Subdivisions Lake Hayes Estate and Bridesdale Farm (far right) near Lakes Hayes. Photo / Stephen Jaquiery
Subdivisions Lake Hayes Estate and Bridesdale Farm (far right) near Lakes Hayes. Photo / Stephen Jaquiery
Residents in Queenstown's Lake Hayes Estate and Shotover Country wanting housing assistance are potentially $120 to $150 a week worse off than other locals.
The anomaly arises because for Work and Income's accommodation supplement – for people struggling with the cost of renting, boarding or owning a home – thosetwo suburbs are classified as Area 4, or 'rural', whereas the rest of Queenstown's an urban-classified Area 1.
Local MP Hamish Walker's lobbying the government, and the relevant minister, to fix this blatant discrepancy.
By every definition he can find, the two densely-inhabited subdivisions aren't rural.
He's already had more than a dozen letters of support from local community groups, but he's calling for more.
"I need as many as possible to present to the minister.
"Depending on the household's circumstances, a change of designation from an Area 4 home to an Area 1 home could amount to an extra $120 to $150 per week for those struggling with the high cost of living in Queenstown.
"An extra $120 to $150 per week makes a huge difference to many people.