'Censorship in the first order': Mayor blocks resident groups from QLDC public forum

Two groups with concerns about the government’s Fast track Approvals Bill believe they are being censored by Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Glyn Lewers, after he denied them talking rights in the public forum at tomorrow’s council meeting.

Malaghan Valley Protection Society Incorporated chair James Hall said he will be making the group’s 300 members all aware of the decision to bar him from speaking about a proposal for new subdivision on Coronet Peak, one of a ream of projects in the Fast track Approval Bill now before Parliament.

“All I wanted to do was to make them aware that our society and our membership of over 300 existed and that we did have an expectation going forward that the council would stand up on the basis of the environmental impact and infrastructural impacts that the Coronet Village would have.

“It’s censorship in the first order, and you know, the Mayor is the one who decides this because he was the chair of that meeting. Now, whether or not he's got a vested interest in it, I don't know …. but it smacks of something or other, and it’s very concerning.”

A total of 15 projects Otago are ear-marked for fast-tracked resource consents approval under the Bill.

“The whole transparency issue around Fast Track is appalling both at central government level and at local government level,” Mr Hall said.

“I've written and had communication with QLDC on a number of occasions and they keep giving you the same story. They’re not prepared to do anything until the legislation is enacted. And yet, we know that legislation, when it is enacted, it's going to move very fast.

“The timetables have been outlined and we'll have to move very quickly and council will be one of a few third party bodies as per the draft legislation that will be heard by the expert panels when they are put in place.”

An email from QLDC to Mr Hall said the decision not to allow him to speak, even though others had spoken on the Bill in previous forums, was made by the meeting chair (Mayor Glyn Lewers).

The email stated: “While matters relating to the Fast-track Approvals Bill, and more specifically some of the proposed projects, are challenging and certainly acknowledged by Council as an area of community concern, all requests to speak at public forum on these are currently being declined.

“Enabling people to voice their views on important local matters is important to Council, however the decision to decline speakers is on the basis that this is a central government process and sits outside of the terms of reference for Council. Whilst the Bill has yet to complete its pathway into law, the initial draft appears clear that Council has no decision-making role in the fast track approval process and what future role it will play is yet unclear.”

Gibbston Valley residents are also feeling frustrated. 

The Friends of Gibbston Character Zone were also denied three-minutes to talk about their concerns over another project included in the Fast Track Approvals Bill.

“As concerned locals, they have now lost the opportunity to voice their opinions for even three minutes during full council meetings regarding the GVS Fast Track application,” the group said in a Facebook post.

“In plain terms, QLDC has made it clear that developers can approach the council confidentially with proposals, but the council will not consider comments or objections from Gibbston residents. “We question what the self inflicted Standing Orders QLDC have which are in favour of the developers and not the residents.”

However, despite denying residents a chance to state their views, QDLC has already made its own submission on the Bill to the Parliamentary Environment Select Committee.

“Overall, QLDC is concerned that the Bill does not provide the necessary checks and balances needed to ensure high-quality social, economic, cultural and environmental outcomes,” the council submission states.

“QLDC considers that the Bill as it stands requires amendments to ensure a more nuanced assessment process, and a more balanced approach of the consideration of benefits and costs/effects of projects.”

The submission concludes: “QLDC would like to be heard at any hearings that result from this consultation process.”

Mayor Lewers has been approached for comment.

Main image (Facebook): Computer render of a proposed housing project in Gibbston Valley.