A lack of public transport in the Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes districts is concerning residents, some of whom made verbal submissions to an Otago Regional Council hearings panel in Alexandra yesterday.
Arthurs Point resident Robin Rawson told the panel of six councillors that the Wakatipu basin's inadequate public transport network was expensive, slow and impractical.
She said the council should support an improved system, in accordance with its policies on public transport outlined in its draft 10-year plan.
" . . . public transport services in Queenstown are not affordable, not accessible, and don't support residents' needs.
"It takes 45 minutes to bus to town from Arrowtown, and 50 minutes back again, and there's no bus service to many places including where I live."
Ms Rawson said a $1.50 bus fare in Dunedin covered about 4.5km, whereas the minimum bus fare without concessions in Queenstown was $6 between stops - a distance of about 3km.
"I constantly see young locals and visitors hitch-hiking to or from work and many families rely on a second or third car."
Panel chairman Duncan Butcher said the council had a trial system planned, although promised government funding was no longer secure.
"There's been a re-thinking of public transport within the new Government and we haven't got that guarantee we had been promised in the past, but we're hopeful we can carry on."
Central Otago's public transport troubles were highlighted by the verbal submission of sole taxi service provider Keith Dowling.
Mr Dowling (69), of Alexandra, said he had been forced to cut back his taxi service due to harsh economic realities and poor health.
He had been unable to sell the business.
Mr Dowling asked the council for a $2000 a month subsidy to run his service, which was needed by mobility-impaired people.
Lake Hayes Water Quality Enhancement Society spokesman Tom Pryde, of Lake Hayes, told the panel spreading algae threatened the lake's beauty and recreational water activities.
He said residents were "disturbed and horrified" about the lake's condition, asking the council to support in kind an $81,750 floating pump system aimed at reducing algae bloom.
The pump, which would be moored in the lake, would disperse oxygenated water thus removing stagnant conditions required for algae growth. "We're not seeking money.
What we want is further support for our efforts, although if there are consents needed we would like the fees waived if we get to that point."
Central Otago WasteBusters manager Karen Noble, of Alexandra, asked the council for $20,000 to upgrade an education facility at the recycling centre.
WasteBusters had "exhausted" its funding supply from the Central Otago District Council and Central Lakes Trust, she said, adding an improved education facility would benefit the community. WasteBusters employee Ruth McNamara, of Alexandra, made a personal submission about the need for a hazardous waste collection and disposal system in Central Otago.
