A refresh of strategic direction is on the cards for the Otago Regional Council, as it signs off and releases its Annual Report this week.

Chairwoman Gretchen Robertson said it has been a busy year, but in looking to the future, the organisation recognises there’s more work to be done.

“Our focus was not only on delivering efficient services to the people of Otago, but on supporting community-led environmental initiatives for positive outcomes,” she said.

The Annual Report will be considered by councillors at a full meeting in Dunedin tomorrow.

Cr Robertson said during the year council refreshed ORC’s strategic directions, setting clear goals and focus areas to realise its vision for Otago — "where our environment and communities thrive, ki uta ki tai (from the mountains to the sea).”

“To the backdrop of a challenging economic climate, and with proposed Government legislative changes still underway, we placed a strong emphasis on delivering a long-term plan which achieves organisational efficiencies, ensuring we give value for ratepayers’ money while continuing to sustain healthy and connected communities.”

The development of a new Land and Water Regional Plan had been a priority for the regional council, with a work programme in place to achieve a notification decision this month.

However, a shock Government announcement yesterday stated the Government would add an amendment to the Resource Management Act Amendment Bill restricting regional councils’ ability to notify freshwater plans.

The move saw ORC cancel today's voting on the matter.

The Manuherikia River near Alexandra. More community-led environmental initiatives are on the cards for the Otago Regional Council in the next year. FILE SHOT

In ORC’s environmental monitoring and regulatory roles, Cr Robertson said staff completed 1411 compliance checks, including consent audits, dairy inspections, and forestry site visits, while the Pollution Hotline handled 1095 incidents, with 101 formal enforcement actions taken in 2023-24.

She was “really pleased” that the annual ECO Fund was fully subscribed, again, this year, which supported targeted and general community environmental projects.

“We’ve also actively fostered community-led catchment management initiatives in the Catlins and Upper Lakes,” she said.

“Our valued partnership with mana whenua in Otago continues to underpin much of our work programme, with positive water enhancement work continuing through these partnerships.”

For the year ahead, Cr Robertson said climate change remained a crucial focus area for the regional council.

“This year, councillors endorsed the draft Strategic Climate Action Plan, and we’re now looking forward to seeking community input on this important initiative.”

The regional council’s work on a variety of natural hazards adaptation programmes continued for South Dunedin, the Clutha Delta, and Glenorchy/Head of Lake Whakatipu, while climate resilience projects for its flood schemes have made significant progress, she said.

Chief Executive Richard Saunders said that while he was pleased 48 targets were achieved overall, it showed there was more work for the organisation to do in setting its work programme and delivering those things for the community. 

“We did however achieve some great results in the face of challenging and changing times throughout the year, and especially in the Safety and Resilience sector, which met 11 targets, and missed none,” he said.

He noted that under Safety and Resilience was management of Flood Protection and Emergency Management, both of which were under duress earlier this month around coastal Otago and some places inland, but both were reported to have functioned well and helped keep communities safe.

He said of the 25 targets not achieved, a number were linked to the deadline for the final delivery of reports, reviews and plans, many of which had since been completed and were pending formal delivery.