The Government has introduced a new “Head Start” pathway as part of its local government reform programme. In simple terms, it gives councils an opportunity to begin early discussions about how local government could be structured in the future, including options such as combining councils into new unitary authorities.
The Government has signalled that it wants fewer councils overall and is encouraging councils to put forward their own proposals for change within a short timeframe. If councils do not do this, the Government has indicated it will develop its own proposals. In either case, final decisions on the future structure of local government will sit with central government.
Central Otago District Council has been involved in discussions through the Otago Mayoral Forum, as well as through ongoing engagement with central government and regional partners.
Central Otago District Council and Clutha District Council have jointly submitted a Head Start proposal to Government, proposing a new provincial council covering Central Otago, Clutha and Queenstown Lakes districts.
The proposal is built around the existing connections between the three districts. All three sit within the Mata-Au/Clutha catchment, and are linked by shared transport corridors, labour markets and economic ties that are already being explored through the Otago Central Lakes Regional Deal negotiations.
Government is expected to decide in September which proposals will proceed.
Read the full proposal below.
