Originally, the government was going to hand-pick five regions to pitch for a regional deal, under which both parties would jointly commit to address infrastructure issues, including housing and roading, to enable economic growth.
However, three weeks ago, the government announced all councils could apply, after first registering their interest by next Wednesday.
Lewers agrees it’s pushed the process out.
"It has probably taken a little bit longer than most people envisaged, but I have a feeling both the governing parties as well as the officials are still coming to terms with what a regional deal actually means."
However, he notes the selection criteria haven’t changed — you still need to have been involved in an urban partnership with government, delivered with government on infrastructure, be high growth and have potential to grow.
"So look, I think from my point of view, Queenstown-Lakes and Central Otago have a pretty good argument when it comes to ticking those boxes.
"And developing more housing is one of the other criteria."
Councils are also expected to involve their relevant regional council.
Lewers says they’d already intended involving Otago Regional Council "just on the basis they run our public transport system, and transport is one of the main strategic pillars when it comes to urban planning".
After registering their interest, councils then have to put in their final application by February 28.
"It doesn’t help that Christmas is right smack-bang in the middle, which probably isn’t the most optimal time for preparing something that could be quite important and game-changing for the district," Lewers says.
However, he adds "we’re already quite geared up for it because we were always going to apply".
The government will choose who it’ll partner with for the first regional deal by the end of next year, then have three deals in place by October 2026.
"It does [look] a bit messy, especially when you’ve got local body elections smack-bang in the middle of that, and [the government’s] acknowledged that.
"I think all the new deals will be signed by new councils — that’s a lot of work."
