. The draft plan webpage provides a summary of what council has already committed to, outlining progress since the long-term plan (LTP) was adopted, and offering an easy way to share feedback. The current draft plan offers insight into project plans and their budgets to improve the region's waste management, stormwater, transport and other facilities and building projects. It also goes into any rates impacts for residents and other detailed financial information. This community feedback will be provided to councillors and summarised for the June 26 council meeting, in which adoption of the draft plan will be proposed. Looking ahead, the council will run a separate early engagement process from November this year to give people a meaningful opportunity to put forward ideas for new projects or investments, to be considered in time for the 2027-2037 LTP. Council chief executive Mike Theelen said while there were no major changes requiring formal consultation, understanding community sentiment remained an important part of the process. "We encourage residents and ratepayers to take a few minutes to read the draft annual plan and let us know what they think. "It's a chance to stay informed about what's happening locally and across the district as a whole and how council is delivering on the commitments made in the LTP," he said. A feedback form is available on the webpage, and comments are open until 5.00pm, May 30. This feedback will be provided to councillors to consider, but will not be subject to formal hearings and deliberations. — APL
