QLDC by-election candidate responses to questions put by Kelvin Peninsula Community Association

Esther Whitehead answers:

Expansion of the Airport at Frankton and the Spatial Plan, your views on:

Expansion of the ANBs at Frankton Airport? 

I back the community’s very clear position of not extending the noise boundaries. A poor consultation with a lack of dignity and regard for what the community wants has led to real mistrust, I feel that the Martin Jenkin’s Report was the nail in the coffin, when it comes to trusting the process.

I hope to build better relationships and scrutinise what comes before me as a councillor. I feel there is too much ‘reading and regurgitating’ without deep thinking.

Meeting / managing the demand for growth in passenger numbers?

We have allowed and even enabled QAC to set the tone, the intent and the way forward. As 75% stakeholders we need to slow this non-democratic process down and again I come back to the governance processes of our council. There has been failure within the council to provide a transparent and co-designed approach. Many in our community have consultation fatigue, we’re tired of the approach of a baked cake put on the table and being asked if we should put in more or less sugar. I’d like to see more participatory democracy within our local governance. Representation of many cohorts is skewed both positively and negatively. I would like to see more diversity around the table.

The proposal for a new airport at Tarras?

 I come with an open mind to explore the complexities of a regional airport in Tarras, and a comprehensive and true exploration of what the dual local airports compared to a better structured regional hub would be. The biggest challenges around this are not so much the processes but the re-imagining of what can be.  

Whether consideration should be given to alternative land use of the Frankton Flats?

I absolutely think that consideration of an alternative Frankton Flats should be on the menu for the reasons mentioned above. This is more than a NIMBY approach to ‘moving the problem elsewhere’, it’s about an exploration and visioning that looks to address real issues to the region, including land availability, projected population growth, climate change, and carbon costs which have an impact on us locally and the rural Tarras communities. I think we have to explore a higher tolerance to uncertainty- some of us do this more comfortably than others. My opinion as a councillor is not what matters, it’s how I approach uncertainty that matters, how I scrutinise all the information rather than positioning myself on a bias I may hold. I’ve seen too much ‘reading and regurgitating’ across leadership, and not enough cognition.

Climate emergency: what should Council be doing in response to the challenges of the imperatives for meaningful action in the course of this decade?

The main issue is the lack of carbon accounting as a balanced part of all reporting across all workstreams. I urge council to invest in its climate response team, so it is resourced to account every action. This is a long-term approach that, while seemingly, an expense in the short term, will serve the community well over coming years. This will protect council from climate change shocks that could come from central government as well as other sources.

Road transport accounts for 37% of our District’s greenhouse gas emissions – by far and away the largest emitting sector. QLDC’s own Climate Action Plan states a key outcome is for the district to have a “low carbon transport system”. It goes on to state that this will be delivered through “bold, progressive leaders” and “agents of change” with “public transport, walking and cycling [being] everyone’s first travel choice.”

This Ten-Year Plan makes no significant progress in mitigating climate change. Much of the $450m to be spent on transport is focused on motor vehicles, which will exacerbate emissions over the next decade. Relatively little is to be invested in active transport across the District. There is minimal funding for public transport in Wānaka over the next ten years. I sit on the Climate Advisory Reference Group to QLDC’s Climate Action Team…and this advice is very clear.

The difference: what difference can you make on Council if elected?

I am not here for my ego or for a career opportunity, I am here because I care about the big picture, about wellbeing now and in the future, and that means, healthy housing, community owned resources that we can drive as a community, and better trust in our institutions (to name but a few0. There is very low trust right now in our council, and it’s not that enticing to put your name forward but I think that my empathetic and intelligent approach to listen and reason will be well received around the table. A great strength of mine is building relationships and this byelection is fundamental to what happens in next year’s election, where I predict we will see several councillors and our Mayor standing down. I have proven competencies in leadership and governance and I do not want to shrink away from front facing the issues of our time, we can do better, this by-election in just one transaction in our future democracy, My legacy is about success in succession, role modelling different ways of thinking, questioning where appropriate and opening the doors for greater participatory democracy and supporting others to come forward, what comes after me is what’s important.

