Quentin Smith

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?

I support the position of the Friends of Lake Hayes in that any development within the catchment of Lake Hayes should meet the very high bar of not only not making the issue worse but actually improving the water quality of Lake Hayes.  It is simply unacceptable that Lake Hayes ever breach the swimmable water standards.  

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

I am guided by the detailed strategic work regarding Landuse and Development in the Wakatipu Basin in the forms of the Spatial Plan, Wakatipu Basin Landuse Study, Chapter 24 of the District plan and Landscape Schedules.  I would rather rely on a decade of evidence based and process tested planning rather than my “opinion”.  None of the current strategic work anticipates new large settlements in the basin rather focuses on the key growth corridors and intensification.  The Infrastructure consequences of a number of new isolated settlements are simply unknown and unplanned at this point. 

Q2b Why do you say that?

I believe in evidence based and process tested planning.   Shooting from the hip is rarely accurate.  

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

Noting that your question relates to Queenstown I will answer for Queenstown but note there are also massive priorities in the Upper Clutha. 
Priority 1 is the resolution of the disposal of treated wastewater from Project Shotover, in an appropriate way and the decommissioning of the the old oxidation ponds.  

Priority 2 is Transport infrastructure, Completion of the Queenstown Package part 2 including the public transport priority works on franton road, the new crossing of the Shotover at Arthurs Point, Second Crossing and improvements from the southern corridor and more.    A Gondola is a definite maybe if the transport benefits and cost effectiveness can be demonstrated.