QLDC Officials Heavily Revised Independent Review of Queenstown Road Project

Introduction

The Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is once again in the spotlight following revelations that senior managers extensively edited an independent review of the Whakatipu Transport Programme Alliance (Kā Huanui a Tāhuna). This alliance is responsible for the critical roading projects intended to improve the transportation framework within the picturesque but congested town of Queenstown. The contractor, Dave Brash, was commissioned to conduct a thorough review of these projects to capture 'lessons learnt' and provide invaluable insights to the Council. However, what transpired has raised eyebrows among local residents and officials alike, as the review underwent significant alterations before reaching its final form.

The Review Process

Contractor Dave Brash submitted his initial draft of the review to QLDC chief executive Mike Theelen on February 19. This submission kick-started a sequence of revisions, with five additional versions circulated among Brash, Theelen, Council’s infrastructure and property head Tony Avery, and procurement manager Geoff Mayman. The review's journey through these hands brought forth numerous changes, which were ostensibly made to correct facts, identify errors, and add missing information. Nevertheless, the exact nature and extent of these changes remain a subject of controversy, as the original draft was never disclosed to the public. The absence of the initial document prevents any independent assessment of what was modified or redacted, leaving a cloud of uncertainty over the entire review process.

Reasons Behind the Redactions

The Council has provided justifications for some of the redactions, citing the need to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs and to protect future negotiations with contractors. This rationale is relatively standard in complex local government dealings where sensitive information could impact ongoing or upcoming projects. Moreover, some personal information about the contractor, Dave Brash, was redacted, attributing this to privacy considerations. However, these explanations have not entirely placated critics who argue that such extensive alterations undermine the review's independence and transparency.

Financial and Governance Aspects

One of the focal points in this unfolding narrative is the financial remuneration for the review. Brash was compensated $51,700 for his efforts. This significant figure underscores the Council’s commitment to extracting valuable insights from the review, but it simultaneously magnifies the ramifications of any perceived interference or lack of transparency. The lack of the initial draft also sparked discussions during the meeting of the Council’s Audit, Finance, and Risk committee, further underlining the governance issues at stake.

The Project: Scope and Budgets

The Whakatipu Transport Programme Alliance is no small endeavor; it includes projects such as the Queenstown arterial road stage one, with a massive budget of $128 million. The financial dynamics of the project reveal an interesting trajectory. Initially, ratepayer contributions were set at $36.5 million in 2021. However, this figure saw a dramatic escalation to $74.2 million, reflecting both the scale of the project and the financial pressures on the Council. This sharp increase in local ratepayer burden adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing debate about the review and its implications.

Conclusion: What's Next?

As the dust settles, the residents of Queenstown and stakeholders in the project are left pondering several questions. How many of the purported 'facts' uncovered by Brash were modified or removed? Will the true extent of the alterations ever be revealed? And perhaps most crucially, how does this episode impact future projects and stakeholder trust in the transparency and accountability of the QLDC? As it stands, these questions remain unresolved, casting a long shadow over what could have been a straightforward review aimed at shaping the future of Queenstown's transport infrastructure. For now, the community waits and watches, hoping for more clarity and accountability from their elected officials and public servants.