Central Otago district councillors have put off a decision on whether to investigate alternative sites for the Roxburgh Entertainment Centre rebuild, opting instead to hear directly from residents at a community meeting set for December 11. Council staff, backed by the Roxburgh Entertainment Centre Project Steering Group and the Teviot Valley Community Board, had recommended councillors approve a $20,000–$40,000 investigation into one or two possible new locations.  The work would have been funded from the $4M insurance payout following the February fire that destroyed the town’s historic hall and cinema. But after a passionate public forum plea and concerns from elected members about misinformation and community unease, councillors voted for a motion from councillor Martin McPherson to leave the decision on the table until after the December 11 public meeting. Speaking in the public forum, Teviot Valley Community Board member Gill Booth urged councillors not to commit any funding until they had heard from residents. “I think it’s important that the town does make the decision and not the council,” she said. Gill said discussion about shifting the centre had “exploded into a bit of anger and a lot of bad information”. “It has been bloody heated in town, I’m telling you,” she said.  In her view, most people she had spoken to were “vehemently opposed to spending any money looking at anything” other than rebuilding on the original site, adding that “most of Roxburgh will cling like a limpet to bringing their town hall back to where it was”. Deputy mayor Tracy Paterson asked Gill for guidance on how to move the conversation forward, acknowledging “we are inevitably going to be left with people that are happy and people that aren’t”. Teviot Valley ward councillor Curtis Pannett supported pausing the process, saying it was important to correct “misinformation…that this is a decision that’s in motion”. “I think that it’s important that we hear from the community sooner rather than later before we make a decision,” he said. He believed some residents felt decisions were being made “without consultation, and that’s the biggest issue at the minute”. Curtis said the December 11 meeting should serve both as an outlet for the community to feel heard and an opportunity for staff to outline “process and pathways” for the rebuild. Mayor Tamah Alley, joining the meeting remotely from Queenstown Airport, also wanted the community to hear from staff about the “opportunity cost” of a new location, including the additional time and money that would be needed if the rebuild moved off the existing site. She said it was important residents “understand that process, then they can give us a steer on, ‘Hey, are we happy to wait two or three years’, or ‘Actually, do we want to get cracking on this’”. When tabling his motion, Martin said the steering group and staff would be “in a far better position to give a consensus feeling” after the community meeting.  “We should be listening to that community,” he said. In her report to the council meeting, property officer Tara Bates said the project steering group thought exploring other sites was worth considering, calling the rebuild a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to create a multipurpose, future-focused hub for the Teviot Valley. Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

If you hear fire sirens and police cars driving around the streets of Cromwell, Alexandra and Clyde on Wednesday evening, make a run for the letterbox - with a can(s) of food.The annual can drive organised by Property Brokers will see young volunteer scouts roaming the streets to collect donations from residents on December 3 from 5:30pm.People are encouraged to leave bags of non-perishable items at their gate, that will be picked up by teams and assisted by local police and Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ).All collected canned goods and items will then make their way to both the Alexandra and Cromwell foodbanks and Plunket to distribute amongst families in need.Property Brokers Cromwell agent Dawn Turnbull has been involved with the can drive for the past five years, and she’s seen it all.Last year in Cromwell the fire siren went off just as they were about to start. The FENZ crew that was supposed to be helping with the can drive had to answer a call out.“I said to them, are you for real? Is this a joke?”Luckily it was just a quick call out to Tarras but the team were back to help 20 minutes later.This year in Cromwell there will be 23 scouts, 12 FENZ crew, two fire trucks and two police cars involved.Dawn said by the time she gets home at 10:30pm, you can guarantee there will be messages all over social media asking what the noise was about.Meanwhile, down in Alexandra, the Salvation Army is looking forward to another successful can drive, to help stock up its Combined Churches food bank.The Salvation Army receives redirected food from both Woolworths and New World every week, as an ongoing partnership, but is always grateful for the community’s help as well.Captain Jonny Whybrow said unfortunately its foodbank stats show an increasing demand for services when comparing the August to October period of this year with 2024. “There has been a 6% increase in the number of food parcels we have given out to our community. Anecdotally, I suggest this is due to the rising cost of living, especially for renters.” Keep an eye out for the Central App notification on Wednesday afternoon reminding everyone to do their bit for those in need at Christmas.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

If you’ve been chatting to anyone around Central this week, you’ll know there’s a real buzz about the Reserve Bank’s decision to trim the Official Cash Rate. The .25 cut might seem small on paper, but for many locals it feels like Christmas has arrived a little early.Banks have already started passing on lower mortgage rates, and that means borrowing is set to get a bit easier for families, first-home buyers, and anyone looking to refinance. The shift is expected to steady demand across the housing market and could help lift sales activity heading into 2026. Most economists are calling it the start of a slow, steady recovery rather than a sharp upswing, with employment and consumer confidence still the big swing factors.Why it matters hereHere in Central Otago, the market has already been humming along, and this rate drop could add even more energy. Investors are back out looking, and if the pace of recent enquiry is anything to go by, 2026 is shaping up to be an interesting year. National forecasts put price growth at around 4 percent, but with the region’s growing popularity, Central could well creep into double-digit territory.We’re also seeing a lift in local confidence, with new developments rolling out across Cromwell, Clyde and Alexandra. Plenty of sections are expected to hit the market through 2026, giving buyers more choice than we’ve seen in a while.People here have a long-term view. They’re not expecting a boom, just a stable path upward - and that’s exactly what this rate cut helps support.Details• OCR cut: 0.25• Announced 27 November, flowing through banks now • Expect: Lower mortgage rates, slightly easier lending conditions, more listings over 2026• Where to watch: Major banks’ rate sheets and local real estate updatesEven with a calmer national outlook, Central Otago continues to show its resilience, supported by strong agriculture and tourism. Net migration is softening, but the fundamentals here remain solid.It’s another small reminder of why Central Otago is such a special place to call home.Sponsored Content: This article has been submitted by a contributing local property advisor as part of The Central App’s sponsored programme.

