Despite a proposed Queenstown Lakes District Council plan change regarding the Arrowtown growth boundary being discussed behind closed doors last week, it was expected the issue would be aired in public this month during the full council meeting.
Last year, 446 responses were received on plan change 29 - Arrowtown boundary, in response to a potential growth boundary plan change which will map future boundaries for urban centres in the district.
Of the responses, 400 were received near the deadline for submissions from Arrowtown residents, who filled in survey forms distributed by a group of residents concerned about the implications of boundary extensions for the town.
Strategy committee chairwoman Gillian Macleod said the decision to discuss the proposed plan change in a public-excluded session at last week's meeting was to allow candid discussion on what had so far been a volatile issue.
"We just wanted to have a free and frank discussion and say the various positive and negative [arguments]. Because it's such a volatile issue and people are so passionate about it both ways . . . I think when you're under the public scrutiny, people tend to say what the public want to hear, rather than what they think."
While Cr Macleod could not divulge details of the discussions on the agenda item, when asked if all committee members were in agreement on the issue, she said "no".
There had been some discussion over council-owned land which could be used for public good and privately-owned land which would be used for private good, she said.
There were also discussions over existing zone boundaries and a potential private plan change which would include land along MacDonnell Rd.
Cr Macleod said whatever happened in terms of the council's plan change, it would "not necessarily" be the definitive plan change as it would need to go through the public notification and hearings process if it were adopted by the council.
At the end of last week's meeting, it was agreed the item should be discussed publicly at next week's full council meeting, scheduled for May 26, provided the written report was prepared in time, she said.
