Not open for public discussion at QLDC full council meeting

The Mayor of Queenstown, Glyn Lewers has instructed his staff that no one will be permitted to speak on the topic of the Gibbston Valley Station (GVS) Fast Track application at the QLDC full council meeting on 12 December 2024.

This decision has left Gibbston residents feeling frustrated. As concerned locals, they have now lost the opportunity to voice their opinions for even three minutes during full council meetings regarding the GVS Fast Track application.

Why?

QLDC has stated that Fast Track applications are not covered under the council’s Standing Orders until the Fast Track Bill is passed and only if the council is specifically called upon to provide a submission.

In plain terms, QLDC has made it clear that developers can approach the council confidentially with proposals, but the council will not consider comments or objections from Gibbston residents. This stance remains unchanged even after the Ministry for the Environment formally announced the Gibbston Valley Station (GVS) Fast Track application, and despite GVS acknowledging the application and providing only minimal details about their proposed development.

We question what the self-inflicted Standing Orders QLDC have favour the developer and not the residents.

Several FOGCZ members have sought to challenge QLDC's stance, including through Robert Yang's correspondence with Jane Robertson, Senior Democracy Services Advisor at QLDC.

Why were we allowed to speak at their council meeting on 24 October 2024? Four of us spoke, yet they now claim it was merely an aberration.

We must continue pushing back and ensuring our voices are heard. More updates will follow soon. In the meantime, please use the FOGCZ Facebook channel to actively share your opinions.

It's crucial that FOGCZ remains united and vocal.