The appointment of a further two senior planners to the Queenstown Lakes District Council completes a strong team to manage the council's strategic planning, QLDC strategy and planning manager Vicki Jones said.

"We are delighted to have appointed senior policy planner Gemma Davis from Perth, who has experience in both Ireland and Australia; and Queenstown senior policy planner Alyson Schuler, formerly employed by CivicCorp," Ms Jones said.

Ms Davis took up her position last week, while Ms Schuler will join the council from the start of February. The remainder of the five-strong team included strategic planner Johan Bergman and senior policy analyst (housing) Scott Figenshow.

"With council assuming the responsibility of policy from CivicCorp and bringing management of the District Plan back ?in house? the formation of a strong team of senior planners was critical. The team is well placed to manage this council?s policy process," Ms Jones said.

Part of that process would include competitively tendering some of the bigger planning projects. "As we have done in the past for projects like the community plans, the Growth Management Strategy and the Affordable Housing Strategy," Ms Jones said.

Other functions to be carried out by the team included management of the urban design panels, Plan Changes, community consultation, monitoring, Environment Court proceedings, statistics, dwelling capacity, residential issues and affordable housing.

The planning team was a welcome addition to the council's function, QLDC chief executive Duncan Field said.

"There is nothing more fundamental to the role of this council than determining the strategic direction of the community. It is totally appropriate that support to councillors for this function comes from employees," Mr Field said.

ENDS

For further information please contact Vicki Jones 03 441 0499.

By: Sarah