The hearing of the proposed establishment of a Council Controlled Organisation to take over the Queenstown Lakes District regulatory contract will be held on February 23, QLDC chief executive Duncan Field confirmed.

Last year the council notified its intention to establish a Council Controlled Organisation to deliver the service.

The current contract with regulatory contractor CivicCorp expires on 30 June 2008. To provide a seamless change, the council has entered into negotiations to take over the contract prior to the expiry date.

In total 10 submissions were received with nine in favour of a CCO and one opposed.

"Whatever the outcome of the hearing, a decision will go forward to the next full council meeting, which will be held at Queenstown in early March," Mr Field said.

The CCO hearing, to be held at the Queenstown Council Chamber from 10am, would be open to the public.

Meanwhile, on the basis that the new company could be established, the council had called for expressions of interest from individuals keen to become directors.

Potential directors had one more week to get expressions of interest to the chief executive.

ENDS

By: Sarah