Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean is urging the Queenstown Lakes District Council to ‘‘step up'' over worker accommodation in Wanaka.
The Otago Daily Times reported on Friday concern at prospects of a shortage of accommodation for ski season staff.
Mrs Dean said orchard workers had had similar problems in Central Otago, but developers were addressing the problem in Cromwell ‘‘thanks to great support from the Central Otago District Council''.
‘‘I would like to see the Queenstown Lakes District Council step up in Wanaka in a similar way, by making it more attractive for the developers of rental or worker accommodation to look at the area.''
She considered the council's regulations around short-term living accommodation might also act as a deterrent to home owners considering providing worker accommodation.
‘‘Tourism is growing in this country and Wanaka is riding the crest of that wave of success.
‘‘It's crucial that the town has the facilities to house the seasonal staff required to support this ongoing tourism growth for the benefit of the whole community,'' Mrs Dean said.
