Public information sessions will be held at Arrowtown, Frankton and Wanaka to discuss the Queenstown Lakes District Council's draft Camp Ground Strategy.

"The Council has received a lot of interest from the community now that the draft is open for submission. We felt it would be helpful to hold some public sessions in order for people to ask questions and get clarification, before sitting down and writing a submission," Camp Ground steering group spokesman Councillor Rick Petitt said.

The meetings were an opportunity for the wider community to find out more about what was being proposed.

"Obviously this is an important issue for camp ground users but it is also a strategy with wide-ranging effects for the entire community. The group would also like to hear from the wider community, particularly where the strategy is proposing opening up camp ground areas as general reserve," Mr Petitt said.

From the community's perspective particularly, in Arrowtown and Glendhu Bay, it is important that they realise that this strategy sets in place the use of important, prime reserve land for the next 20-years.

"When my kids started at Arrowtown School there were less than 100 kids, now there are over 400 - in just over 10 years. People may feel today there is no demand for more reserve land but we need to be thinking about the future," Mr Petitt said.

In response to feedback and in order to give people ample opportunity to write submissions after attending the information sessions, the Council had chosen to extend the submission period.

"Submissions will now close on December 23, with a hearing expected to take place in late January," Mr Petitt said.

The information sessions will take place at:

• Arrowtown on Saturday, November 13 at the Athenaeum Hall 10am-12pm.
• Frankton on Saturday, November 13 at the Frankton Church Hall 1pm-3pm.
• Wanaka on Saturday, November 20 at the Wanaka Rugby Club 10am-12pm.

ENDS

For further information please contact Rick Petitt 03 442 8550 ah or 0274 362 379.

By: Kiri