The Otago Regional Council (ORC) has extended the period for submissions on its Long-term Plan for 2021-31 following problems with the delivery of hard copies of the consultation document.

The consultation period closes on Sunday May 9, but the council has confirmed it would accept submissions until Sunday May 16.

ORC chair Andrew Noone said interest in the Long-term Plan (LTP) so far had been high, with more than 4,000 people visiting the online consultation page.

“We want people to get involved and have their say on how we manage Otago’s natural resources over the next ten years,” he said.

The draft plan, which includes a hefty proposed total rates increase of 47.5 per cent in year one, sets out an ambitious programme of improvements to meet the growing expectations for Otago’s environmental management. 

The ORC is asking for feedback in three specific areas: biosecurity service levels and funding, how to balance the LTP budget, and how to spread the cost to rehabilitate Lake Hayes.

The council is running an extensive advertising campaign to promote the LTP, alongside the consultation document.

The ORC recently learned the consultation document was not delivered to all parts of Otago: most of Cromwell, central Oamaru, and most of Mosgiel, as well as some parts of Dunedin and Balclutha were missed during the delivery process, making up approximately 12 per cent of the total consultation documents.

“Staff are making additional copies of the consultation document available at libraries and most supermarkets in the affected areas, so that anyone who would like a physical copy can easily access one,” Andrew said. 

“In addition, people can call our 0800 number to request a physical copy be delivered to their house. The full consultation document is also available on the ORC website.”

Councillors at an extraordinary meeting on Thursday (April 29) apologised for the incomplete delivery and agreed to extend the submissions period to May 16.

View the Long-term Plan 2021-31 and the consultation document and make a submission here.

PHOTO: Wanaka App