Government deal closer for Central Otago and Queenstown
Congestion charges or tolls could be on the way for Queenstown as part of a government deal to cope with population growth and pressure on infrastructure.
Otago Central Lakes is one of three regions which have made it to the next stage to negotiate a 10-year regional deal partnership, the government announced today.
Three Otago councils have been working together since late last year to secure the agreement which Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Local Government Minister Simon Watts say will help unlock growth.
The region, which comprises the Otago Regional Council, Central Otago District Council and Queenstown Lakes District Council, submitted a proposal last year.
It outlined the region's challenges with rising population and visitor numbers and how to manage it.
The proposal said mass rapid transit such as a gondola or the gondola-like cable cars could help to "alleviate road congestion by offering transport that bypasses traditional road networks".
It called for a revised public transport funding model to enable long-term private sector partnering for mass rapid transit along with "road pricing".
Among the expectations laid out by the ministers is that the region commit to exploring congestion charging.
The government also expected the region to "unlock housing growth including around rapid transit corridors".
'City and Regional Deals will be strategic 10-year partnerships between local and central government to progress joint priorities including economic growth, enabling abundant housing, better management and utilisation of local assets, and closing the infrastructure deficit,' Mr Bishop said.
Queenstown Mayor Glyn Lewers said government help was needed to manage the impact of growth..
"We need to work with central government on affordable and sustainable tools that enable us to continue to manage growth and ensure the entire region retains its status as a destination of choice'.
Central Otago mayor Tamah Alley said the announcement was a significant step forward but cautioned it was "not a done deal".
"Central Otago understands the growth issues Queenstown has faced in recent years and we are already seeing some of those emerge in our district.
"Working alongside ORC, QLDC and Central Government to future proof our communities across infrastructure, housing and economic growth is a smart play'." - APL
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