As December rolls around, many clients start to wonder: Will my lawyer disappear for weeks during the festive season? It’s a fair question—legal matters don’t pause just because the calendar says “holiday.”The Myth of the Month-Long BreakThere’s a common perception that lawyers shut their doors from mid-December until late January.While it’s true that the legal industry slows down over Christmas, the idea of a full month off is more myth than reality.What Actually HappensCourt Closures: Most courts operate on reduced schedules from late December to early January. This means hearings and filings may be delayed.Office Hours: Many law firms close for a week over Christmas and New Year, but rarely for an entire month. Staff often rotate holidays to ensure someone is available.Urgent Matters: Lawyers remain on call for critical issues—think bail applications, urgent family matter, or time-sensitive commercial deals.Why It Feels Like a Long BreakThe slowdown is partly cultural.Businesses often defer decisions until the new year, and clients may avoid starting new legal processes during the festive season. Combined with public holidays, this creates the impression of a long hiatus.What You Can DoPlan Ahead: If you need legal work done before January, start early.Ask About Availability: Most firms will tell you upfront who’s covering during the break.Use Technology: Many lawyers now offer virtual consultations, even during holiday periods.Bottom LineYour lawyer probably isn’t sipping cocktails on a beach for a month straight.They may take a well-earned break, but most firms ensure continuity for urgent matters. So, while the pace slows, the profession doesn’t completely stop.Checketts McKay Law closes for the Christmas period at 5pm on 23 December 2025 and re-opens on 12 January 2026. Staff are available over the closedown period – please phone 03 440 00125 for assistance.Sponsored Content: This article has been submitted by a contributing local expert as part of The Central App’s sponsored advisor programme. All sponsored stories are reviewed to align with our values of community first, accuracy, and trusted people in our community reporting.

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Alcohol consumption on boats will come under the spotlight through the Otago Regional Council’s Navigation Safety Bylaw that is up for review.Harbourmaster Steve Rushbrook told regional councillors this week, that controlling alcohol use on boats was something that had to be led by Maritime NZ - but they could “potentially” write something into their own safety bylaw that could be signed off at the top.“As a group of national harbourmasters, we’ve been pushing on that door for quite some time, and will continue to do so.”Last summer, Central Otago police had to walk away from a group of intoxicated jet boaters near Luggate, who overturned their boat, tipping passengers into the water.A loophole in the law meant authorities were powerless to prosecute them - even though it was illegal and dangerous to operate a vessel under the influence of alcohol.The group refused to co-operate with police, and by the time the Wanaka waterways team got involved, they were well gone.  Police said at the time, they could only prosecute the drivers for excess breath alcohol, by waiting at the boat ramp when they came to shore. ORC harbourmaster Steve Rushbrook and the team will be out patrolling on Lake Dunstan over summer. Image: suppliedThe Otago Navigation Safety Bylaw 2020 assists with the regulation of ports, harbours, waters and maritime-related activities in the region.After a discussion led by Cr Kate Wilson, the council agreed that new provisions will be written into the draft Navigation Safety Bylaw, that helped address the issue.“Why you can’t do something in a car that you can do in a boat - it just seems, given the risks, madness,” she said.The draft bylaw will be presented back to the regional council for its next meeting on December 9, and then once signed off will be submitted to Maritime NZ as the governing body.It covers the wearing of lifejackets, notification of incidents, seaworthy vessels, vessels to be identified and a range of other matters.It will then go out for consultation in early 2026, with an aim to adopt the new bylaw in April 2026.

Work to remove a stand of trees beside Cromwell’s yet-to-be-named events centre is expected to begin today, while separate tree maintenance is under way at Lowburn Inlet after wind damage last week. Dozens of trees along the Kawarau Arm of Lake Dunstan are scheduled to be cut down.  Members of the public were first alerted to the work when orange ‘Xs’ were spray painted on trees bordering the Lake Dunstan Trail, at a point below the new hall complex under construction on Melmore Terrace. An initial media statement from the Central Otago District Council about the works was issued and later withdrawn.  However, in a Facebook post on Friday, the council said the removal was linked to “revitalising the Cromwell waterfront” and would “open up sight lines and enhance the visual and physical link between the waterfront and community facilities”. Days are numbered for dozens of trees marked with an orange ‘X’ below the new hall complex under construction in Cromwell. Image: The Central AppThe council said landscaping would follow to create “an inviting space” in front of the new hall. The proposed work has drawn strong reaction online from residents concerned about the scale of the felling.  Some questioned whether improving views from the new facility was being prioritised over preserving shade trees. Further up the lake at Lowburn Inlet, a different set of trees was taped off mid last week after being damaged in strong winds.  Although the land appears to be public reserve, it is owned by Contact Energy. A Contact spokesperson said the company removed several dangerous branches to ensure public safety, leaving the firewood on site for people to collect. “We will carry out a full assessment of the trees on our property,” the spokesperson said. “Once we have a plan for tree removal and maintenance, we will engage with stakeholders before commencing any works.” While it was initially indicated some trees might need to be removed entirely, only damaged limbs have been taken at this stage.  The trees are valued locally for the shade they provide during summer, and Contact said it will discuss any replanting requirements with the community.  

