Queenstown residents are struggling to cope with the region's massive growth, report finds

Saturday, 15 December 2018

The cost and availability of housing was highlighted as a concern for some residents in a newly-released Quality of Life report.

Exceptional growth across Queenstown Lakes has come at a cost – quality of life, a report has found.

Queenstown Lakes District Council has released a new Quality of Life report undertaken with help from independent research company, Versus Research.

The report, based on a survey sent out to 10,000 residents, was carried out over September-October 2018 and was open to every resident over 18 years of age – from long-term residents to the seasonal workforce.

Researchers selected surveys collected from 1700 of the respondents to get a picture of life in the district – what they were proud of and loved, but also the pressure points.

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Overall the majority of residents are happy with their quality of life in the Queenstown Lakes district, with over three-quarters rating this as good or extremely good.

However, residents appear to feel that some of their quality of life has been lost because of the district's exceptional growth over the past few years, the report says.

'More than half of residents (63 per cent) indicate they are not comfortable with the growth of visitor or resident numbers within the district.'

Responses also highlighted a clear demand for more and better access to key services, especially mental health (62 per cent) and maternity services (60 per cent). Twenty-five per cent of people surveyed said they had accessed mental health services in the last 12 months. There were also calls for improvements to the hospital, and the need for another hospital.

Other pressures highlighted were income-related with 21 per cent of respondents not having disposable income, and 3 per cent cannot cover their expenses.

The Salvation Army Major Glenys Fairhurst, based in Queenstown, said the results of the survey would fit what they saw.

'There are still people in Queenstown who are struggling, especially those on low incomes, young people in minimum wage hospitality jobs and locals required to pay high rent. In the year to 30 September, we saw 62 families or individuals needing assistance with the basics of life. People who come to us are finding it hard to pay bills and afford basics because of pressure from the rising housing costs.'

Housing was identified as a concern for some residents, specifically the cost and availability of housing, the report says.

The issue appears to be twofold stemming from both an issue with development and growth and a high cost of living within the district.

'Residents mention the increase in tourist numbers has meant there is less accommodation available for permanent residents with properties leased as short terms rentals for tourists; this short-term rental arrangement is further exacerbating the high cost of housing within the district and reducing the housing stock available for residents.'

QLDC Chief Executive Mike Theelen said the survey provided insight into the state of the district as a whole.

'Previous surveys have traditionally focussed on how people feel specifically about council services, but this survey delves into how people feel about living here from a more holistic perspective.'

In early 2019, the council would continue the conversation with the community, to collectively consider how to tackle the big issues and needs highlighted in the report.

'Additionally, these findings will be used by council to review the services we provide to our local communities. This data will be a very important resource to support future planning and service delivery, so we will also ensure this feeds into our Ten Year Plans and other long-term planning documents.'