Queenstown-Lakes District Council

Wānaka-Upper Clutha Ward
The Queenstown-Lakes District Council provides local services and facilities, such as public transport, rubbish and recycling, libraries, parks, and recreation facilities. It also makes decisions about building and planning, local regulations, and infrastructure, such as water supply and sewerage. The council is made up of 11 councillors and the mayor. Councillors are elected to represent wards (areas in the district). Four councillors will be elected from the Wānaka-Upper Clutha ward. This is a first past the post (FPP) election, so you vote by ticking the name of your preferred candidate on your ballot paper. Compare the candidates and their policies to decide who to vote for in the Queenstown-Lakes District Council election.

Rates and revenue

The work of local government is funded mainly by property taxes in the local area, known as rates. This makes up around 60% of council expenditure, with the rest coming from user charges, investment income, regulatory fees and roading subsidies. Councils can also borrow money to spread the cost of large investments such as infrastructure over a longer period of time.

Rates and revenue

The work of local government is funded mainly by property taxes in the local area, known as rates. This makes up around 60% of council expenditure, with the rest coming from user charges, investment income, regulatory fees and roading subsidies. Councils can also borrow money to spread the cost of large investments such as infrastructure over a longer period of time.

  • Council investments: using council resources, I could investigate this issue more deeply.

    Fees and charges: using council resources, I could investigate this issue more deeply.

    Financial management: using council resources, I could investigate this issue more deeply.

    Council investments: using council resources, I could investigate this issue more deeply.

    Fees and charges: using council resources, I could investigate this issue more deeply.

    Financial management: using council resources, I could investigate this issue more deeply.

  • Scrutinise the operational budgets to ensure all effort is being made to reduce costs wherever possible.

    Develop a capital programme that is realistic and achievable rather than bold and ambitious.

    Discourage the mindset and expectation that rates need to rise every year.

  • Ensure local funding and developer contributions stay local and don't get pooled into larger funds.

    Invest with a grander vision and accountability for the long term outcomes.

    Better manage trusts and donations in collaboration of funding for public infrastructure.

  • Understand the need to keep rates affordable, but need to be balanced with need to the level of services the community expect and require.

    Support user pays for property development, to ensure that ratepayers do not subsidise associated infrastructure costs.

    Support inclusionary zoning proposal and higher rate charge for undeveloped sections. Support borrowing to pay for intergenerational assets.

  • Council investments: using council resources, I could investigate this issue more deeply.

    Fees and charges: using council resources, I could investigate this issue more deeply.

    Financial management: using council resources, I could investigate this issue more deeply.

    Council investments: using council resources, I could investigate this issue more deeply.

    Fees and charges: using council resources, I could investigate this issue more deeply.

    Financial management: using council resources, I could investigate this issue more deeply.

  • Scrutinise the operational budgets to ensure all effort is being made to reduce costs wherever possible.

    Develop a capital programme that is realistic and achievable rather than bold and ambitious.

    Discourage the mindset and expectation that rates need to rise every year.

  • Ensure local funding and developer contributions stay local and don't get pooled into larger funds.

    Invest with a grander vision and accountability for the long term outcomes.

    Better manage trusts and donations in collaboration of funding for public infrastructure.

  • Understand the need to keep rates affordable, but need to be balanced with need to the level of services the community expect and require.

    Support user pays for property development, to ensure that ratepayers do not subsidise associated infrastructure costs.

    Support inclusionary zoning proposal and higher rate charge for undeveloped sections. Support borrowing to pay for intergenerational assets.