The Queenstown Lakes District Council is seeking feedback on options to address the definition of visitor accommodation in the District Plan.

The issue stirred heated public debate last year when it was identified that people renting out their properties short term required a resource consent under the District Plan definition.

"We have stepped back from this issue and taken a long and thorough look at the possible options," QLDC planning and strategy manager Vicki Jones said.

At the end of the day the council needed to consider if it was fair and reasonable to require homeowners to obtain resource consent for visitor accommodation for a limited number of days a year. It also needed to ensure that whatever was proposed was legally sound.

"We are now ready to take the options to the community for feedback," Ms Jones said.

An 'issues and options' paper had been prepared , together with an executive summary and a feedback form, which were all accessible on the home page of the council website www.qldc.govt.nz or at council offices.

The four options which had been developed ranged from change nothing but use discretion through to initiating a Plan Change to allow residential units to be rented, without a resource consent for 28 days a year.

"The council has reached the view that the option of permitting up to 28 days without consent is a preferred option but we are very keen to receive feedback from the community on all four options," MsJones said.

The option was preferred for the following reasons:

• Short term renting of homes would not need consent but would have a 'permitted activity exemption'.
• This option would see minimal (if any) compliance costs for the homeowner.
• A 'permitted activity exemption' meant the short term rental of homes was legally sound.

The community had until September 29 to give the council feedback on the options.

"All home owners in the district are potentially affected by this so I urge the community to get informed on this issue and have a say," Ms Jones said.

ENDS

For further information please contact Scott Figenshow 03 441 0499.

By: Sarah