Shaping Our Future
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Find Out How
We provide a recognised process to analyse big issues & create community action
We provide a recognised process to analyse big issues & create community action
Since 2011 we have engaged with our community on a diverse range of topics that were identified as important to you. Over 2000 community members have spent over 4000 volunteer hours at forums, on taskforces or as members of our Steering Group.
Following our process of public forum, volunteer taskforce, strategy report, public forum and presentation of recommendations we have engaged with and discussed the areas of Events (2011 and 2016), Energy, Economic Futures (2012 and 2015), Innovation, Upper Clutha Conservation, Visitor and Tourism, Transport and worked with the Glenorchy and Arrowtown communities to create long term visioning.
Have an idea for a forum? Please get in touch with us, we are community driven and welcome feedback and ideas.
For more information including final reports, minutes and updates please choose the forum you are interested in below. Remember to join Shaping our Future if you want to keep up to date with latest developments!
Anita Golden
Press Release from Shaping our Future Inc
Community driven freshwater outcomes to be discussed at forum - 9-09-2019
The second forum is an opportunity to provide feedback on the vision and recommendations. Feedback is also sought on the community’s views on ‘user pays’ or water metering and priorities for research.
Anita Golden
Update: March 2019
E.coli outbreaks, lake snow, algae blooms, flooding, pollution, water restrictions and the quality of our drinking water - 2018 was a summer of water concerns in our district. This continues in 2019 with E.coli report twice in Queenstown Bay by January.
Shaping our Future has two teams of dedicated volunteers working in Queenstown and the Upper Clutha understanding, expanding and drafting a community driven freshwater report, based on the information we gathered from over 200 of you at our freshwater forum in 2018.
Its a complex task, there are a large number of different elements impacting our our waterways. What is clear and coming through is that our freshwater is important to our community and we need to understand what is happening, where, the impacts and the need for a co-ordinated, comprehensive plan with bold strategic leadership to ensure our water is available, safe and healthy for future generations.
Now is the time to pull together as a community and direct the future of freshwater for our district.
Anita Golden
Queenstown
Wakatipu High School, 6th May 2019, 6pm - 9pm
Wanaka
Lake Wanaka Centre, 7th May 2019, 6pm - 9pm
Email: executive@shapingourfuture.org.nz or phone 021 222 1231
Our understanding of the impacts of climate change within the Queenstown Lakes continues to grow - whether thinking of changes to winter snow; of more extreme and frequent flooding events on the one hand, or of longer dry spells or even droughts on the other; threats to water quality and catchments; vulnerability to slips and soil erosion; changes to food production; transport; construction; energy systems; and a myriad of potential ecosystem impacts.
(You can read more about the expected impact on our region here.)
Anita Golden
The “Wakatipu Way to Go” group are teaming up with Shaping Our Future and Frankton Community Association to co-host an event from 6.00pm-7.00pm on Wednesday 17 July at the Queenstown Event Centre.
Come along to hear about progress on the plan so far from the project team and how the ideas proposed could change the way you live, work and play in Frankton by 2048.
If you are able to join us please register your interest through Shaping our Future here or on the Facebook event.
If you are unable to make the event, you’ll be able to provide feedback from 27 June-26 July 2019 at letstalk.qldc.govt.nz/Frankton-masterplan. You’ll find all details along with a short survey asking what you think we’ve got it right or if there is anything missing.
Let us know your views on this aspirational plan to transform Te Kirikiri / Frankton. Help us create a legacy to leave for future generations that reflects the community’s needs and vision.
The Wakatipu Way to Go group is a formal collaborative partnership of Queenstown Lakes District Council, the New Zealand Transport Agency and Otago Regional Council. It recognises that all three agencies have an important role in driving change and that by working together and integrating projects the best possible outcomes can be reached.
Anita Golden
MEDIA RELEASE FROM SHAPING OUR FUTURE INC, QUEENSTOWN LAKES DISTRICT:
1 May 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Shaping our Future Climate Change Challenge Forum
Shaping Our Future is inviting the Queenstown Lakes District community to come together to confront the challenges presented by Climate Change. Two evening forums, one in Queenstown on Monday, 6th May and the other in Wanaka on Tuesday, 7th May, will challenge the community to share their concerns, priorities, and ideas.
“We know climate change will impact us,” said AJ Mason from Shaping Our Future, “and we know we have opportunities to impact it. What we need to know from our community is how important they think climate change is, what options and opportunities we have, and how we should prioritise.”
