Lisa Guy

Question: What is your view on intensification within the Lake Hayes catchment area?

Lake Hayes – Te Whaka-ata a Haki-te Kura – reflections of ancestors, soul of our community — place of beauty, and deep connection. One glance at it speaks volumes, “There’s squirrels on the lake, Mum” = squalls, a full southerly blowing in, smelly brown algal bloom? ‘Is this safe - or not, to swim?' Before we could afford a home, my family rented a lakeside crib through endless winters and edges of summer, vacating so owners could have their Christmas by the lake. A borrowed catamaran at the water’s edge, septic tank under a luscious apricot tree, full-length windows built for views lined with cardboard fridge boxes to keep our kids warm at night — growing up in paradise, they started getting duck itch. A fork in the road for me.

When I first stood for Council, I began a “Mike Hanff science-on-the-move apprenticeship.” Friends of Lake Hayes school me on lake conditions and challenges — catchment and stormwater management. I value walk and talks with Mike — a treasure trove of information and inspiration, explaining catchment silt traps, lake life cycles, details of mixes and flushes. Clear, sharp opinions whenever the response of Council is significant or lacking.

We must be absolutely certain any development in the Lake Hayes catchment improves water quality outcomes. Things can be made right. Stakeholder cooperation that targets global best practice around discharge standards, and catchment management. Landowners, from the far reaches of the catchment to the waters edge, FOLH, ORC, QLDC, Mana Tahuna Charitable Trust, e3Scientific, Whakatipu Reforestation Trust, Love Queenstown and passionate, clever community members have improved the lake — enhancing biodiversity and wetlands, replanting natives. Critical silt trapping and catchment management — in my opinion an exemplar of environmental leadership and stewardship. Next steps? Address storm water considerations, stop dirty water entering the lake.

The Queenstown Lakes District Plan is clear: “No activity shall result in a reduction of water quality in Lake Hayes, and where possible, activities should enhance it.” That must be a baseline for decision-making — not an aspiration.

The lake is showing signs of recovery. We must not undo that work by short-term decisions that ignore the long-term consequences.

Policy 24.2.4.2 States: “restrict the subdivision, development and use of the land in the Lake Hayes Catchment , unless it can contribute to water quality improvement in the catchment commensurate with the nature, scale and location of the proposal.”

This means any development proposed in that catchment must demonstrably enhance water quality not degrade it, and that takes far more consideration than a donation to the FOLH.

Question: Do you consider the Coronet Village fast-track application positive or negative?

I’m approaching the Coronet Village fast-track application with a neutral stance. I understand both the concerns raised and the intent behind the proposal. At this stage, I believe it is essential to maintain focus on outcomes — particularly around water quality, landscape impact, and infrastructure capacity.

I’ve requested that councillors receive induction into the fast-track consenting process at the commencement of the new term, including how elected members can give feedback without jeopardising ability to be part of future hearings. In some situations, where Council remains neutral, there may still be pathways for councillors to be involved in hearings or briefings without predetermined positions — a balance that allows for good governance and public trust. Fast track is a new process, detail of which is yet to be understood, we may have little control or influence, I’m interested in enabling the best outcomes for our district. 

Question: What infrastructure would you like to see in place to address our traffic and sewage issues in Queenstown?

We need integrated thinking to address our whole-of-infrastructure deficit. Our region is under pressure from sustained growth, as an emerging metro we’re working hard on a regional deal with central government, a significant outcome of my first term. There’s opportunity in front of us, one of the first three local government authorities invited to negotiate a unique pathway forward. A longer term view, with potential for other revenue streams than rates, our best chance for any blue sky thinking, offering new opportunities for significant infrastructure delivery. We must be serious about funding, financing, and value capture that relieves the burden on rate payers and residents. Growth must pay for growth, that means securing better tools and partnerships to deliver the basics our communities need.

Local water done well, a Council-Controlled Organisation (CCO) will reshape the way water services are delivered across the district. The CCO has clear purpose, to do the job it needs to do, find the money to do it, managed well, for public health, and future generations with long term fiscal responsibility and sustainability. We currently have $75+ million in the Long-Term Plan allocated to resolving the Shotover waste water disposal issue with options still to be assessed — we have a significant uplift in water investment to make what ever way we look at it, with government reform underway, the shape of future water services delivery will continue to evolve.

On transport, I believe we need a paradigm shift and I see signs of this happening. That means integrated transport systems, delivered in new ways, whether that’s public transport, gondolas, more efficient buses, ferries, better roading and bridges, with smarter trip by trip travel planning traffic demand management and parking solutions. In my opinion t’s going to take a regional deal, with active collaboration between iwi, central government, local government, private sector, and key stakeholders to deliver better outcomes for our communities, to drive change at the scale and pace needed. It’s encouraging to see considerable activity in this space and government beginning to respond to our call. 

We should also be looking to global best practice — from low-energy, decentralised waste treatment solutions like those developed by the Gates Foundation, to off-grid and small-scale models , decentralised energy solutions, that serve growing communities without relying solely on traditional infrastructure. Let the experts tell us what’s not possible — but let’s start from the assumption that better is possible.

The infrastructure challenges we face are significant, but not insurmountable. What’s needed is clear strategy, integrated planning, and the courage to invest in smarter solutions.