Omakau’s new $5.2million community hub is on track to be built at the end of 2025.But there was still a possible $1.6million shortfall once all fundraising and grants opportunities had been exhausted.At its meeting in Omakau yesterday, the Vincent Community Board (VCB) agreed yesterday to support additional council funding for the Manuherekia Valleys Community Hub to cover the shortfall.Another report would come back to the board and the Central Otago District Council in February, once construction costs and the shortfall for the project was finalised.The board heard from Manuherekia Valleys Charitable Trust (MVCT) chair Andrew Paterson who said the 948sqm building in the domain would replace the existing hall and rugby clubrooms, and also feature a stage for school pupils to host productions.“The end is in sight, so we’re pretty excited to take this forward,” he said.In June 2021, Council adopted the Long-term Plan 2021/31 with a council contribution of $1 million included for the hub in 2023/24. The design for the building had progressed and plans were ready for tender and building consent. The MVCT has also secured a $600,000 grant from the Bob Turnbull Trust, $80,000 from Matakanui Rugby Club, and $50,000 in donations.Andrew said discussions with Central Lakes Trust meant it was likely to fund 20 per cent of the build - bringing in another $900,000.Otago Community Trust (OCT) and Lotteries had also indicated they would support the project up to about $1,900,000.The current shortfall for the project was expected to be reduced over the next six months as further fundraising initiatives were progressed by the MVCT. Council property officer Tara Bates said MVCT was very committed to continue with its fundraising efforts with applications to other funders, securing more corporate sponsorship and community donations, as well as holding multiple fundraising events.Proceeds from the sale of the old Omakau Hall would also go towards the hub project and it was expected to go on the market in the next few weeks.Detailed options would be provided to the board for how the shortfall could be funded either through debt or from general reserves.

Damage in the Maniototo resulting from October’s Otago-wide flooding event is estimated to cost the Central Otago District Council almost $1million.Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) will only subsidise $500,000 of the response and recovery, leaving district councillors to decide whether to pay for the remaining cost out of its roading budget or district-wide emergency works fund.A report from the infrastructure team presented to Council last week outlined the full extent of the significant event, which resulted in washouts, blocked culverts and temporary road closures.The region's aging network of bridges saw several structures damaged and repair work was being planned and underway.Rainfall data from both Dansey Pass Hotel and Waipiata showed both areas had 131mm in 48 hours - just short of a one in 30 year rainfall event (132mm).Maximum rainfall fell over Otago during the October 4 event. PHOTO: ORCOther weather events in recent years also caused damage resulting in $103,986 being funded from the Emergency Event Reserve for Bridge 93 on St Bathans Loop Road (2023), and a further $89,795 spent from the same reserve fund for repairs across theroading network following the September 2023 rain and wind event.The district council has applied to NZTA for the 51 per cent funding under the Emergency Works category, and decided last week to fund the remaining $480,494 under its roading emergency works reserve account.The question to councillors was whether the October rain event was a roading emergency or a council-wide emergency.The decision councillors made impacted on ratepayers and on which ‘bucket’ of funding the emergency works came out of, but after some double checking of figures, it was decided the roading works reserve was the one to be used.The infrastructure team explained that while the council-wide emergency works reserve account had $2.6million, and the roading emergency works reserve account was in deficit by $525,000, they did have the option to rebuild it again in coming years.The 2024/25 Annual Plan has also budgeted to reduce the deficit by $162k. Additionally, planning for the 2025 Long Term Plan (LTP) would consider what rate the roading emergency works reserve account deficit would be reduced. 

