Central Otago District Council (CODC) has announced the annual closure of roads for winter to begin 8 June. 

Central Otago Council maintains approximately 400km of back country tracks and closes certain roads to prevent damage if they were used by vehicles during the winter months.

These are typically dry weather roads that are formed in areas where winter weather conditions are harsh and challenging topography exists. 

These are generally used for farm and recreational access. These roads are not maintained during winter.

These roads require a suitable vehicle with the appropriate ground clearance. During extreme weather events, these roads may be difficult and require advanced driving skills. 

During winter a number of these roads are closed as use during the winter would result in damage to the road. 

Due to the low volume of traffic on these roads and the cost to all ratepayers to maintain them, these roads are not graded very often and generally have a rough surface.

The following roads have been closed for winter (closed from 8 June and re-opened on the 30 September): 

• Lake Onslow Road from Linnburn Runs Road (Blackball) to boundary gate at Lake Onslow
• Old Dunstan Road from Paerau Road / Upper Taieri-Paerau Rd, (Styx) to gate on Dunedin City Council boundary. Dunedin City Council will also close their section of this road through to Rocklands Road.
• Nevis Road from Commissioners Creek to Southland District boundary
• Bridge Huts Road from bridge 185
• Upper Manorburn Dam Road from Aston Road
• Old Dunstan Road from Linnburn Runs Road to Poolburn Dam (This section of the Old Dunstan road will be closed from the 8 June and re-open 22 October).

The roads are legally closed under Section 342 (1)(b) of the Local Government Act 1974 and Clause 13 of the Tenth Schedule, which allow Council to temporarily close and prohibit ordinary vehicular traffic.