One District Central Otago

The Central Otago community will be asked for feedback on setting a district-wide approach for funding and decision-making (districtisation) for the majority of services regardless of which ward they live in.

The Central Otago District Council met today (31 July 2024) to consider the document for this consultation, which was agreed would take place from 1-31 August, with hearings and deliberations in September 2024.

At the moment, 82% of rates for water, roading and waste, are collected at a district level, and 18% of rates for property, parks, cemeteries, pools and community grants (except museums) are collected at a ward level.

The community is being asked whether a district-wide approach should be adopted so that charges for services will be the same in each of the wards i.e., Vincent, Cromwell, Maniototo and Teviot Valley.

There are three different options for the community to consider:

Option 1: Full districtisation of property, parks, cemeteries, pools and museums – every ward pays an equal share.

Option 2: Districtise property, parks, cemeteries, pools and museums but include a rating adjustment for the Teviot Valley ward to offset pool charges (as the ward does not have a council-run pool).

Option 3: Status quo, no change. Property, parks, cemeteries, pools and museums continue to be funded by ward rates.

Public sessions will be held during August, which will begin with a brief presentation, followed by the opportunity to ask questions. Mayor Tim Cadogan, councillors, community board members and staff will be present.

After the meeting, Mayor Tim explained the rationale behind the proposal:

“We are a council that just had an18.3% average rates rise, which was closer to 30% in towns with three waters and wheelie bins supplied. On that basis, we need to consider all options that will allow us to face increased costs into the future. Part of the cause of the rates increase is the debt we have and that we will need to take on for infrastructure in the three waters and roading spaces, being core services that we have little choice in. Managing the increase of that debt is of crucial importance moving forward and districtisation, if it progresses, will allow council in the Long-term Plan next year to consider asset sales to help meet our infrastructure needs, thereby reducing the future debt burden.

“It is important to note that, if all services were districtised, this would not impact on current levels of service in each ward. These would remain at the current level and could only be altered following consultation with the community through an annual or long-term plan process”.

The schedule for the public meetings is as follows:

For more information go to: One District: Central Otago | Let’s Talk Central Otago (codc.govt.nz).

There will be a survey that will ask the community for their feedback on three options that are being considered. Printed copies of the survey and consultation document will also be available at Council offices and libraries.