Re governance, I will advocate for more diverse and engaged elected councillors, we have only Caucasian older councillors. Where is representation with lived experience of younger cohorts, migrant communities, Te Ao Maori, people from lower socio-economic backgrounds?

• Ask whether we should replace Wanaka Community Board with another QLDC councillor.
• advocate for more participatory democracy- not just the vote but other mechanisms such as the way QLDC consults to the community. Consulting is already baked- this needs to change.
• remove barriers for standing for council e.g. better remuneration, more communication and support to encourage diverse councillors to put names forward. – stronger monitoring of conflicts of interest/processes of consultation
• Cross reference all workstreams, policies and practices against the QLDC’s Climate Action Plan
• term limits for Councillor roles.
• I will advocate for more active cognition from Councillors and Exec Teams and less of a reliance on an authoritarian approach.

Phil Wilson answers:

Expansion of the Airport at Frankton and the Spatial Plan, your views on:

Expansion of the ANBs at Frankton Airport? 

The community has given a clear message to QAC and Council that an expansion of the air noise boundaries will not be tolerated. I totally agree with this sentiment and I will push for the message to be made loud and clear to QAC that airport growth in numbers must be controlled by other means. I believe that Council as majority shareholder should have representation on the QAC board so that the community has direct input into airport decisions which have a huge impact on our community.

Meeting / managing the demand for growth in passenger numbers?

Post covid we have the opportunity to revaluate on what level of growth the town can cope with. Now is the time to make some hard decisions on managing the demand for growth. We cannot sustain uncontrolled growth. The formation of the Spatial Plan is an indication that Council is taking a consultative approach in managing growth. This is a step in the right direction.

The proposal for a new airport at Tarras?

The proposal for another airport at Tarras is ridiculous. The idea of transporting passengers from Tarras to Queenstown through the Kawarau Gorge is unsustainable.

Whether consideration should be given to alternative land use of the Frankton Flats?

I see the currant location of the airport as an asset to the town and I do not support relocation of the airport from Frankton.  

Climate Emergency: what should Council be doing in response to the challenges of the imperatives for meaningful action in the course of this decade?

Climate change must be considered in our long term planning. We must do our best to limit carbon emissions no matter how small our contribution is considered on a global scale. I am pleased to see that these considerations are already taken into account in Council’s planning and operations. Council’ s Climate Action Plan addresses the issue leading our community to be resilient and climate conscious enabling our economy and natural environment to thrive together.

The Difference; what difference can you make on Council if elected?

Applying the knowledge and experience learned over 40 years in this community working in business, law and numerous community organisations I am well placed to bring an experienced and reasoned voice to the Council table for the good governance of the district and the betterment of its communities. I encourage all eligible voters to vote in the by-election when voting papers arrive in your mailbox 20 – 25 May.

Condensed versions of their responses to three questions at a late April Greypower meeting:

Air noise boundary expansion at Queenstown Airport – vote yes or no?

Phil Wilson: No – the community has spoken and council and QAC have heard and responded.

Esther Whitehead: No – 97% of community feedback was opposed.

(Catalyst comment: QAC’s Statement of Intent still commits to noise boundary growth.)

Is council’s climate change response adequate?

Phil Wilson: Yes, it is the overarching policy in the Spatial Plan.

Esther Whitehead: The council is moving in the right direction but we need greater speed and efficiencies. The Independent Climate Reference Group member says the policy sounds good but resource and staff aren’t funded to apply it.

Do you have courage to stand against senior staff/mayoral bullying to not speak up around the council table?

Phil Wilson: Yes, as I showed as a councillor in the 1990s, but councillors should do most of their discussion behind-the-scenes and have consensus around the table.

Esther Whitehead: As I have shown in various roles, I am always prepared to stand up and question or challenge when necessary.