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 Reform

The 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 Reform

A 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 Standards

Yesterday 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 Picture

Local 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!