QLDC refuses to reveal cost of Cougar security contracts

In two extraordinary responses to Crux official information requests under LGOIMA legislation the Queenstown Lakes District Council is refusing to reveal details of how much money is paid to the various Cougar Security companies or how the contracts were awarded.

The refusals include details of how Cougar is paid to operate 447 council owned CCTV cameras, how they are paid to run QLDC’s parking services, how they are paid to run the council’s harbourmaster services and under what (if any) competitive bid process these multi-million dollar contracts were awarded.

Crux asked two seperate sets of questions on December 3, under LGOIMA legislation, relating to Cougar - one set of questions relating to general contracts and one set of questions relating to CCTV camera and privacy/security issues.

Replies were received on December 12 and December 19.