QLDC councillor: Mayor's Public Forum speech ban 'outrageous'

Queenstown Mayor Glyn Lewers’ silencing of two community groups at a Queenstown Lakes District Council meeting Public Forum yesterday, was “outrageous”, a fellow councillor says.

Representatives from the Malaghan Valley Protection Society Incorporated, and the Friends of Gibbston Character Zone wanted to use the meetings Public Forum to talk about their stance on the Government’s proposed Fast Track Approvals Bill. However, they were both denied speaking rights by the Mayor, as Chair of yesterday’s full council meeting.

Giving his reasoning at yesterday’s forum, Mayor Lewers said there was no role for the council in the Fast Track Approvals Bill.

“I would like to clarify that the decision to decline speakers is not one of censorship but made on the basis that this is a central government process and sits out outside of the terms of reference for council.”

The Mayor’s comments were labelled “nonsense” by Malaghan Valley Protection Society Incorporated chair James Hall.

“The draft Bill clearly states that the council will have a role as a third party to present to the Expert Panel. Legal opinion has told me that local councils and local Iwi may also have a role with the Expert Panel. 

"By listening to all concerns QLDC will be in a better position to defend their District and Spatial plans and their rate paying constituents. 

“The Mayor was only asked to listen to two three-minute presentations from representatives of two large concerned community groups. This is about getting ahead of the game as opposed to trailing. 

“Other local councils understand the importance of listening.”

The Friends of Gibbston Character Zone, who trended the forum to watch with their mouths taped shut.

“The mayor did not address us, he ignored us. Other councillors did acknowledge us. So much for transparency, democracy, and free speech,” a spokesperson said.

The actions of both groups drew praise from Councillor Niki Gladding, who also criticised the Mayor’s handing of the situation.

"It's an understatement to say I disagree with the Mayor’s position - I actually think it's outrageous. “QLDC can't insulate us from these opinions and why would it want to - whether we're commenting as a Council on a fast-track application or making investment decisions, the more informed we are the better the ultimate outcome will be.

“No one becomes biased simply by hearing another's opinion on an issue, and councillor's can't make comments in public forum so there was no risk of us coming across pre-determined.

“I can't think of another situation like this over the five years I've been on the Council - it was weird.  

“I hope this isn't about our relationship with the Government and potential development partners - because that's what it looks like to me.  Speaking hypothetically, we can't be undermining transparency and the community's right to engage with us in order to protect QLDC's ability to enter a regional deal with the Government.

“All that said, the people who came to speak, handled the situation beautifully.  In my opinion they absolutely walked out with the moral and democratic high ground.”

Councillor Gladding said, while it was not her decision she hoped the groups would be able to speak at an Infrastructure Committee meeting sometime in the future.  

“It's a decision for each Chair to make for themselves."

Local Government New Zealand declined to comment on the issue when approached by Crux.

Asked if he had anything to add, Mayor Lewers referred back to the council's submission on the Bill.

"Council's position is per its submission to the fast-track bill agreed to in June."

A spokesperson for Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop said the Bill will have its final reading in Parliament on Tuesday.

She confirmed applicants must consult with the relevant local authorities before lodging a referral application.

"Expert panels will then invite the relevant local councils to provide comment on applications at the referral stage to assist them with their decision making. The relevant local council will also be asked to nominate a person to sit on the expert panel and assist with decision making. "This person may, but need not be, an elected member of the relevant local authority."

Main image (supplied): The Friends of Gibbston Character Zone attending yesterday's council meeting with tape on their mouths.