A document which investigates the social issues facing the Queenstown Lakes District has been released for public comment.

Residents of the district are being urged to take a look at a strategy which has implications for the entire community, Queenstown Lakes District Council strategy planner Johan Bergman said.

"During the strategic planning workshop process of Tomorrow's Queenstown, Wanaka 2020 and the Smaller Community Plan workshops, the Council received a clear message that we needed to better understand the social issues facing our communities," Mr Bergman said.

The result was that last month the Council adopted the draft Social Wellbeing Strategy for the purpose of consultation.

"Community working parties from Wanaka and Queenstown researched the issues and agreed on the contents of the strategy," Mr Bergman said.

The aim of the Social Wellbeing Strategy was to identify issues that the community faces in achieving wellbeing. They are:

• A challenging employment culture
• Quality housing is becoming increasingly less affordable
• A shortfall of some community services
• A lack of community cohesion
• The negative impact of visitor activity on residents
• A narrow community demographic and low diversification of businesses
• High petty crime and anti social behaviour in the district

"The strategy incorporates the key findings and conclusions of the working parties and, in particular, outlines the commitments of the Council," Mr Bergman said.

The strategy also identified the organisations which have roles and responsibilities related to the issues facing the District.

The strategy is available at all libraries and council offices or can be viewed on the Council website on the home page.

The Council would like to receive comments by April 14, 2006.

ENDS

For further information please contact Johan Bergman 03 441 0499.

By: Sarah