The Queenstown Lakes District Council's proposal to increase Lakes Environmental fees and charges is unjustified and unfair in the current economic climate, the majority of submitters at a long-term community plan hearing on Friday said.
Of the 24 submissions received on the council's draft consent processing charges and deposits, 22 were opposed to, and the remaining two were for amendments proposed by Lakes Environmental chief executive Hamish Dobbie.
Six people spoke in support of their submissions at the hearing.
Most opposed any increases.
Some said the council-controlled organisation should reduce staff instead and lack of productivity was not a reason to raise costs.
Remarkables Park director Alastair Porter said the 15% increase in planning and monitoring fees was substantial.
"The council should not introduce a further barrier to development by increasing fees and charges," he said.
QLDC regulatory and corporate general manager Roger Taylor said Lakes Environmental was required to break even, with revenue needing to cover total operating costs.
A reduction in consent applications had led to the review, he said.
Both resource and building consent applications had dropped significantly, with the former down 17% and the latter down 14%.
Lakes Environmental had to remain financially viable.
The proposed increase in charge-out rates ranged from 1% (engineering, a $1 increase) to 29% (health, an $18 increase).
The council would make a recommendation to be adopted at its next full meeting.
The policy had to be adopted by July 1.