If you’re looking for a good sort in Central, Dave Ramsay’s your man.Over four decades, Dave has dedicated himself to the region through tireless volunteer work, chasing rabbits, flipping sausages at community events, and releasing dozens of confident young drivers onto Central Otago roads.Since 1985, the Alexandra Lions stalwart and former Jaycee has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for community causes like Friends of Dunstan Hospital, Alexandra Fire Brigade and many more.“You’ll see him on the barbie at the Alexandra Blossom Festival or working the gate at the Omakau Races, it’s just what you do when you’re Dave.”He’s been a member of the Alexandra Lions for more than 30 years, joining in 1995 after a decade with the Jaycees. He served as Lions president in 2001–2002.“We provide community services with the proceeds, spreading what we raise around the community, or to individuals needing a kickstart,” he said. “But it’s all done under the radar. There’s no hoopla.”Still, hoopla found him in July this year.King’s honour for a humble man Dave has spent 40 years helping others, from rabbit control to Santa Claus duties. Photo: SuppliedDave was awarded a King’s Service Medal as part of the New Year’s Honours – an event delayed six months due to weather-related flight cancellations. He travelled to Government House in July, joined by friends and family, to finally accept the award.“It was a significant occasion hearing all the stories of those there and having that citation read out,” he said. “There might’ve even been a bit of liquid in the eyes at one stage,” he laughed. “Cindy is a neat lady. She hosted two showings of Honours recipients every day for a week.”Dave's humility remains. “I really just enjoy people and want to help where I can.”Known as ‘Rambo’, loved as SantaHe’s often called on when the job needs doing, though he’s not too keen on the nickname ‘Rambo’. Grandad to two, Dave is also a sought-after Santa Claus in the lead-up to Christmas.“I’ve got three bookings already this year and it’s still a month out,” he said, clearly chuffed.Perhaps it’s that personable nature and community spirit that also made him a trusted face during his 36-year car sales career — 26 of those years spent with Grant Ward Nissan in Alexandra.Wheels and roots: Ramsay's early yearsBorn in Invercargill in 1954, Dave grew up around cars. His dad, Wattie, sold cars at GWD Russells for 60 years, starting in 1934.“I loved it there. He’d try to get away from me, but I’d ride my bike down there,” Dave grinned.He learned to drive on his uncle’s Ettrick farm from the age of 10 or 11 and got his driver’s licence on his 15th birthday. Holidays were spent in Central Otago with his mum’s family. “I always had a desire to live up here,” he said.After one year of pharmacy school in Wellington, Dave returned south, eventually landing at Grant Ward Nissan — but not without some drama. His Invercargill home was hit by floods just as he was relocating.“I could see our home from work at GWD’s in Bay Road, but they wouldn’t let me go down to check on it, so one day I shot through there on the railway line to assess the damage and got a stern telling-off from the cops.”Giving back through generationsDave’s sons were born in Alexandra and, like him, got stuck into community life through Jaycees and Lions events.“There were a lot of dreamers out there who would’ve loved to own a $25,000 car. They had the $5,000, but not the $20,000,” he smiled, reflecting on his years in sales.“Nissan utilities were just becoming popular. You wouldn’t be on a farm without one now.”He credits the farming community for his success. “It was always a privilege dealing with farmers,” he said. “They’d budget to buy something, and if they didn’t have the cash, they’d put up with the old ute for another year.”Helping young drivers and saying goodbyeIn earlier years, Dave was passionate about the Nissan Young Driver Competition, which he ran in a central Alexandra car park, helping teenagers build road confidence.He also served on the Terrace School board, including as chair.Now retired, (from paid work at least) Dave keeps busy volunteering, particularly with Lions catering at events around the region. “I love eating, so it’s easy,” he said.Another way he’s supported the community? As a funeral celebrant. Dave has led more than 170 funerals across Central Otago and Queenstown.“It’s a particularly tough time for a lot of families, with a lot of costs involved. So not having to pay a celebrant can help. In a difficult time, it makes a big difference.”Still giving back and not slowing downAfter 40-plus years of service, Dave is still not seeking praise. But in Central Otago, people notice.“Moving to Central Otago was the best thing I ever did,” he said.

