Council seeking community feedback on Teviot Valley Spatial Plan

The Central Otago District Council has today released an engagement document for the Teviot Valley Spatial Plan and is seeking community feedback.

The Teviot Valley Spatial Plan is a collaborative exercise between Council’s planning team and the local community to produce an evidence-based, future-focused strategy that outlines an agreed vision and direction for the area for the next 30 years and beyond.

As part of the Spatial Planning Project, four draft maps have been developed covering Roxburgh, Lake Roxburgh Village, Millers Flat and Ettrick. These have been drafted following a series of community workshops and with specialist input. The maps show how each location can grow and develop over the next 30 years, taking into account changes to zoning, community facilities, open spaces and infrastructure requirements.

The Teviot and wider Central Otago communities are being asked to read the document and answer an online survey to help the project team fine-tune the Spatial Plans before taking them to Council for approval later this year. The engagement document, survey and additional information can be found online at https://lets-talk.codc.govt.nz/teviot-valley-spatial-plan

Central Otago District Mayor, Tim Cadogan, is looking forward to hearing what the community thinks about the draft spatial plans. “I’m impressed with the amount of progress the project has made so far. We have a really comprehensive document to guide the community and I can’t wait to see what everyone has to say.”

“Every community in Central Otago is different, and the Teviot Valley is no exception. It’s been great to really dive into what the communities of the Teviot Valley want to see in the future, and how Council can work to both facilitate growth, but also protect what makes these communities special in the face of future change.”

“This is an important step. Once this engagement phase is over, we’ll take what the community has told us and use it to help shape a final option for each area. These will then be shared back with Council for approval, before we finalise them towards the end of the year.”

The engagement process runs until Sunday, 5 November and Council will be holding drop-in sessions across the Teviot Valley throughout this period.

“We’re really encouraging everyone in the community to take the opportunity to have a say on the future of their towns,” Mayor Tim said. “This process will shape how we plan for growth over the next 30 years and the feedback we receive will impact the direction we take. This is your chance to tell us what you think, so please share this with any friends, family, and colleagues – the more feedback we get, the better.”

Analysis of costs, infrastructure requirements and a range of other inputs will also be undertaken. This will ensure that the final spatial plan outlines a future vision for each area to inform zoning changes that will be enacted through a Council-led change to the Central Otago District Plan. The spatial plan will also assist in guiding decisions at a local, regional and central government level, ensuring they cater for future growth and provide for each community.

To view and provide feedback on the draft plan, head to https://lets-talk.codc.govt.nz/teviot-valley-spatial-plan. Feedback closes Sunday, 5 November 2023.

Community drop-in sessions are scheduled at the Roxburgh Service Centre between 12-2pm on 12, 26, 27, 31 October and 2 November. In addition to the Roxburgh dop-ins, Council staff will also be available to meet with communities in Millers Flat and Ettrick.