Date: Thursday, 21 November 2013

Subject: Economic Advisors Appointed

QLDC has announced the appointment of economic advisers to produce an economic development strategy for the District.

Former Deutsche Bank Chief Economist, Ulf Schoefisch, and New Zealand consultancy firm MartinJenkins will collaborate to undertake an in-depth analysis of major issues for Queenstown Lakes District’s economic development.

Previous work has identified that the District’s economy is highly dependent on the tourism sector and could benefit from diversification.

Mayor Vanessa van Uden said the community had set the District’s economic aspirations through the Shaping our Future Economic Futures process. “Now we need to undertake some rigorous economic analysis of the opportunities for progressing these aspirations, and also to identify the current barriers to growth and diversification in our District.”

The work will include:
• Highlighting opportunities for industry diversification (including how to attract investment);
• Reviewing issues of housing affordability;
• Identifying strengths and weaknesses unique to the District’s economy;
• A review of how other resort towns have dealt with similar issues; and
• Targeted consultation with key stakeholders to test the analysis.

A draft strategy will be completed by March 2014 for consideration by the Council followed by wider consultation with the community.

ENDS

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