The proposed $30 million new offices for the Queenstown Lakes District Council were a waste of money, grandiose and a low priority in worsening financial times, yesterday's long-term plan hearing was told.
Kelvin Heights businessman Eion Edgar said the council should use empty space already in town because it was a good time to be negotiating rental agreements.
Crown Terrace resident Jef Desbecker agreed, saying the council should renew its current leases and help sustain the economy.
"Council should just continue with the current arrangements and don't you dare burden us with more debt for your personal grand designs. Times are tough and things are slowing down. We all have to adjust and that includes you," he said.
Queenstown builder Tony Bennetts said the proposal made "no sense at all".
Chamber chief executive Ann Lockhart said feedback from members amounted to a "resounding no" to the council building new offices.
She said the council should not approve the plan without further review because the public consultation period was too short.
Remarkables Park director Alastair Porter said the QLDC could promote employment and encourage development without building new offices, calling for the council to reduce contributions charged to developers.
He said the council could "get one hell of a deal" in leasing office space in the current climate.
But Mayor Clive Geddes said the community was more supportive of new council offices as a result of the Kawarau Falls companies going into receivership and the possibility of construction workers being out of work.
Other issues raised yesterday by the 39 people who spoke in support of their written submissions included:
• Lakes Leisure request that the council address parking issues at the Queenstown Events Centre, refurbish changing rooms, refit and upgrade the function room, fund floodlighting, and bring forward to 2009-10 $1.22 million in funding which was allocated to later years.
It also asked the council to reconsider an application for $720,000 to build toilet and changing facilities on sports fields. The council rejected this application and approved a revised amount of $100,000.
• Mr Edgar called for a ferry service for the Frankton Arm and for the council to bring forward the upgrade of the Queenstown Events Centre extensions.
He said with the possibility of the Kawarau Falls Station development being delayed, the events centre was the only place for large conferences.
"It is frightening that a city of this calibre has no facilities for conferences. We need to get our priorities right," he said.
He also said the council should bring forward work on the Wanaka sports and aquatic facilities, with the aim of these being in one location to reduce ongoing administration costs.
• Harvest Community Garden Network called for land on Gorge Rd be made into a community garden.
• Arrowtown Village Association member Simon Spark sought approval in principle for a multi-use facility for land on Suffolk St.
• Arrowtown resident Sarah Jessop spoke about Arrowtown traffic congestion, speeding and lack of footpaths on McDonnell Rd. She said it was extremely dangerous and only matter of time before a fatality occurred on the road.