Both forums will also host the Otago Museum’s Far from Frozen exhibit, a travelling showcase for locals to discover the impact of climate change on us and our planet, including the role of the deep south and Antarctica. It includes interactive displays, demonstrations and virtual reality experiences that are all designed to communicate the science behind climate change.
The forum is independently facilitated in ‘world café’ small group discussion. Shaping our Future uses a process of community forums and online input, volunteer taskforces and strategy reports. The process is inclusive and designed to give the people of the Queenstown Lakes a collective voice in shaping the future.
Event Details:
Queenstown, Monday 6th May, 6pm at Wakatipu High School
Wanaka, Tuesday 7th May, 6pm at Lake Wanaka Centre
RSVP: executive@shapingourfuture.org.nz
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Shaping our Future Executive Anita Golden executive@shapingourfuture.org.nz +64 21 2221231
Shaping our Future Board Member AJ Mason +64 27 4325560
About Shaping Our Future Incorporated
A process designed to use collective community expertise to build consensus and create a great future for our district. Shaping Our Future was instigated in December 2010 and was incorporated as a charitable society in January 2013. In 2012 following a district wide visioning process, it established a draft vision incorporating a series of priorities. Its forums and taskforces are directed to work towards thevision and connect with the priorities.
The process of any given forum on any given subject begins with public forums and online discussions which progress to establishing volunteer taskforces to work through issues and provide recommendations. Recommendations are finally presented to local and national agencies as required. Since 2011 Shaping our Future has completed 11 forum topics. To view the 2018 Shaping our Future Annual Report and previous forum reportswww.shapingourfuture.org.nz or join us on Facebook
Anita Golden
Your views have been submitted as part of the Shaping our Future submissions on:
ORC Biodiversity Strategy 2018
Anita Golden
Over 200 of you shared your views at forum or online about freshwater in our District. The raw data is now available for Queenstown and Wanaka. We will form a volunteer taskforce over the next couple of weeks to further develop this information.
Anita Golden
The views we gather at public forum are used to inform a number of different key stakeholders, agencies (eg ORC, QLDC) and also other community groups and projects.
There are two additional key areas the result will inform for the Upper Clutha:
Simone Langhans SABER CULTURAL: SAfeguarding Biodiversity and Ecosystem seRvices by integrating CULTURAL values in freshwater management
Queenstown - we have an opportunity to leverage off the findings and work being done in the Upper Clutha - lets make the most of it!!
Check our Popular News items for updates on our previous reports including Transport and Arrowtown Community Visioning
Anita Golden
In March Stage 2 of the District Plan was released for public consultation. This included Chapter 29 on Transport. It is encouraging to see the goals and objectives of the chapter mirror the views that were expressed by our community within the Transport Reports (2017). Shaping our Future submitted on the District Plan including:
Relief sought:
a. Amend the general framework in the objectives, policies and rules to the following effect:
a. Promoting and requiring integrated strategic planning between current and future transport needs and land use planning, and having a strong, robust plan for the future. This was the second recommendation of the Transport Report and has largely gone unheeded.
b. Requiring provision of improved, safe and separated commuter tracks (active modes) e.g. upgrade of Frankton to Queenstown trail to commuter status.
c. Promoting and requiring an innovative approach to transport – having a transport system that is flexible to future technology options and integrated into the strategic plan.
Anita Golden
In March Stage 2 of the District Plan was released for public consultation. This included Chapter 29 on Transport. It is encouraging to see the goals and objectives of the chapter mirror the views that were expressed by our community within the Transport Reports (2017). Shaping our Future submitted on the District Plan including:
Relief sought:
a. Amend the general framework in the objectives, policies and rules to the following effect:
a. Promoting and requiring integrated strategic planning between current and future transport needs and land use planning, and having a strong, robust plan for the future. This was the second recommendation of the Transport Report and has largely gone unheeded.
b. Requiring provision of improved, safe and separated commuter tracks (active modes) e.g. upgrade of Frankton to Queenstown trail to commuter status.
c. Promoting and requiring an innovative approach to transport – having a transport system that is flexible to future technology options and integrated into the strategic plan.
Anita Golden
Shaping our Future continue to work with the key stakeholders to make sure your views from the Queenstown Transport Report (2017) are heard, remembered and actioned.
We have held workshops with the QLDC councillors and senior management and the Queenstown Transport Governance Group. Action is slow but it is there!
It is encouraging to see the Queenstown Integrated Transport Strategy adopted in June 2017. Included in the recommended programme in line with your views was
Public Transport, active transport, park and ride and upgrades to key commuter roads is included. Read the full recommended programme (page 73)
Anita Golden
In March 2018 QLDC consulted on their proposed Stage 2 of the District Plan. Included was a variation on land use for the Wakatipu Basin.
