Niki Gladding

Q1 It is well known that one of the key contributors to the historic issues with Lake Hayes water quality has been from upstream land development. What is your position on intensification in the Lake Hayes catchment area?

The District Plan is crystal clear, in its rules and policies: that subdivision, development, and land use in the Lake Hayes catchment must be restricted unless it can contribute to water quality improvement.  My position is simply that we need to make decisions in line with this policy and not ignore the requirements.  I doubt intensification can be achieved that meets that requirement, but it will come down to location, mitigation measures available, and how much funding exists.  A precautionary approach should be taken and all claims around mitigations should be thoroughly tested.

Q2a Do you consider the current Coronet Village Fast-Track application that includes 780 residences positive or negative?

It's a fast-track listed proposal for non-lifeline infrastructure, in a vulnerable catchment, that will add to our infrastructure deficit, and that is contrary to the Spatial Plan.  On that basis, I can't support it.  

Q2b Why do you say that?

The chance of this complex proposal being properly assessed under this consenting pathway is slim.  I'm concerned the impacts on freshwater, on productive soils, and on QLDC's already creaking transport and wastewater infrastructure won't be properly considered. I'm concerned we don't have the infrastructure in place to cope with the proposed development,  and I'm concerned that the knowledge and concerns of the community won't be heard by the decision-maker.

Q3 What infrastructure would you like to see in place to address our traffic and sewerage issues in Queenstown? Please provide specific examples.

Traffic: 

We need a new, 2-lane bridge across the Shotover at Arthur's Point;

Looking ahead, I believe we're going to need another Kawarau River, crossing from below Lake Hayes Estate to 'river right', allowing south-bound traffic to avoid the Shotover Bridge and the BP intersection. 

And we need bus priority lanes where that's possible to ensure faster trips by bus.

Wastewater:  

Over time we need to create a connected but decentralised system to achieve much-needed resilience in our network.

Over time I believe we need to shift the Shotover Treatment Plant to a less vulnerable location - not my idea but a good one, I think;

We need adequate calamity storage for sewerage treatment plant failures; 

We need high quality filtration and polishing infrastructure for  WW leaving our UV treatment Plants - to remove as many contaminants as possible (not just the ones we currently treat and test for);

And I believe we need to remediate the Shotover disposal field - and potentially expand it - so we can stop the discharge to the river.