There’s a lot to share - and when Minister Patterson said we’d be “running around with our pants on fire by Christmas,” he wasn’t kidding. Here’s the rundown of what’s landed:Local Government ReformThe Government has released a proposal that would abolish the governance arm of Regional Councils (the councillors) and ask all Otago mayors to jointly govern the ORC. We’d then have two years to propose how regional functions like environmental management, public transport, pollution control and pest management would look in future.You don’t need to read between the lines — the proposal specifically signals a pathway toward unitary councils (where one organisation does both district and regional functions). We already see this in places like Nelson, Tasman and Gisborne.The “alternative” to mayors governing locally? Crown Commissioners. Personally, I’d rather see Otago people making Otago decisions — with public accountability and a real understanding of our unique landscapes and communities.This proposal is open for public feedback until February, and I strongly encourage people to have their say. You can find the details at the link below. Resource Management Act ReformA big missing piece in the puzzle is what the RMA reform will look like. This will fundamentally shape how councils operate and how we deliver services.We’ve had little detail so far — other than Minister Grigg assuring us it will “change your life.” I’m absolutely supportive of reducing unnecessary red tape, hopefully not at the cost of our environment or the wellbeing of future generations. More detail is due in the coming weeks. National Wastewater StandardsYesterday the Government released new national environmental performance standards for wastewater. These relate to everything from treatment ponds and discharges to land/water, through to overflow management.Consenting wastewater is expensive and complex for councils — balancing essential services with environmental protection. Some standardisation across the country makes sense, especially with a risk-based approach that reduces duplication and excessive technical paperwork. The Government estimates up to $830 million in savings nationally over 35 years through streamlined processes. The Bigger PictureLocal government has been calling for reform for years. The system is under real pressure — growth, ageing infrastructure, rising costs, and rising expectations all colliding at once.We’re ready for the hard conversations.The Government has now put a proposal on the table. Our job is to test it, improve it, and make sure any new model is workable and fair for the people of Central Otago and the wider Otago region.Never a dull day in local government!

After years of teaching English in both Chile and New Zealand, Fernanda Silva Garriga has begun offering free IELTS preparation sessions at the Cromwell Library, alongside her weekly language conversation classes and private lessons. IELTS is the English-language test accepted by Immigration New Zealand, as well as universities and employers, as proof of English proficiency. The score someone achieves can make or break their hopes of working, studying or settling here. English teaching wasn’t always Fernanda’s plan. She trained as a translator and interpreter in Chile, having grown up surrounded by teachers and academics.  But while studying and later working in Valparaíso, she often found herself tutoring English on the side.  After moving to New Zealand in 2017, she earned her TESOL qualification and taught at a Queenstown language school before launching her own business in Cromwell earlier this year. Her teaching style is shaped by her own experience of finding school challenging. “When I was in high school, it wasn’t so easy for me - because my brain works differently, and it took me a bit longer to understand certain things,” she said.  “I always felt the education system wasn’t built for the way I learn.” Over the years she adapted her lessons to suit individual students, something they often comment on. “They really appreciate that the way that I teach is different for each one of them,” she said. For her, the reward is seeing people reach the point where something finally clicks.  She believes anyone can learn at their own pace, “as long as they have someone to support them”. Cromwell’s diverse and fast-growing community has only strengthened her sense of purpose.  She sees language as central to building a life in a new place - whether that’s making friends, finding a job or simply feeling confident enough to participate.  “Language is the channel that connects you with pretty much everything,” she said. That belief is partly why she approached the Cromwell Library to offer the free classes.  Having once worked in a library in Chile, she sees the space as more than a building full of books.  It’s a social hub, she said, and one that can help newcomers feel welcome.  “I just want to bring people in to know each other,” she said. Fernanda grew up on Chile’s long Pacific coastline, but Cromwell now feels like home too. She and her French partner endured a long period apart during the Covid-19 border closures before eventually returning to New Zealand to secure residency.  At that point, Fernanda could have moved anywhere, but she chose the town with the Big Fruit. “I don’t see myself in another place right now,” she said. “This is the place that life wanted us, where everything worked out.” Still, she accepts her heart remains divided.“Part of me is in Chile and the other part of me is here,” she said.

The Central Otago District Council (CODC) confirmed candidates have until 12pm on Monday, December 22, to put their names forward for the vacant seat.The by-election follows the resignation of Dave McKenzie, who was elected to the Vincent Ward in October but withdrew days after the election. Dave cited the toll of "online destructive misinformation" on his family following the release of a council report detailing invoice tampering involving his company.Despite coming before he was even sworn in, the resignation after the election meant his seat was left vacant, necessitating a fresh election process.Electoral Officer Anthony Morton said nomination papers were now available for those wishing to stand."To be eligible to stand for election, a candidate must be a New Zealand citizen and a parliamentary elector," the notice said. "Candidates must be nominated by two people who are registered on the Parliamentary Electoral Roll within the Vincent Ward."Each nomination must be accompanied by a deposit of $200.If more than one nomination is received by the December deadline, a postal ballot will be held early next year using the First Past the Post system.Voting papers would be delivered to eligible electors starting Friday, January 30, with voting closing at 12pm on Tuesday, March 3.There has been an early indication of Interest in the vacancy, with the highest-polling unsuccessful candidate from October confirming she will stand.Louise van der Voort, who missed out on the fourth Vincent Ward seat by a narrow 33-vote margin, has indicated she will contest the by-election.Louise is a familiar face in local governance, having previously served in a senior leadership position at the council for many years. She secured 1,575 votes in the recent election, placing her next in line behind Dave.Meanwhile, another high-profile candidate has ruled himself out of the race to avoid triggering further costs for ratepayers.Jayden Cromb, who also ran for council in October, was successfully elected to the Vincent Community Board and sworn in as its chair.Jayden confirmed he would not stand for the council vacancy as he wanted to avoid sparking a second by-election for the district, opting instead to focus on his community board leadership role.Nomination forms are available on the CODC website or from the council’s service centre in Alexandra.Read more: Next-in-line candidate to contest Vincent by-election and Councillor withdraws, citing ‘online hatred’

