Choice online

A ‘one stop’ website to make all the ‘right choices’ around sustainability in the Queenstown Lakes District has been launched this week by the Queenstown Lakes District Council, QLDC transport manager Denis Mander said. 

“It’s about making the right choice in how we travel, how we manage waste and how we use water in our communities,” Mr Mander said. 

The site http://choice.qldc.govt.nz could help to start car pooling, do more recycling, make homes chemical free, get started as a worm farmer and much more. 

“It also features an ‘interactive’ map for Queenstown, and Wanaka including bike parks, bus stops, mobility access and bus timetables,” Mr Mander said. 

Tips on how to shop smarter, ‘pre-cycle’ and how to ‘re-circulate’ featured on the waste section, QLDC solid waste manager Stefan Borowy said. 

“You will even find zero waste events in the district, it’s a great resource for starting out or fine tuning household waste practices,’ Mr Borowy said. 

The District’s ‘water story’ featured under the water section, along with the ‘true cost of water’, QLDC 3 waters manager Gerry Essenberg said. 

“Water demand management is essential in the work we are doing to reduce debt in this community, learning the true cost of water and how to conserve that precious resource are key,” he said.  

The new site was a resource for residents and for visitors.  

“The website can ensure a low carbon footprint ‘stay’ – something of increasing importance in the growing eco tourism market,” Mr Mander said. 

The choice site also offered social media interaction, linking to facebook and twitter. 

The Council’s sustainability site would be promoted on the home page of the Council website www.qldc.govt.nz. 

“We hope it will be a tool widely used by the community,” Mr Mander said.