A review of 44 of Central Otago’s bridges found 15 aging ones needed new weight limit amendments, due to changes in their structural condition.A report commissioned for the Central Otago District Council found a further 10 bridges with no previous restrictions would also be updated with new postings, and some bridges had reduced speed limits.A staff report with recommendations from roading asset engineer Holly Laverick and infrastructure manager Quinton Pennial was signed off by councillors last week.Bridge postings played a vital role in maintaining road safety and protecting structures from the risks posed by overloading. Restrictions on heavy vehicle speed and weight limits were applied to safeguard structures that have deteriorated or were designed with lower capacities than modern General Access Limits.   Posting a bridge involved setting a maximum weight limit per axle and/or the gross vehicle weight. In many cases, a speed limit was also enforced to reduce the dynamic effects of vehicles on the bridge, further protecting its structural integrity, the report said.Signs were installed at each bridge approach to reflect the limits, and the chartered structural engineer carrying out the review inspected those that were either nearing the end of their life, or had structural elements that could affect performance.From the review there were still 19 bridges that didn’t require any changes to their weight limits.Ophir Bridge: The Daniel O’Connell suspension bridge was constructed between 1879 and 1880. The bridges speed limit was reduced in the review. PHOTO: FILEThe report identified several bridges as the only access point to properties, “and although the postings do not make the road inaccessible, they do affect how heavy vehicles use the bridges’’.Affected parties were contacted to determine the main uses of the bridges, such as light vehicles, farm equipment and stock or fertiliser trucks, and whether alternative access was available.The report also outlined two situations where posted bridges affected all available routes to large areas.Strengthening works had been arranged with the aim of providing at least one route suitable for Class 1 heavy vehicles. “For example, the Swinburn Back Road Bridge is scheduled for pile strengthening. Once these works are completed, the bridge's posting will be reassessed.”   Bridge 64 (Ida Valley-Omakau Road) was initially recommended to be posted but has been re-evaluated after additional supporting documentation was provided and was no longer considered necessary.

The Bendigo-Tarras area is becoming increasingly popular with horticulture developments, and a new application has been lodged with the Central Otago District Council.This month the hearings panel will consider an application from NZ Properties Ltd for an 86ha subdivision on Ardgour Road - developed into eight separate blocks for smaller-scale horticulture/viticulture use.The application stated residential buildings were not anticipated in the development, but would still be somewhat enabled through the subdivision, as a single residential unit or accommodation for workers could be established through the approval of restricted discretionary consents.A productivity report from horticultural consultant Earnscy Weaver showed seven lots were suitable for viticulture and horticulture use and a range of fruit - from raspberries, cherries, grapes, stone and pip fruit - could be successfully grown there -.But cherries grown on a corporate scale in Central Otago had become difficult in recent economic times, “with a limited number of survivors,’’ Earnscy said.Council planning consultant Tim Anderson recommended the consent be approved and noted from the Weaver report the land was suitable for a range of potential uses.“The conversion to intensive horticultural and viticultural uses, could provide a level of productivity considerably higher than the existing pastoral use of the land…”Earnscy recommended there was more of a market for smaller operations and as result identified cherry growing as being viable on 2ha blocks.   The proposal for the subdivision was for a range of 8ha to 24ha lots, but only a smaller portion of each block was actual plantable area, he said. Tim said while he accepted his comments, they only reflected the economic climate in the short-term and suggested market conditions in the future could be more favourable to larger scale horticulture production.The hearing takes place on December 10 and will be heard by councillors Neil Gillespie, Martin McPherson and Ian Cooney.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

