Probe into Feeley housing bid

Adam Feeley.
Adam Feeley.
The Auditor-General will investigate a special housing area bid by Queenstown Lakes District Council chief executive Adam Feeley's family trust.

Arrowtown Village Association acting chairman Wayne Hulls is now calling for the proposal to be pulled from consideration at this coming Wednesday's council meeting.

The inquiry was confirmed by the Auditor-General's office this morning.

Spokesman Mike Heine said: "In May, we received several requests from people in the Queenstown Lakes District to inquire into the chief executive's interest in land owned by his family being considered for a special housing area, including any involvement he had in developing the housing accord and the council's policy before he declared an interest.

"The requests raise issues of trust and confidence in council processes, and issues about how council officers can participate in those processes as members of the community."

In a statement issued this afternoon, Queenstown mayor Vanessa van Uden said the council was "comfortable" with the inquiry.

"We view this as an opportunity to reassure our community that this matter has been dealt with appropriately. Council will not be making further comment on this matter until such time as the inquiry has run its course. It is Council's hope that the inquiry can be concluded as quickly as possible."

Mr Feeley's Rafa Trust is one of 13 applications for special housing area status, which will be considered at a full council meeting on Wednesday.

The Rafa Trust's proposal is for 20 properties, of between 250 square metres and 500sq m, on McDonnell Road - opposite the Millbrook corner on the town's south side.

On Wednesday, council staff revealed their recommendations for the 13 special housing area applications, endorsing just four. But they were silent on all Arrowtown proposals, including Rafa Trust's, leaving it to councillors to weigh them up.

The biggest public backlash has been aimed at subdivisions in and around Arrowtown, which has spent years establishing a growth boundary.

Mr Hulls said Rafa Trust's application should be put aside until the investigation is finished.

He confirmed his association had contacted the Auditor-General's office twice about Mr Feeley's trust.

He described the investigation being launched as "really good news" because the situation "needed to be investigated".

"It may be all above board but even the Auditor-General said there's a perception problem."

Council rates records state that the Rafa Trust's land spans 6.175ha and is worth a combined $1.7 million.

Previously, Mr Feeley said he sought advice from the Auditor-General on how to manage the conflict - and it had stated it was comfortable with his approach.

Queenstown Mayor Vanessa van Uden said in February that Mr Feeley flagged his "potential conflict" with the whole council, adding: "I am completely satisfied that none exists."

 

 

Advertisement