Freedom camping reduced
Closed borders and a strict bylaw have drastically reduced the number of freedom campers in the Queenstown Lakes district.
QLDC
Harbourmaster quits amid safety concerns
Harbourmaster quits amid safety concerns
Wanaka harbourmaster and training officer Jeff Donaldson has resigned, a week before the busy holiday boating season begins, saying he cannot safely perform his functions.
Isolation rules ‘killing’ tourism industry remnants, mayor says
Isolation rules ‘killing’ tourism industry remnants, mayor says
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult says isolation requirements are "killing" what remains of the region’s tourism industry and is asking the Government to urgently review its policies.
Water recreation tensions
Water recreation tensions
Anglers want the Queenstown Lakes District Council to get its ducks in a row over recreation pressure on lakes and rivers.
Tourist border tax planned
Tourist border tax planned
Taxing tourists at the border remains on the Labour-led Government's to-do list, Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis says.
Arsenic 'geological feature'
Arsenic 'geological feature'
High arsenic levels found in soil in a part of residential Frankton last year are probably a geological feature of the area, an environmental consultant says.
Hawea chlorination concerns listened to
Hawea chlorination concerns listened to
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult has told Lake Hawea residents the council is not blind to the concerns the community has about the permanent chlorination of its water supply.
Fears for area's rural character
Submitters fear for area's rural character
What is rural and what is not was one of the questions posed at a resource consent hearing in Wanaka this week.
Wanaka decision could release 140 sections
Wanaka decision could release 140 sections
The Queenstown Lakes District Council is likely to decide next Thursday if it will sell its prime Scurr Heights land in Wanaka.
Council's bid to fast-track rules denied
Council's bid to fast-track rules denied
A legal bid to fast-track rules encouraging more intensive housing development in Queenstown has been denied.
50kmh limit imposed in wake of crashes
50kmh limit imposed in wake of crashes
Another non-injury car crash occurred on a gravel section of Ballantyne Rd, Wanaka, yesterday morning.
Focus is on water
Focus is on water
The Queenstown Lakes District Council launched its ‘‘Not Beersies is heresies'' campaign on Thursday.
First clamp of season
First clamp of season
It took about 72 hours for the first freedom clamp to be applied to a wheel in Queenstown.
SHA delay gives chance for feedback
SHA delay gives chance for feedback
Queenstown residents will have a second chance to provide feedback on a plan to encourage the development of six-storey apartment buildings in Gorge Rd.
Concerns drove helicopter appeal
Concerns drove helicopter appeal
The founder of a Queenstown tourism business said he had ‘‘no other option'' but to appeal an Environment Court decision relating to helicopter landings at Bobs Peak.
Special housing policy falls short
Special housing policy falls short
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden has admitted the council's special housing policy failed to meet her expectations.
Hire firms might collect fines
Hire firms might collect fines
Rental van companies may yet be required to collect the unpaid freedom camping fines of their customers on behalf of local authorities.
Month left for feedback on parking proposals
Month left for feedback on parking proposals
Wanaka residents have until October 19 to say whether they want pay and display parking machines.
Objection to Skyline variations
Objection to Skyline variations
A zipline company's 11th hour appeal has stymied Skyline Enterprises plans for a competing business in the same area - for now, at least.
Watersports building advance
Watersports building advance
It has been a big week for the group behind a proposed watersports building on the Lake Wanaka shore.