The Teviot Valley Spatial Plan was signed off by the Central Otago District Council this week.It was the third spatial planning project undertaken by the council in recent years, following the Cromwell Masterplan and the Vincent Spatial Plan.The plan was designed to provide direction for growth and development of Roxburgh, Lake Roxburgh Village, Ettrick and Millers Flat for the next 30 years. Council’s adoption of the plan enabled plan changes in the Teviot Valley to progress and provided land for housing for the next three decades and beyond, along with a range of housing types to meet demand. It would also help deliver more affordable houses (on smaller sections), such as medium density infill housing in the centre of Roxburgh township, bringing vibrancy back to the main commercial area. A height restriction of two storeys was considered appropriate by the community for this zoning in Roxburgh, given the existing character and heritage of the town.The plan also allowed for a consolidated ribbon of Large Lot Residential along part of Roxburgh East Road and Ladysmith Road. The land to the north of this Large Lot Residential zoning being retained as Rural aligned with current use and reflected the community’s desire to protect productive rural land on the outskirts of Roxburgh.A new settlement zone replaced the existing Low Density residential areas in Ettrick, Millers Flat and Roxburgh Village. The settlement zoning allowed some flexibility in the development of residential, small-scale commercial, light industrial and/or community activities that would fit with and add benefit to the township;The plan also allowed for cycle trail connections between the existing Roxburgh Gorge and Clutha Gold trails and Ettrick.Speaking in the public forum at the meeting, Teviot Valley Community Board chair Norm Dalley said the cycle trails had been cited as important to Teviot's economic development.In her report to council, principal policy planner Ann Rodgers said that by taking a long-term approach, the plan would ensure the towns continued to be places that supported healthy and vibrant communities, and inform future land use patterns and decisions about potentialnew zonings in the Central Otago District Plan.“It is a high-level blueprint for the future that ensures growth can occur in a positive and sustainable way and allows consideration of growth before it happens.”The spatial plan was a collaboration between the CODC, the community and the Teviot Valley Community Board, Aukaha, the Otago Regional Council, industry representatives and business owners.It took place between late 2022 and July this year.At the meeting, Ann expressed her appreciation for the input received."We are very grateful for the generosity of the participants who invested a great deal of their time to help us."In addition to working with the key stakeholder group, the spatial plan team held multiple, well attended public meetings across the valley, almost filling the Ettrick and Millers Flat halls, to find out about community aspirations. The team also met with pupils at Roxburgh Area School.Ann also talked about the Teviot's unique challenges such as alluvial fan hazards that run through the Roxburgh township, and was working with the regional council, which was in the process of evaluating tenders for the investigation area.The community chose to plan for aspirational growth, which is 50 per cent greater than growth predictions indicated; this allows an additional 540 new homes in the Teviot Valley during the next 30 years.It was also important to the community that productive soils were retained and there was as little movement into rural land.For more information about the Teviot Valley Spatial Plan go to here

The ground work has been completed, but the $45.8million Cromwell Memorial Hall, Museum and Arts Centre project has already dipped into its contingency fund.In a report presented to the Central Otago District Council (CODC) on Wednesday, property and facilities manager Garreth Robinson said asbestos removal during the demolition phase, along with historic underground pipes having to be moved had resulted in a $760,000overspend.That amount was made of $128,000 asbestos removal, $310,000 in ground material and $323,000 three waters.“Consumption of the contingency has been slightly higher than expected, placing pressure on the fixed budget,” he said.However, given the ground works were now completed, those variations were expected to be reduced.  Deputy Mayor Neil Gillespie told the meeting that while the extra costs were small in the bigger scheme of things, they were not insignificant.He questioned “how can we get things so wrong?”Speaking to The Central App after the meeting Cr Gillespie said the existing pipework was discovered to be in a different place than originally thought, so they had to be moved before additional work could be done.“The records showed where the infrastructure was, and it was not where it was.”“I’m not blaming the contractor because they were told the pipes were here and they were somewhere different, but it’s a huge amount of money.”Garreth said structural steel had now been erected on two thirds of the building and the building was “effectively out of the ground,” with the last concrete slab pour carried out last week on November 15.The extra remedial work pushed back the project by 19 days however the first number of precast slabs (33) were on track for arrival in early December.Concept plans for the new $45.8 million facility in Cromwell. CODC PHOTOArchitectural firm Jasmax designed the multi-purpose facility, replacing its 60-year-old predecessor on Melmore Tce overlooking Lake Dunstan.Construction is being undertaken by Naylor Love.As part of the projects the War Memorial commemorating the fallen from the last century’s two World Wars will be retained and relocated to the new building’s entry. The facility will feature a 400-seat auditorium space alongside a new museum that connects to the Old Cromwell Town and Heritage Precinct. Also included in the development are a café, 40-seat cinema and community and event spaces overlooking the lakeside.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

