Central Otago to pursue Head Start proposal for unitary council
Central Otago District Council has resolved to prepare a Head Start proposal for a unitary council comprising Central Otago, Clutha, and Queenstown Lakes district councils, rather than signing a letter of intent.
Councillors voted in favour of the new direction, with one vote against, at today's meeting.
The proposal needs the agreement of Clutha and/or Queenstown Lakes district councils to proceed. Clutha District Council will consider their position on signing a joint letter of intent tomorrow and Queenstown Lakes District Council on Monday. If neither council favours the Head Start proposal from CODC, Mayor Tamah Alley has been authorised to instead sign the joint letter of intent with other Otago mayors, as previously signalled.
The proposed unitary authority would bring together the full areas of the three councils, with an option identified to include the Waihemo Ward of Waitaki District and rural parts of Dunedin City, including Middlemarch and the Taieri catchment, should they wish. To make sure local voices aren't lost in a bigger structure, the proposal will look at community councils with rating powers as the main way of keeping decisions close to the communities they affect, along with the possibility of tailored legislative arrangements specific to how this council would work.
Putting forward a Head Start proposal gives Central Otago a genuine say in shaping what any future structure looks like, rather than waiting to find out what Government decides instead. Districts that don't submit or have a Head Start proposal accepted move into a "backstop" process, the detail of which isn't expected until mid-2027. This may involve Combined Territory Boards, where existing mayors are grouped to run regional council functions. Acting now gives Central Otago the chance to help design protections like local representation and tailored legislation, rather than have a structure decided on their behalf.
A draft proposal will be circulated to councillors for review before being finalised. Should the necessary council support be secured, Mayor Alley has been authorised to sign and submit the proposal by Government's 9 August deadline.
Mayor Alley acknowledges the speed of this shift.
"I've said all along that this is a fast-moving process, and my own position has shifted more than once as new information has come to light,” she said following the meeting.
“Our commitment to Central Otago’s identity, affordability and strong local voice has never changed. What has evolved is our understanding of the best way to achieve those outcomes within the options and timeframe the Government has set. After carefully considering the evidence, we believe this approach provides the strongest pathway to protect what matters most to our communities. Good leadership means being willing to adapt when new information points to a better outcome, while staying true to the values and priorities that underpin our decisions."
The proposal is contingent on support from at least one neighbouring council, and any resulting changes to local government structure would still go through full public consultation before anything is confirmed.
