10 July 2025
Wayne Scott
Sent via email to
[FYI request #31389 email]
LG25-0169 – Pigeon Island Hut
Dear Wayne,
REQUEST FOR OFFICIAL INFORMATION – PARTIAL RELEASE OF INFORMATION AND CONSULTATION
Thank you for your request for information held by the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC). On
25 June 2025 you requested the following information under the Local Government Official
Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA):
1. In regard to the public hut, which was previously privately occupied, could you please advise
what steps have been undertaken to make this facility available to the public.
2. Could you please provide copies of all correspondence pertaining to this hut since the date
of my last request.
3. Could you also please advise why this hut is not available to the public and a time frame in
which it will be available to the public.
QLDC RESPONSE
Partial release of information
In response to your request, we consulted with the QLDC Property and Infrastructure Team.
1. In regard to the public hut, which was previously privately occupied, could you please advise
what steps have been undertaken to make this facility available to the public.
Significant progress has been made to return the hut to public use. Since it was transferred back to
QLDC ownership and management, we have taken a number of steps to ensure it is safe, accessible,
and fit for public use. These include:
• Upgrading the hut to improve service levels and overall condition.
• Undertaking health and safety improvements, including removing identified hazards in and
around the site.
• Installing a new wilderness toilet to support environmentally responsible use.
• Installing solar power to provide lighting and improve usability.
3. Could you also please advise why this hut is not available to the public and a time frame in
which it will be available to the public.
Final preparations are currently underway to enable public bookings, with the hut expected to be
available for use from summer 2025. Once these final steps are complete, it will be listed on our
website with a dedicated booking calendar. Updates and booking information will be available at:
https://www.qldc.govt.nz/recreation/parks-and-walkways/pigeon-island/.
Consultation with requester
2. Could you please provide copies of all correspondence pertaining to this hut since the date
of my last request.
In response to your request, we searched our email archives for relevant correspondence dated
between 24 August 2023 and 25 June 2025. This search focused on emails containing any of the
phrases ‘Robinson Douglas Hut’, ‘Robertsons Hut’, ‘Robinson Hut’, ‘Smiths Hut’ or ‘Pigeon Island Hut’,
to ensure all potential variations and misinterpretations were captured. The search initially identified
1,980 emails which, following removal of duplicates, will require review to determine whether they
fall within the scope of your request.
Your request as currently framed will be very difficult to meet without substantial collation or
research. It involves a considerable amount of information, and responding in its present form would
place a considerable strain on our operations.
We have considered whether charging a fee or extending the response timeframe, as required under
section 17(f) of the LGOIMA, would assist in meeting your request. However, we have determined
that neither charging nor extending the timeframe would help in this situation. Extending the
timeframe would not alleviate the operational challenges we face, and charging would not address
the underlying issue of resource constraints in processing such a large volume of information.
Therefore, neither charging nor an extension would effectively resolve the issue.
Unless your request is amended, we may have to refuse it under section 17(f) of the LGOIMA, which
applies where the information cannot be made available without substantial collation or research.
Please inform us before
14 July 2025 by return email whether you are prepared to amend or clarify
your request and, if so, how. You may consider:
• Date range: Further limiting the information to materials created or received between [insert
specific start date] and [insert end date].
• Staff: Limiting correspondence to those involving [insert relevant staff names or roles, e.g.,
Chief Executive, General Manager of Property and Infrastructure etc.].
• Focus areas: Identifying areas of particular interest, key points, documentation or analysis
essential to the needs of the information requested e.g., relating to environmental impacts,
alternative options considered, etc.
If the above considerations are acceptable to you, it may enable us to deliver a meaningful and
accurate response within a reasonable timeframe.
Right to review the above decision
Note that you have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision.
Information about this process is available
at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802
602.
If you wish to discuss this decision with us, please contact
[email address]
(Stakeholder and Democracy Services Manager).
We trust that the above information satisfactorily answers the relevant components of your request.
Kind regards,
Renee
Democracy Services Team
Corporate Services | Queenstown Lakes District Council
P: +64 3 441 0499
E:
[email address]
