90 submissions on representation received, more expected
Arrowtown residents have got behind the town's political future and made submissions to keep the Arrowtown ward and representative on the council.
When submissions closed on Friday, 90 had been received by the Queenstown Lakes District Council, although late submissions were still to come, many of which would befrom Arrowtown.
Council corporate and regulatory services general manager Roger Taylor said most submissions had come from Arrowtown.
The Government's six-yearly review of council representation meant Arrowtown is just 200 residents short of having its own ward and representative, according to a 2006 census estimate, but the latest submissions suggest a hearing on the issue may be required.
If the submitters require to be heard, a working party of local barrister Michael Parker, Janice Hughes, of Wanaka, and Darren Rewi, of Queenstown, will each make a recommendation to the council for the June 26 full council meeting.
Options for Arrowtown will be to either keep the ward and representative, or have an alternative committee group, which Arrowtown councillor Lex Perkins said would be of concern, as it was important to have a representative "walking the halls" of the council building.
"It is all about consultation.
"We work on consultation and everything goes to consultation," Cr Perkins said.
