The Queenstown Lakes District Council heritage strategy and the New Zealand Historic Places Trust are where the Queenstown and District Historical Society should direct its expertise and resources over the next two years, the chairman says.
However, the loss of influence to other Wakatipu heritage groups, attrition of experienced members and the need to manage the financial and legal risks when intervening in Resource Management Act hearings were identified as risks with the society's new direction.
The comments came from returning chairman Bill Dolan, of Arrowtown, on behalf of the committee, in his report tabled at the society's annual meeting. The committee had completed a review of the society's activities with the aim of developing a two-year strategy.
Mr Dolan said the review took into account the "drop-off in commercial development", the opportunities offered by the society's "broad and flexible trust deed", which allowed for education and awareness-raising, and the ability to intervene in the planning and consents process.
The review identified the "critical importance" of ensuring the council's heritage strategy was appropriately resourced and implemented by the new council.
It also pinpointed the importance of the society's working relationship with the council, the trust, the Lakes District Museum, the Department of Conservation and other heritage groups.
About 50 members and supporters attended the annual meeting, in the St John Wakatipu rooms, in Frankton, on November 11.
Ralph Hanan, of Lake Hayes, is the new vice-chairman, Jocelyn Robertson, of Arrowtown, returned as secretary and Gavin Jack, of Arrowtown, became the new treasurer.
Guest speaker Dr Matt Schmidt, of the Historic Places Trust, talked about the archaeology of the Cardrona, Skippers and Moonlight areas.