The area surrounding Arrowtown was rezoned as Wakatipu Basin Rural Amenity.
The community told us that they wanted to maintain Arrowtown as a Village, surrounded by green space. The proposed change would protect the green areas around Arrowtown with a minimum subdivision size of 80hectares. Read the full Shaping our Future submission supporting the change (with the exception of Jopp St).
Anita Golden
Learn about the current regulatory world of Freshwater!
A summary of current regulation updates on Water Quality, Regional Policy Statement, Arrow River catchment and Wakatipu Basin Aquifer, Cardrona River and Wanaka Basin Cardrona Gravel Aquifer and Residual flows impacting on the Queenstown Lakes District.
Anita Golden
Great progress in the Air section recommendations of the Upper Clutha Transport Report. Queenstown Airport will be consulting with the community later in 2018 to inform their future masterplan for Wanaka Airport.
Upper Clutha Transport - Air Recommendation
Develop Wanaka Airport into a ‘centre for aviation excellence’ which contributes positively to the Upper Clutha economy and meets the transport needs of residents and visitors. In order to do this:
• It is essential that The Upper Clutha is adequately and openly represented on any governance/ownership group to ensure The Upper Clutha’s interests are represented.
• QLDC works with Queenstown Airport Corporation on a management/ ownership/lease model for Wanaka Airport.
• Wanaka Airport works with Queenstown Airport to complement and collaborate rather than compete.
• Land is secured to future proof the airport for the next 50+ years.
Anita Golden
Ever wondered what happens at a Shaping our Future Forum? This short video is from our first Arrowtown public forum.
We bring our community members together to discuss your vision for the future. We use world cafe style which gives every person in the room a voice, not just the loudest voice. We workshop the key issues in small groups and look at possible solutions. This information forms the basis for our volunteer taskforces to develop their strategic reports.
Some of the key things we ask:
1. The biggest challenges facing us today (priorities)
2. Look more closely at the challenges - where do we want to be in the future ie what does success look like? What are the critical driving influences and what are some of the possible solutions to bring us closer to our vision for the future.
Anita Golden
MEDIA RELEASE FROM SHAPING OUR FUTURE INC, QUEENSTOWN LAKES DISTRICT:
5 March 2018
Shaping our Future turns the spotlight on water - Read the full media release
Anita Golden
The quality of our lakes and rivers, monitoring and future use were highlighted as areas of importance in the Upper Clutha Conservation Report, Upper Clutha Transport Report, Arrowtown and Glenorchy Community Reports and Queenstown Transport. ORC are currently changing their Water Plan. Please see the information below on how you can get involved.
We are developing a change to Otago’s Regional Plan Water (Water Plan) to manage the amount of water in the Clutha/Mata-au, its lakes and main upper catchment tributaries. This includes setting minimum flows and allocation limits for the Clutha/Mata-au, Kawarau and Hawea Rivers and levels and allocation limits for Lakes Wakatipu, Wanaka, Hawea, Dunstan and Roxburgh.
Before we notify a proposed plan change to the Water Plan, we are holding a series of three community consultation sessions over the coming months to develop the plan change. The feedback we receive from the community at these sessions will help us develop the plan change.
The first sessions are between 22 November and 5 December 2017, where we will be asking what’s important for you about the Clutha/Mata-au, Kawarau and Hawea Rivers and Lakes Wakatipu, Wanaka, Hawea, Dunstan and Roxburgh and the availability of water for diverse uses and values. At the start of each session there will be a brief presentation, and following that ORC staff will be available to talk one to one with people.
SESSION DETAILS:
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Queenstown Wednesday 22 November 2017 Copthorne Lakefront Hotel 1.30-3.30pm or 6.30-8.30pm
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Wanaka Thursday 23 November 2017 Lake Wanaka Centre 1.30-3.30pm or 6.30-8.30pm
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Cromwell Monday 27 November 2017 The Gate 6 Barry Avenue 6.30-8.30pm
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Alexandra Tuesday 28 November 2017 The Cellar Door 1.30-3.30pm or 6.30-8.30pm |
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Roxburgh Monday 4 December 2017 Roxburgh Memorial Hall 6.30-8.30pm
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Balclutha Tuesday 5 December 2017 Rosebank Lodge 1.30-3.30pm or 6.30-8.30pm
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If you can’t attend a session, you can check out the information online and submit your feedback there from 22 November or by post (Private Bag 1954, Dunedin 9054). To account for the upcoming holiday season, feedback closes at
5pm on Friday 19 January 2018.
