Issue #933

by Paul Taylor

As we all barrel roll back into work after a fortnight of eating, drinking, joy, present-giving, sun and relaxation, most of us will have some New Year’s resolutions, some goals for 2024, plans to make it a year of progress. After all, we can’t just keep stuffing away turkey, mince pies and booze, and splashing money around, expecting it not to have a catastrophic impact on our waistlines and bank balances. Even Santa probably has a dry January. I could share with you my resolutions, which are unfortunately much the same as last year, but rather than get all awkward and personal, I thought I’d rattle out three 2024 New Year’s Resolutions for our collective drunk uncles at Queenstown Lakes District Council.

1. Aim for a zero-percentage rates increase
Look, it was loads of fun in 2018 when then-mayor Jim Boult and the council staffers drew up plans to spend close to a billion dollars over a decade. But money was cheap back then, council wasn’t close to its debt ceiling, and a local bed tax looked to be real possibility. Now, with interest rates, water infrastructure, and emergencies like the crypto bug, leaky building payments and the rest, it’s time to forget all the bells-and-whistles dream list and make some very difficult decisions. “We can’t afford that” should be the mantra for QLDC in 2024, because the average 14.3% rates rise in 2023 was unacceptable, especially as some residents are in the grip of a cost of living crisis. The billion-dollar plan envisaged an average rates increase of just 3.5% per annum. I know QLDC has already deferred many projects, but it should indefinitely shelve many more. It should start with Project Manawa and its own new council offices because, altogether now, “We can’t afford that”.

2. Hassle Central Government every single day
When Messers Luxon, Peters and Seymour see Queenstown Lakes Mayor Glyn Lewers and council boss Mike Theelen, their first reaction should be “oh God, not them again”. Phone calls, letters, group pestering with other councils, pressure through the media, all with a Jerry Maguire-inspired cry of “Show me the money!” Luxon has ruled out a bed tax, Three Waters is dead in the water, and the Coalition Government is focused on being thrifty, but a National Infrastructure Agency with direct deals with regional government was an election pledge. Hold them to it. We also need to push them to help with affordable accommodation, transport and health services.

3. To the councillors: question everything
We all want a functioning council but we also need strong voices around the council table, who’ll question each other, staffers and represent the community. To often, debate is stifled by ‘meeting rules’ or behind closed doors meetings. Gloves off in 2024! We want to see you thrash it out in the open. It’s a pivotal year and we can’t sacrifice diligence for speed and ‘progress’.