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Despite stating the biggest concern for the entire district is growth, Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Glyn Lewers has declined to take part in a survey on the fastest growing part of the district.
Upper Clutha lobby group Wānaka Stakeholders Group, which has been active on issues such as growth, infrastructure, wastewater, Lake Hawea and Wānaka Airport, conducted a survey of election candidates last month.
The group asked those running for the Queenstown Lakes District Council for their opinions on high-stakes issues.
By and large they found the response positive, but noted Mr Lewers did not acknowledge receiving the invite or follow-up.
"We wanted to give voters a survey where candidates could take a real stand on a number of issues in the Upper Clutha area," Wānaka Stakeholders Group spokeswoman Meg Taylor said.
When initially asked by the Wānaka Sun, Mr Lewers said he had not received the invite to the survey.
Mr Lewers later acknowledged he had received what he said was a "yes-no" survey and said he believed "tick-box" surveys did not contribute to good debate or forming policy, nor did they provide context.
"If it was a yes-no survey, I can see me not taking part in that."
He said he was happy to be interviewed on any and all issues by the group or others.
Topics cut across issues such as council transparency, the future of Wānaka Airport, wastewater and whether people feel there is a fair spend in the Upper Clutha.
Ms Taylor said it was disappointing the mayor blanked the survey, which she said gave Wānaka residents a better idea on candidates’ views on issues.
“I would have thought Glyn would have felt strong enough in his role as mayor to support and complete the survey.
“The mayor just didn't feel any need to engage at all and that is disappointing."
Ms Taylor said the survey was multiple choice and also had room for expansion on issues if candidates wanted to.
It was a good chance for those running for council to show they were not leaving Wānaka off the map, like previous years, she said.
While Mr Lewers had paid “lip service” to Wānaka during his term, it was more important than ever to have a Wānaka representative such as present deputy mayor Quentin Smith this next term, Ms Taylor said.
“I think he [Mr Lewers] has tried to be more approachable to Wānaka, but I think he has paid lip service to that and not moved the dial towards the Wānaka direction.”
Mr Lewers disagreed he had forgotten about Wānaka-centric issues and listed housing, health, water and infrastructure as his top priorities for Upper Clutha.
"I hear it from Wānaka people that they are different to Queenstown, but the underlying issue of this whole district is growth and how we deal with it.
"The idea that we can stop it — that is pie in the sky stuff — we are still a democratic country."