Otago Polytechnic has pivoted to a workplace-based model to keep cookery training alive in Central Otago, securing a high school facility to replace the commercial kitchens set to be lost in its campus sell-off.The institution announced it would deliver its Level 4 Cookery programme through a new Work Integrated Learning (WIL) model starting in February.The move serves as a workaround for the polytechnic’s recent decision to sell its Cromwell town campus on Molyneux Avenue, which housed its training kitchens, citing financial viability.Otago Polytechnic deputy executive director of operations Max Sims said the new pathway was designed to support learners already working within the hospitality industry."The flexible one-year, fulltime programme allows learners to remain in paid employment and is ideal for emerging chefs who want to formalise their skills and kitchen staff looking to step into more skilled positions," Max said."It also suits employers wanting to develop committed, motivated team members without removing them from the workplace."To bridge the gap left by the lack of campus facilities, trainees, who must be employed for at least 20 hours a week, will attend specialist masterclasses in a professional kitchen at Dunstan High School. This will be combined with weekly one-on-one meetings with polytechnic staff."We’ve already had positive interest from across the local sector and have begun conversations with some of Central Otago’s largest hospitality employers," Max said.In addition to the cookery qualification, the polytechnic is also pursuing approval to deliver a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy via a similar "Work Augmented Learning" pathway.Max said the team had hosted a positive site accreditation visit from the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand and hoped to welcome the first local intake mid next year."Creating a pool of therapists who are already local and have trained in the context of their own community has the potential to better meet the growing demand on health resources being experienced in the region," Max said.The course announcements follow a turbulent period for the polytechnic in the region.Earlier this year, the institution moved to discontinue courses in outdoor adventure education, stonemasonry, and brewing, as well as cookery, as part of a wider restructuring to ensure financial sustainability.Read more: Community trust eyes former polytechnic site for local use and Programmes may be discontinued at Central Campus

The Prime Minister spent Thursday mingling with Central Otago farmers and orchardists as part of a two-day visit to the south.Christopher Luxon made a guest appearance at Cromwell’s Suncrest Orchard, owned by the Jones family, and popped into the packing shed to have a catch up with local growers.Organised by Summerfruit NZ board chair Trudi Webb, the prime minister sat down amongst orchardists and talked about the upcoming RMA reforms, and asked them what the big industry issues were.“You guys do a critical job growing a world class product,” he said.Regarding the RMA reforms that would have its first reading in Parliament in two weeks, the Prime Minister said “we haven’t got time to muck around anymore.” The ‘Rural Nats’ have been holding a series of meetings around the country which started in September and finishes in February 2026, touching on policy issues that they can take back to their caucus.Associate Minister of Horticulture Nicola Grigg and Waitaki MP Miles Anderson were in attendance, along with Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley, and many horticulture industry representatives.“Trust me when I tell you, that it’s going to change your life,” Nicola said about the RMA reform.The Prime Minister chats informally with Central Otago fruit growers. The Central App photoTeviot Valley fruit grower Stephen Darling questioned the Prime Minister about the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, which he described as “virtually unworkable, and almost unaffordable.”Last season the Government capped the number of RSE workers at 20,750 for the 2024-205 season - up from 19,000, but growers have historically advocated for its removal to meet significant growth.The Prime Minister said he was interested in growers’ views on local domestic workers solving the country’s unemployment rate, which many agreed was also a big part of their workforce - along withbackpackers during the harvest season.Housing affordability came into the discussions with the Prime Minister saying the issues were all about supply, “we have tripped ourselves up in red tape.”Christopher also attended a public meeting in Tarras in the morning, where wildfire risk and invasive pests and weeds was the topic of conversation. The day before he toured a Queenstown film studio, andattended a National Party social event.After Suncrest Orchard, he was whisked away by security to head back through the Kawarau Gorge, ready to catch a plane for another event in Auckland last night.

