The Queenstown Lakes District Council is to consider bringing forward hundreds of millions of dollars worth of civic projects to save the area's construction industry.
The industry has less than $100 million worth of projects on the drawing board for next year, down from more than $800 million this year.
Queenstown Lakes District mayor Clive Geddes says the community needs to wake up and face the fact that the recession will hit the area hard if nothing is done.
He says by bringing forward planned civic works, such as the $90 million community and arts centre, the region might be able to stave off the worst effects of the economic crisis.
The council meets next week.
