"We commenced with a ‘get stuff done’ attitude and have carried that through 2023," chairman Simon Telfer said.
The board’s main focus was to complete projects already in the pipeline.
"We recognise and appreciate the previous board and council for preparing and funding these and the QLDC [Queenstown Lakes District Council] teams for delivering them," Mr Telfer said.
Completed initiatives included Paetara Aspiring Central in the heart of Wānaka, opening of Whare Mahana Luggate Memorial Centre, construction of Te Ara Maumahara along stage 2 of the lakefront development and the transfer of Mt Iron into community ownership.
"The latter three are legacy projects that will benefit our community for decades, even generations, to come," he said.
Transport projects have progressed well. The Anderson and Aubrey Rds roundabout had been completed in relatively short time and next to this, the latest addition to the shared path network along the length of Anderson Rd, was just a couple of weeks away from being fully open.
Preparation work was being done on several infrastructure projects which would be delivered in 2024, including roundabouts at Capell Ave in Hāwea and Riverbank-Ballantyne Rds in Wānaka.
Once completed, the Schools to Pool pathway would allow children to walk or cycle on a separated pathway from Holy Family Primary School to Three Parks.
The Wānaka Airport Liaison Committee was set up in the middle of the year and board member representation on that group were advocating strongly for Wānaka Airport master planning to be undertaken next year.
Mr Telfer said the board’s Share with Us sessions had been well attended and covered the gamut of issues in the district.
"I’m particularly pleased with elected member engagement with community groups over the year," he said.
The board’s priorities for 2024 included completing the Schools to Pool shared pathway, construction of several roundabouts, delivery of the Marina and Stoney Creek sections of the lakefront development, Wānaka Airport master planning and setting up a Community Empowerment Fund.
