Only 86 of the 902 submitters will be sharing their Central Otago District Council Long Term Plan (LTP) submission in a hearing which starts in Alexandra today - but the number is a new record.

There have been some very strong messages coming through, and issues that stood out predominantly were community halls proposed to be divested across the district - particularly in the Maniototo, future ownership of the Roxburgh Pool and whether the Alexandra outdoor one should remain open during summer.

Former ACT MP and once Otago regional councillor Gerry Eckhoff had some interesting words to say on the closure of community buildings in his written submission.

“Most will remember when post offices were closed, and the social trauma that caused, yet many years later it’s as if post offices never existed.”

Investing $250,000 in Supercars was seen by many submitters speaking today as unwise investment in uncertain economic times, and yet two people suggested water slides might make Alexandra a better holiday destination.

Of the 454 submissions on whether to close the Alexandra outdoor pool, only 157 supported that option while 297 people strongly supported retaining the facility.

Surprisingly, some Teviot Valley submitters didn’t want the district council to own their pool, reflecting a clear divide in the community about the future of the Ida Macdonald Punawai Ora asset.

But overall, of the 358 submissions on the issue, 232 were in support of council ownership, and only 126 against.

Of the 86 submitters speaking, 24 were from the Vincent ward, 12 from Cromwell, nine from the Maniototo - the majority of which were passionate about retaining their community halls, and eight from Teviot Valley.

Various community groups and committees submitted on their individual halls in Patearoa, Wedderburn, Waipiata, Ophir, Poolburn, as well as in Clyde and Millers Flat.

A total of 59.3% of submitters were individuals and 40.7% from community groups and organisations.

The 902 submissions (+ extra 300+ from a student survey) was a new record for council - the last Long Term Plan (2021-2031) had 851 - the previous highest number, and for the 2018-2028 LTP there was only 478 submissions.

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