Cromwell dog owners will lose access to two popular off-leash areas to make way for a major timber harvest, with the Central Otago District Council revealing it is investigating a solar farm as a future option for one of the sites. The Cromwell Community Board signed off on the decision on Tuesday to harvest approximately 60 hectares of council-owned pine plantation on Sandflat Road between Bannockburn and Cromwell. It follows an earlier decision approving the felling of close to 20 hectares on a separate block adjacent to Bannockburn Road. While the primary driver is the maturity of the trees and the need to clear land for an industrial subdivision on the smaller of the two sites, a report presented to the board flags a solar farm as a high- value option for the larger Sandflat Road block. Approximately 80 hectares of pines on council-owned land near Cromwell is scheduled to be felled in April. Image: CODCThe suggestion to pivot from forestry to solar generation comes just months after the controversial approval of the massive 300MW Māniatoto Plain Solar Farm near Ranfurly. Tuesday’s decision provides the green light for both the blocks to be harvested simultaneously in April. In a media statement released on Thursday (November 27), council property and facilities manager Garreth Robinson confirmed the harvest means removing the dog-walking status from both sites. "Ultimately, it’s about public safety. These plantations were never designed for recreation," Garreth said. "A potential dedicated, fenced dog-exercise area would give the community a much safer and more suitable facility into the future. In the meantime, the Alpha Street Reserve and Dustin Park in Pisa Moorings remain available for dog exercise in Cromwell." The report presented by project manager Bex Winders notes that while replanting pine is one option for the Sandflat Road block, a solar farm "may be better suited to the site’s characteristics and align with council’s sustainability and economic development goals". Pursuing this would require surrendering existing carbon credits, but the report suggests shifting focus to investments that support "innovation, resilience, and financial return" could offer greater long- term value than timber. Proceeds from the upcoming harvest are proposed to fund the investigation into these alternative uses. Cromwell Community Board chair Anna Harrison said the decision to harvest both blocks at once was the most practical and cost-effective approach. She acknowledged the loss of the “popular” dog-exercise areas will “be felt by the community”. The trees on the Sandflat Road block are more than 40 years old and delaying harvest would risk increasing maintenance costs and degrading wood quality, according to the council. A breakdown of the harvest values presented to the board suggests the trees themselves are of relatively low value compared to the land they sit on. The report estimates the 60-hectare Sandflat Road block will return approximately $141,000, while the smaller industrial site is valued at a little more than $44,000. Any surplus funds from the harvest will be used to offset costs associated with developing the Bannockburn Road site for industrial subdivision. Read more: Big Cromwell industrial block moves step closer to development 

A group of 22 Otago frontline doctors has urged the Otago Regional Council (ORC) to take stronger action on the region’s worsening winter air quality.A joint letter outlining their concerns was presented to councillors during an ORC meeting in Cromwell on Tuesday.Professor Alex McMillan and Dr Simonette Mallard briefed councillors on the significant health impacts linked to domestic fire use and vehicle emissions over winter.They said air pollution contributes to around 3300 deaths in New Zealand each year — ten times the annual road toll — and affects people inside and outside their homes.Doctors told the council that air pollution causes childhood asthma, cardiovascular and respiratory disease, including cancer, and leads to around 650 hospitalisations per year in Otago.They also highlighted the harm caused by damp, poorly ventilated homes heated with open fires, LPG heaters and stovetops, which frontline doctors say are leaving them “overwhelmed and concerned.”Clyde School pupils present their air quality project to the ORC on Tuesday. From left: Stanley Hawkins, Zofie Hammer, Korah Smith, Beau Mitchell, Sophie Crane and Sophia Hartman. Photo: The Central App WellSouth has also backed calls for the ORC to prioritise air quality funding.The letter from respiratory physicians described Alexandra, Clyde, Cromwell, Arrowtown and Milton as having “degraded” air quality during winter due to domestic fires.Doctors asked the ORC to continue funding education programmes such as Burn Dry, Breathe Easy, along with subsidies to help homeowners replace the “dirtiest burners.”They also encouraged councillors to advocate for stronger national standards, aligning New Zealand’s rules with World Health Organisation guidelines.“Alongside this investment, there also needs to be funding and support provided to enable low income households to heat their homes efficiently while generating less air pollution”.Clyde School pupils took the opportunity to present their own air quality research to the new council.The Kiwi Class created a model of the Alexandra–Clyde basin to demonstrate how winter smog becomes trapped in an inversion layer.They also surveyed 108 locals about their experiences with air pollution, and worked with air quality expert Dr Ian Longley to monitor the cleanliness and warmth of their classroom across several winter months.Ian said the pupils learned that keeping a heater on while ventilating properly is the best way to maintain clean indoor air without losing too much warmth.He told councillors that in his survey of 100 households, smoke “always finds its way inside.”Air filtration devices are effective, he said, but still “the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff.”That didn’t stop pupil Beau Mitchell from asking councillors during question time whether “the ORC could donate air cleaners to the schools?”

If the Otago Regional Council still exists next year then at least there may not be any overall rates increases for 2026-2027.At its meeting in Cromwell yesterday, councillors made what Dunstan ward councillor Michael Laws described as a “radical change” to propose the overall rates increase to 0% in its Annual Plan (2026-2027).News from central government about the possible demise of regional councils was discussed earlier in the meeting - chief executive Richard Saunders said a ‘summary’ paper would come back to theORC at its next meeting on December 9, followed by a submission period.New chair Hilary Calvert said the proposed rates increase of 14% was not acceptable, and won the motion to direct the chief executive to prepare a draft annual plan work programme and budget with0% increase in rates across the region.Richard said the rating model for Otago was complex and the nature of its public transport contracts and others meant it would be difficult, if not impossible to achieve no increase for any ratepayer.“But it is achievable in terms of an overall increase.”Cr Gary Kelliher said he wanted to be satisfied that the intent of the proposal was to create a lasting new benchmark that the ORC will work from, as opposed to a short-term one off gain.Hilary assured the council it was not a “kicking the can down the road exercise.”Meanwhile, the new governance structure involving portfolios replacing some committees was decided at the meeting.Hilary introduced the new structure at its inaugural meeting on November 5 meeting, that provides for decision-making to sit solely with council, complemented by portfolio leads. Council agreed at its last meeting to also continue consulting with mana whenua on a mutually agreeable way to incorporate representation into the new portfolio structure.Michael will lead the strategy and customer portfolio with Hilary as co-chair, Matt Holyer will lead transport with Alan Somerville, Kevin Malcolm and Chanel Gardner will lead finance, Kate Wilson andNeil Gillespie will lead policy and planning, Gary and Gretchen Robertson will lead the science and resilience portfolio, while Andrew Noone and Robbie Byars will be in charge of environmentaldelivery.Neil will represent the ORC on The Otago Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group Joint Committee, while Matt will join Gretchen on the Otago Central Lakes Regional Deal NegotiationCommittee.Kate will chair the Otago Regional Transport Committee, and Kevin will co-chair the audit and risk committee with Andrew Douglas as an independent member.Michael’s notice of motion to form a working party to review the ‘Strategic Directions 2024-2034’ document, ensuring alignment with the newly elected governance team, was won 8-4.New Dunstan ward councillors Neil and Matt voted against the motion, along with Alan and former chair Gretchen.The working party will be chaired by Michael and include Kevin, Hilary and Kate - the four highest polling candidates from the election.Michael made a comment that the direction of the new council was now “fundamentally different.”