The ground work has been completed, but the $45.8million Cromwell Memorial Hall, Museum and Arts Centre project has already dipped into its contingency fund.In a report presented to the Central Otago District Council (CODC) on Wednesday, property and facilities manager Garreth Robinson said asbestos removal during the demolition phase, along with historic underground pipes having to be moved had resulted in a $760,000overspend.That amount was made of $128,000 asbestos removal, $310,000 in ground material and $323,000 three waters.“Consumption of the contingency has been slightly higher than expected, placing pressure on the fixed budget,” he said.However, given the ground works were now completed, those variations were expected to be reduced.  Deputy Mayor Neil Gillespie told the meeting that while the extra costs were small in the bigger scheme of things, they were not insignificant.He questioned “how can we get things so wrong?”Speaking to The Central App after the meeting Cr Gillespie said the existing pipework was discovered to be in a different place than originally thought, so they had to be moved before additional work could be done.“The records showed where the infrastructure was, and it was not where it was.”“I’m not blaming the contractor because they were told the pipes were here and they were somewhere different, but it’s a huge amount of money.”Garreth said structural steel had now been erected on two thirds of the building and the building was “effectively out of the ground,” with the last concrete slab pour carried out last week on November 15.The extra remedial work pushed back the project by 19 days however the first number of precast slabs (33) were on track for arrival in early December.Concept plans for the new $45.8 million facility in Cromwell. CODC PHOTOArchitectural firm Jasmax designed the multi-purpose facility, replacing its 60-year-old predecessor on Melmore Tce overlooking Lake Dunstan.Construction is being undertaken by Naylor Love.As part of the projects the War Memorial commemorating the fallen from the last century’s two World Wars will be retained and relocated to the new building’s entry. The facility will feature a 400-seat auditorium space alongside a new museum that connects to the Old Cromwell Town and Heritage Precinct. Also included in the development are a café, 40-seat cinema and community and event spaces overlooking the lakeside.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

A Cromwell woman had her arm wedged in a car door as her partner sped away with their two-year-old daughter, following a domestic incident early Saturday morning.Alexandra Police Senior Constable Graham Perkins said the woman managed to finally pull free from the vehicle and was taken to Dunstan Hospital with suspected injuries.Police were called after the male partner woke the household at 5am following an argument the night before, and then tried to take off with the child in the car.The female got into the vehicle to calm him down and he drove off at speed erratically towards Roxburgh, but was turned around by police and told to go home.Snr Const Perkins said the man then saw messages from his partner to police on her phone while he was driving, calling for help, and “lost the plot.”He packed up again in Cromwell with the two-year-old, and this time the woman was unsuccessful at stopping him, trapping her arm in the window as he drove away.Police were called and could not locate him but eventually he was pulled over at Waihola, where he failed to remain with officers.Negotiators tried to convince the man to hand himself in but he continued to drive away, eventually heading back to Alexandra where he finally came into the station and was arrested.He was transported to Queenstown Police Station where bail was opposed and was currently facing charges of assault, failing to remain, with other charges pending.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected] 

Molyneux Stadium will have $5.63million spent on it over the next nine years to make the aging building fit for purpose.The Central Otago District Council agreed yesterday to go ahead with a staged investment approach for maintenance and compliance work, starting with roof repairs, external painting and the replacement of external cladding.An estimated $1.2million has been confirmed in the draft Long-term Plan 2025-34, following a building condition assessment, funded through Vincent Community Board Reserves.A further $4.430,000 has been approved for earthquake strengthening, required asbestos removal, and fire safety and accessibility compliance work in 2027-28.Toilets and changing rooms would be replaced in 2028-29 with new acoustic ceiling panels and showers in 2032-33.“The building has good bones,” Cr Martin McPherson said.A report from property officer Tara Bates said Molyneux Stadium was a highly utilised community facility with multiple spaces, including a gymnasium, changing rooms, and other rooms leased by local sports organisations. A 2020 detailed seismic assessment rated the stadium as under 20 per cent of the New Build Standard (NBS) which meant an increased life safety risk in the event of a major earthquake compared to a new building. The building also lacked adequate accommodations for people with disabilities, which meant modifications were required to improve accessibility. Fire safety systems required upgrades, including alarms, lighting, and potentially a sprinkler system. Without maintenance, the stadium’s remaining useful life could decrease rapidly, but strategic investment could extend its life by 20-30 years to 50 years. The overall condition of the building has been assessed as good/moderate. Table 4.1 shows the condition grading scale used for the assessment.The estimated cost of a new build would be approximately $15 million but not including the demolition and disposal costs of the existing one.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

