A full council meeting to be held in Wanaka today (Thursday April 29) is expected to attract more than the usual number of attendees with the organisation of a public rally beforehand.

The Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) meeting agenda is not particularly controversial, but Wanaka resident Anna Simmonds has organised a rally prior to the 1pm meeting to “remind council that we’re ready and waiting for our open and transparent consultation that has been deemed lacking”.

Her comments follow last week’s decision by the High Court to overturn the Wanaka Airport lease after it was deemed unlawful.

Read more: High Court rules Wanaka Airport lease illegal

Justice Van Bohemen said the process prescribed in the Local Government Act 2002 for transfer of control of a strategic asset was not followed in the case of the Wanaka Airport. The consultation process carried out by QLDC before granting the lease also did not comply with the consultation requirements of the Act.

Rally organiser Anna Simmonds said people are ready for their “open and transparent consultation” on airport development. PHOTO: Supplied

“There’s been a lot of community discussion over the last few days,” Anna said, adding there are a number of local groups involved in the rally, including community associations and Extinction Rebellion.

“I want council to know we feel engaged and we’re listening,” she said, and to thank the Wanaka Stakeholders Group, who pursued the matter in the High Court.

Anna had invited mayor Jim Boult and councillors to attend the rally to “engage” with those present, but said she had only heard back from councillor Nikki Gladding, who signalled she might attend.

The rally will take place from 12.30pm outside the Lake Wānaka Centre, and the council meeting begins at 1:00pm.

The public is welcome to attend the council meeting but, under revised rules, anyone who wishes to speak in the public forum at the beginning of the meeting is required to register with the governance team at least 24 hours before the meeting starts.