QLDC endorses new economic diversification plan

A risky reliance on tourism and construction - that's what a new economic plan endorsed today by the Queenstown Lakes District Council is seeking to address.

The council has been operating under a ten-year-old economic development strategy; now the mayor and councillors have thrown their support behind an update - the Economic Diversification Plan.

However a last-minute caveat was added after concerns were raised in today's council meeting in Wānaka about how the council will assess whether ratepayers are getting "bang for buck" as council staff work on a stream of programmes to deliver on the fresh plan.

An addition to the motion before the council today, put forward by Councillor Niki Gladding and passed with support from six other councillors, will require staff to report back to the full council on the implementation of the plan - as well costs associated with that.

"It's very, very hard to see where the money is going," Councillor Niki Gladding said during the discussion prior to the vote.

"And therefore it's very, very hard to see whether we're getting value for money."

In response to a question, QLDC economic development manager Peter Harris said his team has an operational budget in the year ahead of $500,000, outside of staff salaries, with which to implement the plan.

In a report ahead of the meeting, Mr Harris calls Queenstown Lakes "one of the least economically diverse communities in New Zealand".

"This limits career and income opportunities for residents and makes the local economy vulnerable to tourism industry downturns."

However deputy mayor Quentin Smith said at the meeting while the focus is often on tourism, a heavy reliance on the construction industry is just as risky locally.

He welcomed recent rewrites of the plan to acknowledge the dominance of both these industries.

Councillor Cody Tucker said the strategy shift reflected in the plan is evidence of a district set to "evolve and have more substance".

He thinks it is a nod the all the "innovators, entrepreneurs and visionaries" already making a mark in the district.

Councillor Tucker hopes the diversification plan will help deliver different jobs that will pay enough to allow people to "sow more roots in the community".

This view was endorsed by Councillor Melissa White, who referenced it was "really exciting" to see a potential future where her young children could grow up with more opportunities allowing them to choose to stay in the district.

Councillor Matt Wong, who owns Queenstown tourism business iFly, acknowledged the plan was a "collaboration", saying while it relies on the council to "drive" it is up to the "market to deliver on".

He said he remains a strong advocate for tourism, but was happy to endorse a diversification strategy for the district alongside that.

The Economic Diversification Plan has been developed over two years and has been endorsed by 18 local organisations prior to the final version being presented to the council. 

In his report, Mr Harris says a range of projects related to it are already underway, with a number being led by local organisations and businesses.