Queenstown Lakes District is seeking new ways to create a high value economy, that will be diverse, prosperous and resilient against peaks and troughs that are outside local control.

The Council is inviting comment on a draft economic development strategy, prepared for the district by consultants MartinJenkins.

Mayor Vanessa van Uden said the draft strategy had put forward several ways that the district could entice and nurture higher value industries and jobs, while still leveraging off a top quality natural environment. The underlying philosophy was to tap into the knowledge and skills of local business people, investors and promoters.

“Everything in the draft strategy is up for discussion, and I hope that people will take the chance to have a good debate about some of the proposals. Nothing has been decided.”

Ms van Uden said that Shaping Our Future was planning to hold independent economic forums in Wanaka and Queenstown later this month, to provide an opportunity to thrash around some of the ideas in the draft strategy and come up with others. QLDC councillors will also run drop-in sessions to give people the chance to ask questions about the strategy and share their thoughts with their elected representatives.

ENDS

→ Read the draft strategy and access the feedback form