​Changing it up at Council during December

Expect to be seeing a change of venue for the December Vincent Community Board and Central Otago District Council meetings.

The Council is taking them out of the Ngā Hau e Whā, William Fraser Building,1 Dunorling Street chambers in Alexandra to change things up a bit, Central Otago District Council Chief Executive Peter Kelly said.

“We’re taking the opportunity to get around the district more, to encourage different sectors of the community to participate in the public forum and attend the meetings.”

The Vincent Community Board (VCB) meeting next Tuesday 3 December will be held in Omakau.

VCB chair Jayden Cromb was looking forward to the change of venue.

"This is what localism is all about. We've heard from the Omakau community and we've listened; Vincent is more than one community or town. We are excited to replace the council chamber with the rugby clubrooms and to hear from people that don't necessarily have the time to take off work to come to us".

The meeting will be held at the Omakau Rugby Clubrooms, 13 Alton Street, Omakau, from 10am to about 1pm.

The Central Otago District Council (CODC) meeting on Wednesday 18 December will be held in Cromwell.

CODC Mayor Tamah Alley said it would be great “taking democracy to the people.”

“In recent times we’ve heard from some communities they feel disconnected from the decision making of their council. We are here for all of Central Otago - and celebrating that is what makes us so great as a district. In the interests of growing enthusiasm for and understanding of local democracy, we want to make ourselves more accessible. We hope to see more of our community members join us at council meetings by removing the distance barrier when we can.”

The meeting will be held at the Cromwell Service Centre, 42 The Mall, Cromwell, from 10.30am to about 5pm.