For more information go to www.orc.govt.nz/clutha, call 0800 474 082, or email clutha@orc.govt.nz.
Your feedback on what is important to you will help us develop options for the plan change. We will consult with you again on these options, and again on a preferred option, before we notify a plan change to the Water Plan.
Anita Golden
We have completed the Upper Clutha Transport Report following two public forums in 2015 and 2016. Shaping our Future and members of the taskforce are now working on the recommendations with the relevant agencies. If you would like to get in involved please get in touch!
Massive thank you to all the taskforce members (volunteers!) for their time and effort over the past two years in developing the vision and recommendations on behalf of the community.
Anita Golden
One of the recommendations included in the Glenorchy Community Visioning report was to investigate the establishment of community gardens. Come along to the Glenorchy Hall on 23rd September to discuss further! Details below!
Anita Golden
We invite Arrowtown residents and those with an interest in the Arrowtown Community to join us at our second forum.on the future of Arrowtown. We will be joined by QLDC representatives seeking feedback for the long term plan.
The draft report was prepared by a volunteer taskforce following our original forum in late 2015. The information gathered at forum, including the key themes of Growth, Heritage, Character, Community and Environment, form the basis of the report setting out a long term vision and key recommendations towards achieving the vision.
We will be providing a light supper including pizza from Terra Mia Arrowtown (Thank you!)
When: Monday 16th October 2017, 6pm - 9pm
Where: St John's Presbyterian Church, Berkshire St, Arrowtown
RSVP: executive@shapingourfuture.org.nz
or phone Anita on 021 222 1231
The draft report is now available for review here. We ask that you read prior to attending the forum and bring a copy with you for reference!
If you are not able to make the forum but would like to provide feedback please use our online survey.
Additional Appendix information:
Anita Golden
Our taskforce has been working on their draft report for the Arrowtown Community following our first community forum in 2015. We invite you to join us for our second forum to provide feedback on the report and the recommendations included.
When: Monday 16th October 2017
Where: St John's Presbyterian Church Hall, 26 Berkshire Street, Arrowtown
Time: 6pm - 9pm
RSVP: Arrowtown Community Forum 2017
The full report will be available shortly.
Anita Golden
The Queenstown Transport Report is now finalised. Over the coming weeks we will be meeting with the key stakeholders to present and start actioning the recommendations.
Anita Golden
We invite you to join us to provide feedback on the Shaping our Future Upper Clutha Transport Draft Report.
The purpose of our second forum is to get community buy in/consensus on the proposed vision and recommendations. We encourage you to read the full report (Executive Summary and Recommendations included below) prior to attending the forum.
Please feel free to forward this invitation to any of your contacts.
Venue: Lake Wanaka Centre, 6.30pm - 9.30pm
Date: Thursday 4th May, 6.30pm - 9.30pm
RSVP: Anita Golden at executive@shapingourfuture.org.nz or phone 021 222 1231
If you are not able to attend but would like to provide feedback please fill in our short survey available here.
The Upper Clutha Transport taskforce have worked through the information gathered at public forum, held discussions with local experts and considered the Queenstown Transport report. This report outlines the long term vision and recommendations towards achieving the vision.
The Upper Clutha is experiencing a period of growth in population, visitor numbers and development. By being proactive now to plan for our future we can ensure infrastructure needs keeps up with growth. Current projections for the Upper Clutha are:
Overall Vision and Land Transport:
“The Queenstown Lakes District has a functional, innovative, integrated, multi-modal and sustainable transport system that supports a thriving, healthy community and enhances the visitor experience.
Implementing this vision, the Upper Clutha will be open to change and new technologies, giving priority to initiatives that enhance connectivity and the character of the area."
Air Transport sub vision:
“Wanaka airport is a destination for high yielding innovative businesses creating a sustainable aviation hub for the region”
Water Use – Recreational and Commercial sub vision:
“To ensure the best possible user/visitor lake/waterway experience whilst preserving the natural beauty, water quality and environmental integrity of our most valuable asset.”
The following is a summary of the key recommendations proposed as steps towards achieving the vision. Further detail and information on each of the recommendations is available within the full report.
Read the Full Upper Clutha Transport Report
Anita Golden
Following the work done by the Shaping Our Future forum, and in consultation with stakeholders, the Council commissioned a Draft Economic Strategy. The intention was to identify possible ways to help grow, strengthen and diversify the local economy, providing benefits for all our small communities as well as the district as a whole.
In 2014 the Queenstown Lakes District released a draft Economic Development Strategy document. Shaping our Future held a forum in Queenstown and Wanaka and submitted the community views on the report.
