Districtisation of services will become a reality in Central Otago, despite 75 per cent of submitters being opposed to council’s proposal.

The Central Otago District Council (CODC) voted by a majority today to go ahead with a district-wide rating of property, parks, cemeteries, pools and museums, but with an adjustment for the Teviot Valley ward to offset its new pool costs.

There were 336 submissions on the proposal and results showed respondents overwhelmingly indicated a preference for the status quo to remain.

The majority of respondents were from Cromwell Ward, with 231 out of 336 (68 per cent).

Deputy Mayor Neil Gillespie said it was unfortunate that the process had been “hijacked” by an interpretation of some of the information that was out there.

He was referring to the accusations from many Cromwell submitters who believed the process was just a “land grab” by council of its endowment land.

But Mayor Tim Cadogan said if that was council’s intent, “then this conversation would be largely us going to the minister to do just that. But it’s not a consideration because if it was, we’d be doing it.”

Submitters who spoke at council in support of districtisation included Alexandra businessman George Collier, who said Central Otago had some big challenges ahead, “and we need to think as a district - as one district.”

He thanked councillors for their work on districtisation and wished them luck on their difficult decision.

Councillors were surprised just how few submitters actually chose to speak to council about their views, with only 14 out of 336 fronting up either in person or online on Tuesday evening.

“I feel defeated,” Mayor Cadogan said, when the public gallery was virtually empty, for what was one of the most important decisions council has had to make in years.

The CODC held numerous public meetings to consult the public on its plans to districtise services; 12 people attended the Maniototo session, 49 in the Teviot, only eight in Alexandra and 91 in Cromwell.

Council has undertaken districtisation of activities previously, namely three waters and roading, and while having varying impacts on rates across the wards these have advantaged smaller and more rural areas. 

Both the Cromwell and Teviot community boards did not support the proposal to further districtise services, whereas the Vincent Community Board did. The Maniototo Community Board did not express a formal written view of the proposal. 

Read more: Community boards vital amid districtisation

Read more: Big discussions had around districtisation