Central Otago police attended a jet boat incident on the Clutha River north of the Luggate Bridge on Sunday, where one of two intoxicated parties ended up in the water.Senior Constable Graham Perkins said the jet boat driver lost control and the vessel overturned, with people needing to be rescued.A nearby boaty was called by a man up a tree who had spotted people in the water, and the people were safely retrieved from the river.“All parties including the rescuer were intoxicated,” Snr Const Perkins said.But they refused to give their details and obstructed police in their job, he said.A loophole in the law meant authorities were powerless to prosecute intoxicated boaties - even though it was illegal and dangerous to operate a vessel under the influence of alcohol.Alcohol use on boats was a national issue but police were limited in what they could do - however the harbourmaster could prosecute drivers for operating a boat in a manner that caused unnecessary danger, under section 65 of the Maritime Transport Act.The Queenstown Lakes District Council has a Wanaka-based crew that oversees boating regulatory functions in the area.Waterways regulatory services manager Craig Fahey confirmed the incident would be followed up and looked into, but it was up to the harbourmaster to determine if anyone would be prosecuted.Vessel drivers were also obligated to report incidents on the water to Maritime New Zealand. In Australia, boaties have to be licensed, but this was not the case in New Zealand.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

Up to 250 jobs would be created for a proposed solar farm near Naseby during a two-year period, with public submissions now open on the resource consent application.The Central Otago District Council (CODC) has notified the application by Helios OTA to construct, operate, and maintain a solar farm at 48 Ranfurly-Naseby Road.The proposed solar farm - also known as the Māniatoto Plain Solar Farm - required multiple resource consents to operate on rural land currently used for sheep and beef grazing.Helios is a New Zealand company established in early 2020 when the founders recognised the potential for grid-scale solar developments to make a positive contribution to the existing New Zealand energy mix. Helios believed large-scale solar generation would make a meaningful and rapid contribution to New Zealand’s goal of reaching 100 per cent renewable electricity generation by 2030, and would democratise the country’s energy market to help deliver a more secure and affordable energy supply for the country. The application sought resource consent to construct, operate and maintain an approximately 300MWac photovoltaic solar farm, and associated infrastructure including battery energy storage, substation and transmission line infrastructure for renewable electricity generation.The proposed solar farm would be built on land leased from two local farming families and connected into the National Grid via the Naseby Substation on Fennessy Road.It would consist of approximately 550,810 solar panels, mounted on a tracking system. The panels would be aligned in north and south rows, and follow the movement of the sun throughout the day.When the sun was overhead and the solar panels were tilted parallel to the ground at their maximum site coverage, they would cover approximately 23.3 per cent of the site (155 ha in total). The solar farm has been designed to allow enough space underneath and around the panels for compatibility with sheep grazing and pasture growth, with a grass mix suitable for sheep grazing.The proposal would create enough clean, renewable electricity to power the equivalent of 70,000 typical New Zealand homes annually. Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

The father of the groom, and driver of a wedding party vehicle, had his car impounded by police on Saturday, after he was caught doing burnouts in Pisa Moorings. Alexandra Police Senior Constable Graham Perkins said the 60-year-man held up the wedding proceedings as a result of his behaviour in Perriam Place.Statements from local residents and good CCTV footage was enough for police to charge the man and remove the vehicle from him, leaving the wedding party stranded until a replacement vehicle and driver was found.“He was quite embarrassed,” Snr Const Perkins said.An Alexandra driver was processed for excess breath alcohol on Sunday afternoon on the Gibbston highway, after clipping another vehicle and spinning out of control.Police units from Queenstown, Wanaka and Cromwell attended, closing the highway for a short time.Snr Const Perkins said the man admitted to drinking all night and only had two hours sleep before getting behind the wheel and heading back towards Alexandra. Another Alexandra man in his 50s, was processed for drinking alcohol on Sunday, after breaching his bail conditions when police noticed him intoxicated and “whizzing” down Ventry Street on his pushbike.He was arrested and taken to Queenstown to be dealt with by probation.An Alexandra man in his mid-30s with a warrant for his arrest for dealing meth was caught by police at the weekend.Snr Const Perkins said police pulled the man over and noticed a strong smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle.  They found a .22 calibre rifle, $1500 in cash, scales, cannabis residue and 30 dealer bags, along with three meth pipes and two cellphones.He was bailed to appear in the Alexandra District Court this week.Vehicle impoundments will now cost offenders $4800 as a result of recent law changes from 28 days to six months.An Alexandra man was caught by police at the weekend after failing to stop for Dunedin officers earlier in the week - his excuse being that he didn’t want a ticket for only being on his restricted licence.Ranfurly police also had a busy weekend with 51 speeding tickets issued, and a Thai driver had his licence suspended on Dansey Pass for driving 150 km/hr.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

