Joseph Mooney - MP for Southland
Amongst Queenstown-Lakes’ world-class wide-open spaces is a passionate community grappling with growing pains.
The infrastructure supporting growth; roads, water, housing, and basic services, has often lagged behind. For too long, central and local government have resembled ships passing in the night.
Whilst Regional Deals and the new Fast Track legislation offer a chance to change course, I feel projects connected to these policies could benefit from greater community engagement to explain the ideas behind them.
New houses, business ventures, transport options - we need them - but our community needs to see ways new projects can mitigate their downstream effects.
Our government is keen on a major shift toward joint planning and practical delivery.
Regional Deals and Fast Track applications are about realism, not rhetoric. Developing and delivering proposals for driving economic growth, improving infrastructure, and making housing more affordable.
But, I want to see greater engagement from fast track applicants with the wider community. Better explanation of how projects will support the roads, wastewater systems, and transport networks that keep the region functioning. While legislation doesn’t require this, it’s simply good practice. It’s how we build trust and ensure development enhances, rather than overwhelms, our communities.
Infrastructure challenges here are not theoretical, they’re lived every day. We all feel it when we head over the Shotover or Kawarau into town. Whether it’s traffic congestion, pressure on water services, or the inability of thousands of residents to receive basic mail, these are solvable problems if we align effort and responsibility.
The postal issue is unacceptable. People must be able to receive essential communications like health letters, voting papers, even parking fines. I am disappointed there hasn’t been better co-ordination between NZ Post, consenting authorities and developers to solve this.
I’m currently seeking ministerial advice on whether systems can evolve to allow more electronic delivery options, ensuring no resident is left behind.
This week, the government announced it’s improving how it selects infrastructure projects by making a series of changes to the Investment Management System, to ensure infrastructure meets New Zealanders’ needs, represents value for money, and can be successfully delivered.
Another idea I think worth exploring is whether a Regional Deal for Central Otago Lakes could trial New Zealand’s first Special Economic Zone. The New Zealand Initiative and others have long argued that our centralised model leaves little space for regional innovation. A SEZ could give local authorities greater flexibility to test new policies and retain a fairer share of the growth they generate. This is especially relevant in Queenstown-Lakes where visitor driven infrastructure puts unique strains on local budgets.
Nationally, the government’s Fast Track Approvals process is already delivering. So far, 19 projects have been approved by expert panels, 18 more have panels appointed, and 149 are listed. Decisions are being made in roughly 126 working days. I have had feedback that the fast track process is more comprehensive than regular consenting processes. It is a better co-ordinated planning process rather than a shortcut. This is proof the system can accelerate delivery while maintaining robust oversight.
Combined with the 30 year National Infrastructure Plan, this approach provides certainty and helps cut the red tape that has too often stalled essential works.
We have an unprecedented opportunity to make growth smarter, not harder, by joining up planning, speeding up delivery, and keeping our communities at the heart of decision making.
Regional Deals and Fast Track consents are not magic bullets, but together they can form the backbone of real progress.
Whilst much of New Zealand is crying out for growth and development, I am aware of a collective sigh when major developments are announced for Queenstown-Lakes. It’s not nimbyism, its residents’ common-sense concern of how we can absorb more growth considering the existing challenges people experience.
I am strongly conveying the communities concerns and strong desire for better co-ordinated planning and investment to Government, and advocating for these to be addressed in regional deal considerations.
We are fortunate to be a thriving, growing town, but I would like to see our growth come with better assurances for locals; better planning for infrastructure, and a greater acknowledgment of Queenstown-Lakes’ challenges - and opportunities.