Health New Zealand planners admit Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes patients are undertaking roughly 60,000 travel events annually that "shouldn't be happening", as they respond to a deadline from the Health Minister to deliver a new service plan before Christmas. The admission came during a community meeting in Cromwell yesterday (Wednesday, November 26), where officials signaled a departure from standard planning models to cope with the region's unique growth. Rachel Haggerty, Health New Zealand’s national director of strategy, planning and performance, told the meeting the current reliance on Dunedin and Invercargill for routine care was placing an unsustainable burden on patients. "We've identified...about 60,000 travel events that shouldn't be happening when people are having to drive to Dunedin or Invercargill," Rachel said. She described the reality for many locals - driving hours for a 10-minute appointment or a simple diagnostic test - as a failure of localised service delivery. "10 minutes in a room, half an hour...in a waiting room, and you go, 'Why did I do that? Was that worth it?'" The urgency to fix this disparity has escalated to the Beehive, with Rachel confirming the current process is operating under strict time pressure from Health Minister Simeon Brown. She told the meeting the minister has "really leaned into this", demanding a set of options and advice be on his desk before Christmas. "He's said, 'I want to understand, I want to know what the options or the solutions are...I then want to take it away with me and think about it over that period of time,'" Rachel said. This accelerated timeline reflects growing pressure from local community leaders who have long argued the region's health infrastructure has been outpaced by population growth. The proposed solution, however, may not look like the traditional “base hospital" model many residents expect.  Instead, officials outlined a strategy focused on "ambulatory" and digital care, bringing high-frequency treatments into local communities to wipe out those 60,000 trips. Rachel pointed to chemotherapy treatments, renal dialysis, and advanced radiology (CT and MRI) as services that advances in technology and safety protocols now allow to be delivered safely in primary care settings or rural hospitals like Dunstan and Lakes District.The goal is to handle "infrequent events" (like major surgery) in Dunedin or Invercargill, but keep "high frequency" care (like cancer treatment) local. "We are moving towards a service that is closer to communities, closer to people's homes," she said. While digital appointments can solve some travel woes, officials acknowledged they cannot solve one of the region’s most emotive pinch points: maternity care. With no surgical obstetric service in the region, women requiring emergency C-sections face high-risk transfers to Dunedin or Invercargill. "One of the big issues we've identified here, of course, is obstetrics," Rachel told the meeting.  "What we know about obstetric care is things can turn on a dime...it is something that we really see as quite a stressful issue for people." While stopping short of promising a fully staffed surgical unit immediately, she noted the status quo of relying solely on midwives without local specialist backup was a key focus of the report going to the minister. Underpinning the entire plan is a significant shift in how the government counts the local population. Typically, Health NZ uses conservative ("medium") growth projections. However, Rachel confirmed they are now using "high" projections for this region - a move she noted they "would not do elsewhere in New Zealand". She debunked the myth Central Otago is simply an aging retirement hub.  Instead of the traditional "population pyramid" (lots of young people, few old) or the "inverted pyramid" of retirement zones, this region has become a "rectangle". "[Which] has meant you've got a bit of everything going on here," she said. It means the health system is being hit from both sides: a boom in maternity and pediatric demand from young families, simultaneously with high-complexity care needed for retirees. With major private infrastructure proposals on the table - including the Roa hospital project in Wānaka and discussions around the Regional Deal - questions were raised about whether Health NewZealand is negotiating directly with developers to fill gaps. Rachel was firm the planning process begins with clinical need, not with what developers are offering to build. "Clinical service planning is not about who provides it. It's about what do you need...[then] we form a view around the utility of some of those [private options] and...provide advice to the minister," shesaid. She clarified that developers do not negotiate directly with Minister Brown, who relies on Health New Zealand to assess which private proposals are clinically useful. Health New Zealand Southern chief medical officer Dr David Gow added the clinical team had been vigilant against "anchoring bias" - the risk of warping the regional health plan simply to fit around aprivate developer's pitch. "That is one of the concerns that underpinned when we set off on this process...whether or not there would be anchoring bias relating to some of the opportunities that came through," David said. He said he was "incredibly reassured" the process had remained unconstrained, focusing on patient safety and network needs rather than commercial opportunities. However, Rachel noted private investors remain free to build facilities regardless of government contracts.  "They don't need a minister...to do that. And so that's important that people have those choices." Detailed planning on the preferred options is expected to begin in 2026, following the minister’s review of the advice over the summer break.  

