The final financial reports for Lakes Environmental Ltd show its former chief executive Hamish Dobbie, who resigned suddenly in April, was given a $55,000 severance payment, ''representing the equivalent payment to that set out in the contractual notice period''.
At the time of his resignation a request from the Otago Daily Times for details of Mr Dobbie's payout were declined by council chief executive Adam Feeley ''for reasons of personal privacy''.
In April Mr Feeley said Mr Dobbie's remuneration package included a 10% at-risk component based on ''performance criteria'' and the board awarded 75% of the at-risk component.
The company's financial statement shows in the year ended June 30, 2012 five employees received remuneration and other benefits of more than $100,000.
Mr Dobbie's remuneration was between $260,001 and $270,000.
In the financial year ended June 30, 2013, six employees received more than $100,000, the highest earner receiving between $350,001 and $360,000 per annum.
Acting chief executive Peter Laurenson, who is married to Queenstown Lakes mayor Vanessa van Uden, earned between $130,001 and $140,000 after his appointment on April 15.
Fiona McKissock, the former chief executive of Lakes Leisure, received a one-off payment of $30,000 following her resignation in August last year. It is understood Ms McKissock earned between $150,000 and $160,000 per annum.
• A range of projects and facilities could benefit from $3.2 million transferred from Lakes Leisure Ltd to a reserve fund held by the Queenstown Lakes District Council.
At the council's finance and corporate committee meeting yesterday, the final annual reports for Lakes Leisure and Lakes Environmental Ltd were presented by chief financial officer Stewart Burns.
Both companies were disestablished this year following an organisational review.
Within the Lakes Leisure deed, a clause stated any net assets held by the company at the time of disestablishment were to be used for ''charitable purposes''.
Mr Burns said under law the definition included the release of property, advancement of education, religion or any other matter benefiting the community.
That could include water and waste water, roading, transport, community facilities and cultural facilities.