As the campaign to “Save our Southern Hospital’’ continues, one couple is taking the message to the road.Dunedin couple Pam Munro and Mike Waddell have been given the use of a former ambulance dubbed “Cliff’’ to travel the South Island - and beyond - to raise awareness of the plight of Dunedin Hospital.In September Minister of Health Shane Reti and Minister for Infrastructure Chris Bishop announced the cost of the planned Dunedin Hospital redevelopment had ballooned to $3billion and would either need to be reduced, or done in stages.The couple have been across the South Island - and even made it to Wellington on November 6 - spreading the message.At the weekend Cliff made the journey to Central Otago and Wanaka stopping in Cromwell, Alexandra and Roxburgh and Lawrence.Pam, a registered nurse, said the couple wanted the hospital to be “fit for purpose for our southern population’’.“We’re trying to raise awareness of the fact the southern regional tertiary hospital needs to be built sufficient to serve the 350,000 people for the area it covers, its catchment, and if we have any cutdowns or any reductions beyond what there already is, by the time its built it will not be fit for purpose,’’ she said.“Just build it, build it once and build it right.’’"Cliff'' parked up in Roxburgh on Sunday. PHOTO: SHANNON THOMSONMike was critical of the government’s decision to cut the hospital build spend.“I think the thing that really is disturbing is the current Prime minister came in, before he was elected to prime minister, and promised that they would build, as a government if they got elected, that they would build the hospital as was planned. ‘’So to now be in the position of saying they’re not going to do that is very very frustrating.A lot of southern medical professionals had put in years of design input above and beyond their day jobs as requested and to not listen to them was “absolutely appalling’’, he said.“Their decisions need to be evidence based and you can’t put a fixed number on something and not adjust it for inflation,’’ Pam said.The pair had found the response to their message to be “really positive’’ with people waving and honking as they went past, stopping to chat, donate and sign a copy of the Buller Declaration - a declaration on the state of the health system which was initiated in Buller in September.“This is about actually supporting health for all New Zealander’s,” Mike said.“One of the messages that we've found out by going now really, almost around the South Island is that every region is saying we do not want to have region to region to compete against or to play one off against the other.’’Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

Public transport options to shuttle workers from Alexandra, Clyde and Cromwell to Queenstown and Wanaka for work is being explored by the Otago Regional Council.At its monthly meeting in Balclutha last week, councillors agreed to push on with a study of shared transport options, as part of a wider strategic direction on public transport across the region.Dunstan ward councillor Michael Laws asked whether the study would be consulted on with the public, and chief executive Richard Saunders said that would depend on whether there would be significant changes.He said it was disappointing that the Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) was not partnering with the regional council in supporting the work across the region.The initial proposal was for a public bus service just to Queenstown, but Cr Laws said given that Wanaka and Hawea were booming as well, particularly with the trades, that route needed to be explored as well.“Not all workers are turning left at the Cromwell turn off, they are heading right as well.”The Otago Regional Council already runs a subsidised bus service around Queenstown SUPPLIEDCr Andrew Noone congratulated Cr Laws on promoting public transport and connectivity, and said who knew what the communities would look like across the region in a decade’s time.Cr Gary Kelliher was the only councillor who voted against the transport study.After the meeting, he said he didn’t think it would be supported enough.“We have a public transport system that runs at a loss at the moment.”He believed what people wanted and what the regional council could actually provide were two different things.For example, not all workers would be wanting to leave at the same time every morning or returning at the same time at the end of the day. Unless it ran on the hour every hour it wouldn’t be sustainable, he said.“So we’ll end up with an empty bus.”With the cost of living crisis, he was not supporting the “nice to haves,” and said the regional council had to do better with its ‘must haves.’The transport team would now work with the finance team to understand the full rating impact on the decision, to inform future decisions on the Annual Plan.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected] 