The Earnscleugh Hall is coming up 100 years in November 2026, and the planning is already underway for its Centenary.Officially opened in October 1926, the hall is still used regularly - including last weekend for its biannual fundraising fair.Earnscleugh Community Society chair Angela McNaughton said the centenary will be held on the weekend of November 14th and 15th, and the timing was perfect as the hall restoration should becompleted by then.She said descendants of many early Earnscleugh families continue to reside in the wider Central Otago area and they hope that they will join in the celebrations at the hall Centenary.“We are aware that there will be people of all ages who may be interested in attending one or more of a variety of events over the weekend, so there will be multiple events to try and cover different agegroups interests.”Earnscleugh fair stallholders Camille Alabaster and Jenny Knowles selling their wares at the weekend. Photo:The Central App The organising committee has been meeting with a number of older residents to explore the history of the area, which began with gold mining, then moved onto farming, horticulture and more recentlyfloriculture.“A number of differing ideas are being considered at present… and the committee is looking at the Earnscleugh Hall’s role in the community as a centre for social connection in this area over the last100 years.”Many people in the wider area of Alexandra and Clyde remember attending regular dances through the war years and up until the 1980s, and the hall was used by sports clubs such as badminton,indoor bowls, scouts and tennis.The former church located next to the hall was deconsecrated around 1990, and has been owned by the same family since then for use as a holiday home.She said beside the church is the former Earnscleugh Primary School which also operated for about 30 years from the early 1900s. The very well-known local gardening identity Gladys McArthur B.E.M. was born in Conroys Gully in 1905, attended the Earnscleugh Primary School, and returned to teach at the school in the 1920safter studying to become a teacher.

A proposed pricing structure for the new $46 million Cromwell event centre has come under fire from Cromwell Community Board member Mike Casey, who warns the facility is being undervalued before the doors even open. The community board met on Tuesday (November 25) to review a tiered fee schedule designed to ensure the new venue remains affordable for local groups while charging for businesses. The report presented to the board suggested a 70/30 split, aiming for 70 per cent community use and 30 per cent commercial, with ratepayers expected to subsidise roughly 66 per cent of the facility’s operating costs. Under the proposal, a commercial operator would pay $4,000 to hire the main auditorium for a full day, while a non-profit community group would pay just $560 for the same slot. However, Mike challenged the figures, arguing the commercial rates were set far too low for a facility of this calibre. The replacement for the Cromwell Memorial Hall is scheduled to open mid-2026. Image: The Central AppHe cautioned the board against adopting a ‘deficit mindset’ from day one. "I think that’s the wrong approach from the word go," he said. He argued by capping commercial revenue so low, the board risked anchoring the facility's financial performance to a loss, rather than testing what the market would actually pay. He pointed to the private sector, suggesting the board needed to benchmark its rates against hotels and conference venues in Queenstown and Wānaka. Mike’s concerns found immediate support with other elected members, and board chair Anna Harrison and Cromwell ward councillor Sarah Brown echoed his sentiment that the proposed commercialpricing needed further thought by council staff. However, council group manager for community experience David Scoones said staff needed some pricing guidance immediately to handle a growing list of booking enquiries. "[We have] quite a few people starting to enquire," he said. He noted community groups in particular wanted some certainty to start planning their 2026 calendars. The new Cromwell events centre is under construction on Melmore Terrace overlooking Lake Dunstan. Image: The Central AppTo balance the two needs, the board directed staff to go back and lift the bar on the commercial pricing structure, while effectively giving the green light for community bookings to proceed under the proposed lower rates. The board suggested the RSA not be charged for its use of the new facility.The meeting also tackled the thorny issue of what to call the building. Replacing the old Cromwell Memorial Hall, the new facility has faced an identity crisis: should it retain the "Cromwell memorial" title to honour the RSA legacy, or adopt a name like "Central Otago Events Centre" to reflect its regional scope? Rather than selecting a shortlist of names for the public to be consulted on, the board opted for an open mind. Sarah told The Central App after the meeting the board asked for a "short, sharp" community consultation early next year to gather ideas for an English name, which will sit alongside a te reo Māori name gifted by mana whenua. Sarah described the plan as a "member-led" process designed to avoid constraining the community with pre-selected options. A workshop on the topic is scheduled for February 4, with the public campaign to follow. The proposed price of admission: The auditorium - full day (8am-11pm) Commercial (Proposed): $4,000 (Board has directed this be increased) Community (Ticketed): $650 Community (Non-ticketed): $560 The auditorium - evening session (5hrs) Commercial (Proposed): $800 (Board has directed this be increased) Community (Ticketed): $425 Community (Non-Ticketed): $350 Large flexible space - full day Commercial (Proposed): $600 (Board has directed this be increased) Community (Ticketed): $300 Community (Non-Ticketed): $100 Medium community space - hourlyCommercial (Proposed): $90 (Board has directed this be increased) Community (Ticketed): $40Community (Non-Ticketed): $20Who fits which tier? Commercial: Businesses, profit-driven events Community 1: Local groups charging an entry fee (e.g. theatre shows) Community 2: Local groups with free/donation entry (e.g. meetings)