The Council has announced the membership of Urban Design Panels for Wanaka and Queenstown, QLDC district secretary Jo Schmelz said.

In January this year the Council called for comment on a discussion paper, exploring existing shortcomings in the Council's ability to improve the urban design of buildings. In March the Wanaka Community Board resolved to establish an urban design panel, while an urban design forum at Queenstown reached the conclusion that a panel for the Wakatipu would also be a positive move.

"The Council called for nominations in August and since that time we have now established the panels and held initial meetings. On average it is expected five panellists will sit at any one time," Ms Schmelz said.

Members were appointed for a year with the ability to serve for a maximum of three consecutive years.

"Initially the panels will consider only Council capital projects, with the intention of introducing other projects in the future," Ms Schmelz said.

The confirmed panellists are:

Wanaka

Vicki Jones - QLDC strategy and planning manager
Tim Dennis  - Community
Sara Zwart - Landscape Architect & Architect
Anne Steven - Landscape Architect
Anne Salmond - Architect
Hamish Wixon - Architect
Alan Dippie-Property

Queenstown

Vicki Jones - QLDC strategy and planning manager
Jewell Cassells - Community
Peter Fleming - Community
Ben O'Malley - Property
Nick Karlovsky - Architect and Urban Design qualifications
Louis Alfeld - Architect and Urban Designer qualifications
Brett Thomson  (Queenstown Landscape Architect)
Wayne Foley -Property
Max Wild - Architect
Tim Heath - Landscape Architect (and Architect)
Urban Designers - to be called on as and when required

James Lundy
William Thresher

All other candidates have been invited to be on the wider pool of panellists to be called on to assist when required. Those who have confirmed that they would be happy to do so:

Paddy Baxter  (Queenstown landscape architect)
Janelle Aston  (Queenstown resident)
Neil Aitken  (Wanaka)

ENDS

For further information contact Jo Schmelz 03 441 0470

By: Kiri