Streamlined Council services coming to Wanaka CBD

Date:

Aug 3, 2018

A single point of access to Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) services in the Wanaka CBD is intended to greatly improve the customer’s experience.  The Council is making some changes to the service it offers the community through an adjustment in office configuration over the next few months.

At present customers are redirected between two offices at Ardmore Street and Reece Crescent. A single office location at Ardmore Street is intended to address this inconvenience and optimise the customer experience for Upper Clutha residents.

QLDC Property Director Richard Pope confirmed that the programme to achieve this goal will begin with a refurbishment of the Ardmore Street office.

“To provide an optimal customer experience and create a better environment, we’re starting by updating facilities at Ardmore Street. This will require the office to be closed temporarily from early September. During this temporary closure all enquiries will be managed from our office at 33 Reece Crescent and Customer Services capacity increased at that location to maintain levels of service for the public,” said Mr Pope.

Expansion of the Ardmore Street office will include the placement of two relocatable offices at the rear of the building, and the demolition of the old St John building to compensate for any reduction on car parking capacity as a result of these relocatable offices.

“Once the new office hub is completed, all staff from Reece Crescent will move into the site. We expect the office to reopen and all services to be delivered from Ardmore Street during December,” confirmed Mr Pope.

QLDC Mayor Jim Boult acknowledged this was the start of a longer, exciting journey for the Upper Clutha community.

“Council staff are currently progressing with the Wanaka Masterplan programme which we expect to be a big delivery element in the 2021-2024 Ten Year Plan. As part of that longer term vision for an increasingly vibrant Wanaka CBD we have long anticipated a dedicated single, Wanaka-based Council office,” said Mayor Boult.

“This interim step brings more council services into a single, accessible location and will make it easier for the community to do all their council business in one place. So you can register your dog, buy your boat ramp pass, and submit your consent application all in one place – whilst charging your electric vehicle outside on Ardmore Street!”

He asked the community to be patient while the change was made and for those that are computer savvy to consider engaging the Council online on its website where a number of online services were now available www.qldc.govt.nz.  

Although plans are still being finalised, the new Ardmore Street office hub will result in a minor reduction in spaces in the car park behind the office, accessed via Brownston Street. Options are currently being explored to provide additional car parking capacity with a particular focus on the busy summer peak period.

A focus area for the Wanaka Masterplan will also be providing support for alternative transport modes reducing the pressure for car parking within the CBD. This is likely to include improved cycling and walking networks, more bike racks, and e-bike charging stations.

The Reece Crescent office will close permanently when the lease ends in December. Specific dates for office closures will be advised via the QLDC website and social media, at office locations and through local media.

ENDS

For more information please contact QLDC Communications via communications@qldc.govt.nz or call 03 441 1802