Vincent and Maniototo Community Boards are on board, the Teviot is not so sure and Cromwell Community Board members have all signed a letter to council disagreeing entirely with the new local government review.

Central Otago District Council chief executive Peter Kelly was expecting Cromwell to make a submission like the Teviot Valley is planning, but in its governance letter supplied to media yesterday, the contents painted a different picture.

“The contents of this position statement dated 7 February 2024 do not constitute a submission from the Cromwell Community Board,” the letter started.

“The Cromwell Community Board (CCB) disagrees entirely with the proposal to change its delegations as detailed in Agenda Item 24.1.3 presented to the Board at its meeting on 23 January 2024." 

The board has been inundated by members of the public concerned that the council would be taking away its assets to fund district infrastructure projects.

Some people believe the proposed changes don't acknowledge the history of Cromwell and the promises and assurance that were given to the community prior to the Clyde Dam being built.

As a result the CCB asked that the council investigate the districtisation of all functions currently undertaken within delegations held by community boards.

The CCB stated that it was concerned about the lack of consultation and time given to make a submission as that was a requirement of the current delegations.

Before the CCB made a submission, it has also asked to see a register of land (including but not limited to area, current usage, any current statutory restrictions, hazards, zoning, development potential, current and potential developed value), resources and assets within each ward across the district.

“This will enable CCB to better understand the likely implications of a change to the delegations for the CCB, but also for the other community boards within the Central Otago District.”

The letter concluded that the CCB maintains that removing or amending delegations as currently proposed will ultimately require a conversation about districtisation and that this proposal is approaching the conversation the wrong way round. 

“Understanding the impact of districtisation on rates and levels of service for each ward should come first. Changing delegations without this understanding will lead to unintended consequences across the district that have impacts for all wards - not just Cromwell.”

Read more: Central Otago community boards under local government review