The Wanaka Stakeholders Group called on the board, at its meeting yesterday, to get involved in the debate over the proposed $400million development of Wanaka Airport, and the Hawea Community Association sought more engagement on issues such as the controversial 400-lot special housing area (SHA), approved by the Government this week.
Association chairwoman April McKenzie, during her three minutes of public forum time, said she did not consider the public forum to be "engagement" because it did not allow for a "two-way discussion".
"I get to talk at you ... and then I don't get to know what you think".
Chairman Quentin Smith said a "more appropriate" forum could be arranged.
Ms McKenzie said the community had lost confidence in the council.
She noted Mayor Jim Boult's reference to "some" in the community being concerned about the SHA, and pointed out 500 people signed a petition against it, and several public meetings were also opposed.
"I would like to hear the Wanaka Community Board or at least the Wanaka councillors speaking out to correct the mayor's misleading comments," Ms McKenzie said in her written submission.
Mr Boult responded to a request for comment by saying he was "far from being dismissive".
"The decision to support the proposal ... was not taken lightly nor without due process."
Mr Boult said the council went "beyond the requirements of the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Act, and in all instances have sought community feedback".
"While it was a strong voice that the Hawea Community Association represented through their petition, it was by no means the whole community in opposition, or that has lost confidence, as Ms McKenzie suggests in her statement.
"In a community of more than 2800 residents where both support and opposition was demonstrated, I think it is neither dismissive nor misleading to say that some in the community had concerns."
Wanaka Stakeholders Group chairman Michael Ross called on the board to consider the final Wanaka Airport master plan "before" it was considered by the council.
"There is mounting concern, indeed some distress, in the Upper Clutha community among people feeling their views are not being listened to by council.
"By getting actively involved, and doing so now, the community board could go some way to addressing the significant concerns out there in our community."