Anita Golden
In 2012 the Shaping our Future Economic Futures Report was finalised and presented to the Queenstown Lakes District Council. The key recommendation was for funding to further investigate a model for an Economic Futures Agency (EFA). This funding was forthcoming and in 2014 the Martin Jenkins Report was presented to the public for feedback.
Anita Golden
The events environment in the Queenstown Lakes District has evolved since the original report in 2012. In 2016 we once again looked to the future for the industry. The forum included short presentations from Shaping our Future and the QLDC Events Office.
We invited all those involved in organising, participating, hosting or funding events and community members with an interest in events to attend and share their views.
Shaping our Future is in the process of forming a taskforce to once again look to the future of Events.
2016 EVENTS FORUM PRESENTATION
Anita Golden
Shaping our Future first held a District-wide events forum in 2011. A volunteer Events Taskforce looked into the issues and opportunities identified in the public forums and published an Events Report, which identified a range of recommendations, including one to QLDC for the establishment of a Lakes District Events office.
Anita Golden
Over 120 people attended Shaping our Future Transport forum in Queenstown and Wanaka. A volunteer taskforce is currently working through the raw data to form a long term vision and key recommendations for the future of transport in Wanaka.
Anita Golden
In August 2015 over 120 Arrowtown community members came together to discuss their future vision for the community. A volunteer taskforce is currently meeting regularly to develop a long term vision and recommendations to present back to the community based on the views at the original forum.
Anita Golden
Following the original forum in April 2015 the taskforce proposes the following vision for the Glenorchy Community and 9 key recommendations to achieving the vision.
Have your say on the report by joining us on Tuesday November 9th 2016 at 6pm. RSVP: executive@shapingourfuture.org.nz
“A unique community that fosters and embraces individuality and innovation, encourages resilience and promotes community vitality and collaboration. The Glenorchy community has a collective strong voice that advocates for positive change.
Glenorchy has infrastructure to support a thriving boutique local economy in keeping with the rural landscape, actively protects and enhances the natural environment, collectively works towards providing their own resources (self-sufficiency).”
Anita Golden
The Queenstown Transport Draft Report will be presented at community forum, we invite all members of our community to attend:
Date: Monday 7th November at 5.30pm
Venue: Queenstown Memorial Hall
RSVP: Email Anita or phone 021 222 1231.
This is your opportunity to have your say in the future of Lakes District. The taskforce were guided by the information you supplied at our original forum.
At the centre of the key recommendations in the report is the establishment a new cross agency Transport governance group that will be tasked with putting robust district wide, long term planning and funding solutions in place.
Pedestrianisation of CBD’s, a focus on affordable and accessible public transport, commuter cycling and walking trails all feature.
Protecting and developing key transport corridors and a focus on ‘multi-modal’ transport solutions are proposed to ensure our community stays a desirable place to live, work and visit in the future.
Adopting creative transport solutions – (monorail anyone?), embracing new technology and addressing residents desire to live and work within their community are included - all funded by visitor levies, congestion charging, central government, anyone but our little ratepayer base.
Queenstown Transport Forum Report
Anita Golden
The final report for the Visitor and Tourism industry includes 7 key recommendations towards achieving a long term vision:
Louise Vicente
Your vision for Conservation in the Upper Clutha is:
"We, the Upper Clutha community, know, value and care for our area’s fresh waters, clean air, indigenous biodiversity and landscapes, and accept the shared responsibility to work together to ensure these are sustained and enhanced.
Our freshwaters and air are of unspoiled quality. The full natural range of indigenous biodiversity and ecosystems are present and flourishing.
The Upper Clutha is renowned for its landscapes expressing its unique and diverse natural character. The perpetuation of these natural resources is recognised as fundamental to our well-being and prosperity and as an integral part of our everyday lives."
Included in the final report are 5 key recommendations to achieving the vision for conservation.
Louise Vicente
Completed in 2013 the Shaping our Future Energy Report focuses on the areas of greatest influence on our standard of living - Stationary Energy and Transport Energy. Stationary Energy is what we use in buildings – mostly electricity in NZ but also wood fuels and natural gas. Transport Energy, which is used for daily commuting and to support the wider movement of people and goods into the district. Transport energy is almost exclusively from fossil fuels. The final report includes key recommendations and a long term vision for energy in our district.
PHONE - 021 222 1231
EMAIL - executive@shapingourfuture.org.nz
Press Release: Upper Clutha Freshwater - Press Release from Shaping our Future Inc
© Shaping Our Future 2019