Have your say on the future home for Council services

There’s been a lot of talk about a potential new Civic Administration Building in Tāhuna Queenstown over the years. And while previous Councils have committed to a preference for a Town Centre location and that has been signalled in various consultations and Long Term Plans, we’ve never specifically asked the community what they think about where it should be.

Why are we talking about this now?

Fair question. It might not seem like the ideal time to be having this conversation with so much uncertainty and rising costs. But there’s good reason. We’re in the process of developing the Long Term Plan for 2027-2037, so it’s a good time to check in to help Councillors decide next steps and any associated budget requirements.

Council is open-minded about what that looks like, whether it’s a new build on Council land or leasing a new or existing building. The most important thing is that our services are accessible and delivered in a cost-effective way.

Where could the Council office go?

We’ve done some work to better understand the options for where a Civic Administration Building could go in Whakatipu and how it could be delivered. If you’re interested in diving into that detail, you can download the full ‘Location Assessment’ report from the ‘document library’ links on the right of this page 👉

Rather than presenting some specific options, we’d like to know what YOU think would work best.

To help get you thinking, we’ve imagined some possible future-scenarios. And while it’s fair to say we’re focusing in on Queenstown Town Centre or Frankton / Five Mile – all other feedback and ideas are welcome and encouraged.

We want as much feedback as possible so make sure you chat about it with family, friends and colleagues and encourage them to take part too.

Imagine being able to access Council services right in Te Kirikiri Frankton or Five Mile.

As the district’s transport gateway, this area is more convenient for people living in the Eastern and Southern Corridors – and for residents traveling in from outside Whakatipu. The area has seen huge growth, so we’re all still tackling congestion and parking challenges. But the NZTA Frankton Intersection and Bus Hub improvements project is complete, so moving around is easier. And public transport is more reliable and frequent, so more people are choosing to leave the car at home.

There’s a Civic Administration Building located near Queenstown Events Centre, which is an important anchor point for the whole community. You’ll be able to drop in to chat about your building consent while the kids are at swimming lessons or after you’ve hit the gym.

It might not reflect our civic roots, which have traditionally been found in the Queenstown Town Centre. But for many it’s closer so perhaps easier to attend public meetings, connect with elected members or access Council and related community services – including those who live across the wider district.

This building might have been a new facility built on Council-owned land near the Events Centre or perhaps we leased a new or existing building at Five Mile. Either way, having such a large local workforce in Te Kirikiri Frankton is well aligned with its role as a centre for commercial activity and other services for the wider region.

Now imagine the Queenstown Town Centre in years to come.

It’s the vibrant heart of Tāhuna Queenstown. We’ve finished transforming the streets into shared, people-friendly spaces. It’s compact, walkable, diverse, authentic, accessible, and locals and visitors enjoy spending time in there because the built environment complements the natural environment. Parking can still be a challenge, but the arterial road has made it easier to get into town and public transport is more frequent and reliable, taking the pressure off a bit.

There’s a Civic Administration Building located in town. This isn’t just an office for Whakatipu-based Council staff – it’s a shared anchor point for the community, creating a sense of pride for residents, staff and elected members. It’s a place that gives a nod to our past, maintaining historic civic identity. And it fosters connection, trust, access to services, participation in local decision‑making and community life.

This building might have been a new facility built on Council-owned land at Stanley Street or perhaps we leased a new or existing building in town. Either way, retaining such a large workforce in town is helping to support local cafes and businesses, especially in those shoulder seasons when there are fewer visitors.

And while the town centre may be a bit further away from the fast-growing Eastern and Southern Corridors, its role as the civic heart of the district brings wider benefits that matter for everyone.

Got another vision?

That’s fine too. We want to know what your preferred location is for a home for Council services, and why.

Are there any plans in place for Wānaka?

Yes, a potential future facility for the Wānaka-Upper Clutha community will also need to be considered as the community grows.

If you’re Wānaka-based, how do you feel about the current location of the Council offices? Do they meet your needs? Can you see value in co-locating them with other facilities such as a library or a wider community and culture precinct in the future? Or is shortening the journey from the Upper Clutha to get to the Queenstown-based offices more important? This feedback will help us consider appropriate next steps.

What about all the reform?

Local government is facing reform headwinds – that’s no secret. And it is creating a lot of uncertainty about how councils will operate in the future. But uncertainty isn’t a reason to pause planning. If anything, it makes it more important to ensure we remain future‑focused and plan flexible, scalable workplaces and community facilities now to we ensure we’re ready to adapt to what’s ahead.

How to get involved

The easiest way to provide feedback is to complete the online form below.

Or you can choose one of these other ways to get involved:

• Email:letstalk@qldc.govt.nz – subject line CAB location’
• At libraries or the events centre: leave your feedback at an ‘engagement station’ at Queenstown, Frankton or Arrowtown Library, or the Queenstown Events Centre. Wanaka folk can drop by the Wānaka library or Recreation Centre. **engagement stations will be available from 25 May**

What will happen next?

All feedback will be provided to Councillors to use as they consider next steps.

Wherever we end up, the goal is to deliver a cost-effective solution which allows us to enhance the services we provide, streamline how we work together and offer a modern, welcoming space for our community and staff.