Fiona Blight to head up Resource Consents team

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Fiona Blight as Resource Consents Manager.

Fiona brings almost 25 years of experience in the consenting world - both in local government and in private consultancy. The local authorities she has worked for include Auckland City Council, Whanganui District Council, Horizons Regional Council (Palmerston North), and Horowhenua District Council.

“With Fiona’s background, and the fact that she has already worked with QLDC on a number of key projects through her role as Technical and Project Director at Beca, she will be a real asset to the Resource Consents team and the wider department,” said General Manager Planning and Development Tony Avery.

Fiona will be managing the Resource Consents team which spans both the Queenstown and Wānaka QLDC offices and contains 27 planners.

“As the team issues a high number of resource consents – typically 1,400 each year with a varying level of complexity – they play a critical role in the Council and ultimately in the functioning of the district,” said Mr Avery.

“Working with QLDC as an external consultant, I have been able to experience its can-do positive culture. This was one of the things that attracted me to the role and I’m excited to be working in such a dynamic team. I moved here last year to be able to live in this amazing part of New Zealand and I’m also looking forward to playing my part in managing development across the district. The team has a tough job and I’ll be supporting them and contributing further to their growth through sharing my planning and commercial experience,” said Ms Blight.      

While Fiona’s start date is still to be confirmed, arrangements are now being made to lock this in.

ENDS.

Media contact: communications@qldc.govt.nz or call 03 441 1802.