Peregrine Wines has appealed its Bendigo Loop Road subdivision that was declined by the Central Otago District Council (CODC) in June.A hearings panel agreed with planning consultant Olivia Stirling the receiving environment, which was currently characterised by its open space natural character, would be compromised by further incremental subdivision in the location. Peregrine Wines first started a three-lot subdivision at Bendigo Loop Road back in 2021, then subdivided a 30ha lot into a further two lots a year later.The initial piece of land subdivided was 38.9ha - split into three lots (5.46ha, 4.29ha and 29.17ha).The 29.17ha lot was then split into a further two lots (3.47ha and 25.72ha), and now the company wanted to split the bigger piece that was left into a further 23.7ha and 2.005ha.Stirling recommended in her planners report the subdivision be declined as the surrounding landscape had already reached a density that was unable to absorb any further fragmentation without significantly undermining the rural character, amenity and open natural landscape values of the Rural Resource Area.Although no change of land use had been made, nor any residential activity proposed on the bare land, one submitter said the application was sending mixed messages in recognising the possibility of future housing on the sites.The panel also considered that while the applicant had indicated there was no intention to establish residential activity on the site, in separate ownership there would still inevitably be multiple buildings or structures of some sort on both sites. Peregrine noted in its application that viticulture use of the site was more productive than its current agriculture use, and confirmed it had already purchased Sauvignon Blanc vines to plant within one of the new lots.Peregrine appealed the Council’s decision for various reasons including the belief the decision incorrectly placed significant weight on the precedent consent might set for residential development if granted.“This is speculative without evidence regarding what residential activity, if any, was planned by the appellant, and should have been treated as such by the hearings panel.”The decision also did not sufficiently recognise that buildings, if any, could support rural production activities (for example, in providing accommodation to rural workers), the appeal submission said.“The decision did not take into account the positive effects that dwellings, if any, would have on reducing the need for rural workers to travel to the site daily, some for a substantial distance.”Lawyers also criticised the panel for relying “heavily” on a peer review of the productivity of the site – prepared by James Dicey of Grape Vision, who was a competitor to the appellant and did not propose any alternative productive use to viticulture or a comprehensive economic assessment. “The hearings panel placed significant weight on the peer review prepared by Mr Dicey, that the site, once subdivided, would have a small but appreciable loss of productivity. “However, the evidence of the applicant – as an experienced viticulturist and steward of the site, and which concluded that overall the application would allow for a more sustainable and productive layout and use of the site across two allotments – should have been given more weight and been preferred.”Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

Central Otago’s new mayor Tamah Alley says she has the “best job in the world’’.The newly appointed mayor spoke to The Outlet about her unique journey from a decade in the police force to leading a rapidly growing region. Mayor Tamah said her career in the police taught her invaluable skills such as developing a thick skin and making courageous decisions. The transition from law enforcement to governance was fueled by a strong service drive - and the mayoralty had not been a consideration.“When I first put my hand up to become an elected member this is not where I thought my path was heading, but you know, things change, opportunities arrive.‘’I try to be the first one . . . to take up opportunities and kind of push yourself out there and be challenged and be interested in the role that you’re doing, and I think that’s what lots of us want from our day jobs,’’ she said.The dual nature of rapid growth in Central Otago, seen as both a challenge and an opportunity, and there were complexities in engaging the community in decision-making, given the vast amount of information council members must process. “I think the biggest challenge has been bringing our communities on a journey - I think loads of people feel shut out of the decision making around the council table and their ability to have a say and influence the decision that we make,’’ she said.Listen to the full interview on The Outlet,

Clutha district Mayor Bryan Cadogan welcomed the Otago Regional Council monthly meeting into the ‘Big River’ town on Wednesday, with councillors travelling from throughout the region to attend.The regional council held the majority of its meetings in Dunedin but several times a year also took it out to the regions, including Central Otago - its July meeting was held in Cromwell.The recent intervention by the Government to amend the Resource Management Act prohibiting regional councils from notifying their freshwater plans (LWRP) has resulted in ongoing correspondence between the regional council and Ministers.RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop recently said publicly there was still opportunity for the regional council to play a role in the review of the national direction for freshwater management, with the national policy statement for freshwater management (NPSFM) on track to be replaced mid-2025.The expectation was staff would work with ministry officials, and a report to the meeting said there may be an opportunity for involvement at a governance level alongside staff input. Council would now accept the offer for staff to work with ministry officials, and also request to have specific councillor level engagement as well.This would enable the regional council’s experience and expertise and the region’s needs to properly inform the review process. Cr Michael Laws thanked chief executive Richard Saunders “for encapsulating that view,” on behalf of the council, in the draft letter to ministers. It was also noted from staff involved in the LWRP that the delay in notifying it had created some issues that would need governance direction before a replacement was notified.Staff intended to report back to council in early 2025 on the issues identified, and some potential solutions, if required, to respond to the issues.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

