Quentin Smith secures second term as QLDC deputy mayor

Councillor Quentin Smith has been appointed Queenstown Lakes deputy mayor for a second term.

Nominated by newly sworn in mayor John Glover at today’s inaugural Queenstown Lakes District Council meeting in the Lake Hayes Pavillion, Smith’s appointment was then ratified by the full council.

Smith says he’s looking forward to being part of a collaborative council as it meets the challenges head-on.

Rebuilding community trust in council is at the top of Smith’s list of priorities and he feels the term is off to a good start.

“John Glover has done a good job of setting a collaborative tone in the last couple of weeks,” Smith says.

This is the Wānaka-Upper Clutha based councillor’s fourth term, a triennium which is shaping up to be busy and significant for him as, at today’s ceremonial meeting, Smith was also appointed to the Regional Deal Committee, replacing outgoing Councillor Lyal Cocks.

• Infrastructure is clearly one of the district’s biggest challenges, Smith says.

This is an interim appointment as the Regional Deal Committee resumes work in November. The final appointment to the Regional Deal Committee will be made at the November council meeting following a full Regional Deal briefing.

The Regional Deal was hotly debated during all QLDC election meetings. Much of the detail being kept out of the public arena, causing speculation as to whether or not it will be in the region’s best interests.

Smith considers he’s up to speed with progress of the Regional Deal having followed the developments closely during the last council term.

“I have been keeping a very close interest in all stages of the RD process, and the agendas of the meetings so far, so am well acquainted with where the process is at.

“The work of the committee is at early stages but am excited to engage with CODC [Central Otago District Council] and ORC [Otago Regional Council] around the table to help move it forward. The opportunity to use this RD negotiation to progress really important issues for our district and region remains really strong. Not the least of which are the Visitor Levy and opportunities for transport and health investments, and partnerships which are critical to our region’s future.

“I am excited to contribute to the Regional Deal discussion and try to make some progress,” Smith says.

• Smith pictured at the last council meeting for the previous term.

Smith will no doubt be faced with big challenges during this triennium.

As well as negotiating the Regional Deal he’ll also have to face the contentious issues arising from Three Waters, changes to the RMA, and Development Contributions Levy Bill.

QLDC’s conspicuous infrastructure shortcomings will also continue to hound the council. Smith acknowledges there is a large infrastructure deficit to deal with saying, “I can’t put a figure on it but it’s in the billions”.

“It’s clearly one of our biggest challenges. We can’t sustain the levels of growth without changing the paradigm around infrastructure.”

Presumably, provision for infrastructure is on the table of the Regional Deal negotiations.