​Council makes LTP decisions

The Central Otago District Council’s Long-term Plan deliberations have resulted in a potential rates rise below the 13.01% predicted.

With the retention of seven halls and facilities that were on the divestment list, decisions to fund some items from reserves rather than rate-funded, and keeping the Alexandra outdoor pool open, the predicted rates rise is 12.46%, subject to audit.

At yesterday’s meeting in Alexandra (Tuesday 20 May 2025), the Council considered the nine 2025-34 Long-term Plan (LTP) consultation items.

In her closing comments at the end of the decision making, Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley said there had been “a lot of heavy lifting". She congratulated all who had been involved in the LTP process, particularly the community with a record number of submitters (more than 1,200 including student survey participants).

“Some will be happy with the decisions. Some will be disappointed.”

She said the decisions had been made in the best interests of the ratepayers today and for the future, to strike a balance between the “nice to haves and the must haves”.

In having made some tough calls, the Council had prevented “kicking cans down multiple roads” and dealt with what needed to be done today for tomorrow.

Halls

The Council agreed to the following buildings to remain under council ownership:

Ophir Hall

Poolburn Hall

Becks Hall, with a review post completion of the Omakau Hub.

Clyde Hall

Clyde Museum, Blyth St, with a review of the continued lease arrangements.

Clyde Railway Station, with a review of the continued lease arrangements.

Millers Flat Hall

Ranfurly Hall

Wallace Memorial Rooms

Naseby Hall

Naseby General Store, with a review of the continued lease arrangements.

Centennial Milk Bar with a review of the continued lease arrangements.

Fenton Library

The following would be divested, subject to further discussion:

Patearoa Hall

Waipiata Hall

Wedderburn Hall

And in addition, also divested:

Vallance Cottage, noting the need to engage with the committee.

Clyde Police Lock Up, noting the Clyde Museum requested first rights to the building.

Briar herb museum and cottage, with staff investigating options and reporting back to Council.

Clyde Goods Shed, with staff investigating options and reporting back to Council.

Millers Flat Bowling club, noting the Millers Flat Sport and Recreation Group requested the first right of refusal.

Roxburgh Squash Courts

Pools

In the LTP, the Council considered closing and decommissioning the outdoor pool at Alexandra; however, agreed yesterday to retain it and will be reviewed in the 2027-37 Long-term Plan.

The Council said it would be willing to vest the Ida MacDonald Roxburgh Pool Punawai Ora, however, the Roxburgh Pool Committee is to formally advise by Monday (26 May) to confirm whether or not they want the Council to take it on.

Water

Changing the volumetric water charge from the current 60 cents per cubic metre attracted some robust discussion, with councillors eventually agreeing to set the volumetric water charge at $1.60 per cubic metre with an indicative fixed charge of $682.97, subject to the total number of rating units for the 2025/26 Financial Year and $2.40 per cubic metre and associated fixed charge for the 2026/27 Financial Year.

The Council agreed to continue investigating a joint Council Controlled Organisation model for water services delivery.

In other items, the Council agreed to:

Omakau hub

• Give a grant of up to $1.6 million for the completion of the Manuherekia Valley Community Hub to be funded from Vincent General Reserves.

Supercars

• On the basis that there is no offer for Central Otago to host a South Island supercars event, that no funding be allocated in the Long-term Plan 2025-34.

Turf

• To support the artificial turf at Maniototo Area School with a grant for $200,000 in 2026/27 Financial Year, with the money coming from the Reserve Contributions Fund - Maniototo.
• To support the Artificial Turf at Dunstan High School with a grant for $300,000 in 2025/26 Financial Year, with the money to come from Vincent General Reserves.

In addition to the consultation items, the following decisions were also made:

Tourism reserves

• Request a report from the Chief Executive Officer to investigate possible uses for the tourism reserves for 2026-27 Annual Plan.

Blossom festival funding

• The Alexandra Blossom Festival being a line item for $24,500 for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 financial years to be funded from District Tourism Reserves.

The Council also requested that the Chief Executive Officer consider the feasibility of a district event fund in the wider ratings review in 2025-26.

Emergency funding

• Allocating income received from mining agreements with Hawkswood Mining in the budgets and allocate as follows: $165,000 to the Roading Emergency Works Fund per annum and $120,000 to the Emergency Event Fund per annum.
• In a separate resolution it was agreed that subject to the resolution (O), the rates contribution be reduced from $165,000 to $100,000 for the 2025/26 Financial Year for the Roading Emergency Works Fund.

Operating models review

• Requested the Chief Executive Officer to bring a paper to Council with a full review of operating models, funding and the use of community space for the museum, arts and heritage sector.

The Council also adopted a number of policies, which can be found on the resolutions page: CODC's Long-term Plan decisions in full ... - Central Otago District Council.