Community-led advocacy group Health Action Wanaka continues to fight for the Southern health region to be prioritised in the roll-out of the new $30 million radiology funding.Announced by Health Minister Shane Reti in June, the group was disappointed to learn the funding for free access to radiology services for diagnostic imaging was not yet confirmed for Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes - but had already been prioritised in the North Island.Patients were often having to travel hours to Dunedin from Central Otago and Wanaka often just for a 10 minute appointment with a specialist.The funding would mean local GPs could refer patients to radiology services directly, thereby reducing the need for people to have to travel to the city.A response from Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand to Health Action Wanaka last month said the initial focus was to develop the nationally consistent aspects of the service and to further understand the current regional state before the rollout commenced.Health Action Wanaka steering committee chair Monique Mayze said in the group’s latest newsletter, given funding had already been rolled out in Wellington and the Hutt Valley, “it does beg the question as to why the rollout was started without knowing how the rollout would proceed, how much would be invested in different regions, or what the rollout priority would be?”.New $30 million radiology funding would mean Central Otago residents could have free diagnostic imaging at Dunstan Hospital rather than travelling to Dunedin. FILE SHOTSupported by local MPs Miles Anderson and Joseph Mooney, the letter to Minister Reti outlined the healthcare inequity the district faced, and the advocacy group questioned what it would take for inland Otago to be prioritised.The response from Health NZ group manager planned and unplanned care - Living Well commissioning group Tim Wood said the funding would primarily be used to meet the costs of those facilities which undertook the imaging. The implementation was planned to take place over the next two years with a view to being fully implemented by July 2026.He said if GPs had access to imaging, they would be equipped to make more informed diagnoses allowing more expeditious management of patents, which may also reduce pressure on secondary services.Monique said there were a number of metrics that demonstrated the inequity in access to health services in many parts of the Southern health region, and which underlined why our region was deserving of prioritisation in the roll out of the radiology funding.Large areas of the Southern region were underserved by secondary outpatient and specialist healthcare, particularly maternity, paediatric, chemotherapy and radiology, palliative care, community pharmacists, aged care, and mental health services. Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

WellSouth is ‘’deeply concerned’’ for the sustainability of GP practices across its network, including Central Otago, saying the funding was no longer fit for purpose.In its annual report released this week, board chair Dr Doug Hill said recent negotiations with Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand for an increase in the proposed capitation uplift had failed, and was concerned about the effect on patients.Dr Hill was a Dunedin-based GP who ran his own practice, and said he and other clinicians and business owners had started the financial year being directed by Te Whatu Ora to make significant fee increases.“We are deeply concerned for the sustainability of the practices in our network and the subsequent effect on patients’ ability to access high-quality, timely and affordable primary care.”WellSouth has offices in Alexandra, Dunedin and Invercargill and was responsible for the delivery of primary health care, and supporting general practice and community healthcare providers in Otago and Southland.Dr Hill said the capitation funding was no longer fit for purpose and compounding the pressures felt across its Southland and Otago general practice networks.“It is dire, but we have to keep going,” he said.WellSouth chief executive Andrew Swanson-Dobbs. PHOTO: SUPPLIEDChief executive Andrew Swanson-Dobbs said on top of increased patient fees, there were also ongoing staff shortages, and in general unsustainable business models.The Government must do more to support primary care, and he would continue to “fly this flag’’, he said.WellSouth was also responsible for commissioning the Rural Services Review which identified inequities in service provision, major pressures on funding and workforce, unsustainably high levels of clinical risk, and barriers patients face in accessing care. It has made recommendations to Te Whatu Ora and the primary care sector, which it hopes will help increase its voice in funding decision-making.“There aren't many organisations that celebrate a $1.67 million deficit for the year, but we are celebrating that because that's delivered increased services to patients throughout the southern region, especially with our equity focus, as we support primary care region wide.” Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]