A fifth of survey respondents said they needed to move in the last 12 months with 16 percent doing so because their home was unhealthy to live in. Photo: 123RF
A survey has found most residents in the Queenstown Lakes rate their quality of life as good or better, but many are stressed about housing and dissatisfied with the local council.
Close to 1500 residents responded to the Queenstown Lakes District Council's fifth annual Quality of Life survey.
A fifth of respondents said they needed to move in the last 12 months with 16 percent doing so because their home was unhealthy to live in.
An additional 16 percent of respondents were worried about having a steady place to live.
District Mayor Glyn Lewers said 77 percent of residents rated their quality of life as good or better, up one percent from the previous year.
"But dig a little deeper and we also see our district's most pressing challenges reflected in these results, particularly when it comes to housing and the lower ratings in life satisfaction reported by people who are generally younger, have less work security, and are renting," Lewers said.
More than half of respondents felt a sense of pride in the district, but only 20 percent were satisfied with the council's performance.
This was not reflected in the ratings of council-run community facilities and services including trails, libraries and reserves, which also scored in the 80 percent range.
Lewers said the survey would inform planning, decision-making, and advocacy to the government.
About 62 percent suggested they would consider living in higher-density housing.
"The 2022 survey took a special focus on housing. This evidence is useful in supporting our actions in this area, whether that be through council's initiatives like the Spatial Plan or its advocacy on behalf of the community in partnership with other organisations, including central government.
"Right away, it is being used to inform the Joint Housing Action Plan which will be out for consultation next month."
About 40 percent of residents reported that cost is a barrier to seeing a medical professional while 22 percent reported the length of wait was a barrier.
The survey found 91 percent agreed or strongly agreed that their neighbourhood was safe.
The Otago Regional Council has been provided with the results after only 12 percent agreed that public transport was meeting their needs.
It has also been provided to ORC to help inform its work on public transport.
A survey on non-residents drew 600 responses with close to half suggesting they did not rent their property out.
About 20 percent rent their property fulltime to long-term tenants and 11 percent fulltime to short-term tenants.