A new utilities general manager will join the Queenstown Lakes District Council team from early May.

Mark Kunath, presently the Auckland City Council $100 million CBD upgrade project manager, has been appointed to the new Council position, created as a result of the independent road inquiry undertaken last year.

The Roading Constructions Standard Report recommended the Council take more ownership of the roading activity by bringing an engineering management role back 'in-house', the Council endorsed that decision, QLDC chief executive Duncan Field said.

"The new role will involve an overview of roading activity that will be strongly aligned to the delivery of the outcomes expected by the community in the most cost effective and economic manner, Mr Kunath has the experience and credentials to deliver and I am delighted to welcome him to the team" Mr Field said.

Beginning his local government engineering career with the position of assistant engineer with the Wellington Regional Council in 1988, Mr Kunath has been employed by both the Rodney District Council and Auckland City Council in senior engineering and management positions before becoming a partner in Pope Kunath Limited in 2003, contracted fulltime to the Auckland City Council as CBD projects manager.

With an interested in viticulture and winemaking and a young family to consider Mr Kunath and his partner were attracted to both the change in lifestyle and the challenges offered by the new position.

"It's a privilege to be able to work in such a stunning environment and I'm looking forward serving the Council and the community in the best way I can",Mr Kunath said.

Mr Kunath will commence the new role from May 2.

ENDS

For further information please contact Meaghan Miller 441 0499

By: Kiri