Central Otago District mayor Tim Cadogan has a few items and challenges on his calendar in the new year, and top of his list is officially cutting the ribbon to open the Lake Dunstan water supply plant above Clyde.

The mayor traces his involvement in the project back to 2008, when he was first elected to the Vincent Community Board. 

“We were well into the process of trying to get Alexandra’s high line water problem sorted. That’s going to be a real highlight in 2023,” he said

“I’m looking forward to the people of Alexandra and Clyde getting fully compliant water.” 

The Lake Dunstan water supply project is nearing completion

The Central App sat down with the mayor before his Christmas break, and asked for his thoughts on the year ahead.

Tim also highlighted three significant reforms on the horizon in 2023, which he sees as challenging for the council and the community: Three Waters; the reform of the Resource Management Act; and a review of how local government in New Zealand gets things done.

“The review looks at how the whole local government sector does stuff. It’s been 30 years since we’ve had a review like this,” he said.

“I think it offers us fantastic opportunities here in Central Otago and in the broader inland Otago to do some stuff perhaps a bit better than we’ve been able to in the past.”

At a national level, Tim highlighted the coming general election. 

“I hope we get through that without too much bitterness and vitriol, but I’m not too sure how that will go, but that’s looking like it’s going to maybe mean some changes for us as well, which is going to be an interesting time.” 

Click on the video link below to hear everything the mayor had to say about the upcoming year.