Speed limit changes implemented throughout Central Otago in August last year (2022) look to have been adopted by motorists, with more requested in the future.  A Central Otago District Council (CODC) spokesperson said the council had received no negative feedback through official channels and had been encouraged to further review speed limits on the district’s extensive road network.One Clyde cyclist said he “had waited a long time to see the authorities come to their senses and lower the speed cars were doing coming into Clyde on the bridge side of town”.“How could it ever have been safe to have such a high-speed limit? There’s no way it was safe doing 100km virtually up to the bridge.” Currently, the CODC is reviewing the speed of traffic passing through school zones. Any proposed changes are expected to be presented to councillors early this year (2023).Police enforce the legal speed limit on any public thoroughfare in New Zealand. The police have welcomed the reduction of any speed limit if it contributes to reducing the number of New Zealanders injured or killed on the country’s road network. The new 60km limit on McFelin RdSpeed limits in Central Otago are reviewed periodically to ensure they: remain appropriate through changes to road use; align with national and local objectives; and meet the needs of the local community.Parts of the network’s speed limits to be reviewed in the future include Gilligans Gully and Letts Gully Road, Alexandra, Fruitgrowers Road, Clyde, Lauder Road, Bannockburn Road, Cambrians Road, Clark Road near Lowburn, and the St Bathans urban area.All assessments of speed limits carried out by the council are done so in accordance with the criteria in the Waka Kotahi Speed Management Guide, the CODC said.

Just one of the almost 182 properties connected to stage one of the new Clyde wastewater system late last year (2022) has reported any problems to the Central Otago District Council (CODC).A CODC spokesperson said the council has a good process in place with the construction contractor to address any faults or defects over the next 12 months.“The one reported incident council responded to over the holiday period was related to the connection to the wastewater main.” There is close ongoing monitoring of the performance of the new system to ensure it is performing as designed.However, CODC said its operators had noticed visible fat and oil in the Clyde pump station, prompting them to remind the community to dispose of fats and oils in the rubbish and not down the sink. The community is also being reminded to only flush the three Ps (pee, poo, toilet paper). ‘Flushable’ wet wipes need to stay out of the system. “Taking both of these actions looks after our new system and greatly reduces the chance of blockages and wastewater overflows into our community,” the CODC spokesperson said.CODC has appointed a contractor to empty, disinfect and puncture septic tanks no longer required, with formal decommissioning expected to commence later this month (January 2023). Stage two of the Clyde Wastewater project is scheduled for completion between 2028-33.

It’s been a “full-on” 16 year process for the Roxburgh community to see its 90-year-old pool replaced with a soon-to-be-completed $2.5M state-of-the-art facility.Central Otago District councillor Sally Finderman has been part of the pool committee for about eight years and has a clear understanding of the level of commitment a community has to have to see a project of this magnitude through.“We picked up momentum at the beginning of 2021, and we put some significant funding applications into Central Lakes Trust, Otago Community Trust,” Sally said. Read more: Support growing for Roxburgh pool project“We went to the Ida McDonald Charitable Trust, and they’ve really got on board and helped us. “So we’ve had a lot of support and success with our funding applications, including the $500,000 from ratepayers.” Sally believes the success of any community project comes with a great committee to keep things moving along. The new complex includes a 25-metre four-lane main pool with a ramp providing access for everyone, a learner’s pool and a little beach pool for toddlers.Pool construction is expected to be completed in March or April this year (2023).Watch our short video about the Roxburgh Pool project.  

Everyone has to play their part to address the accommodation shortage in Central Otago, according to Minister of Parliament (MP) Jacqui Dean.The Waitaki MP said while the accommodation issue is not new, the problem has escalated following the return of visitors, who are bringing with them increased demand for worker accommodation.  “Central Otago employers have faced the issue for several years [of] housing seasonal and hospitality workers. It’s not a new problem,” said Jacqui.“We need an answer that doesn’t see people… living in camping grounds and vans. “It’s fine when you’re young and passing through for picking season, but not if you have a young family.“In a few short months, we’ll be back into winter… when we will really see problems with people not being properly housed.” She acknowledged the effort employers have made to provide more worker accommodation. She said it’s part of the solution but that more work is required.  The MP thinks the answer lies in a joint effort from public and private sectors to ensure Central’s economic prosperity remains unaffected by the housing shortage. “Central Otago is growing rapidly, and that will not change. What has to happen is that everybody has to do their bit. “There is a tonne of opportunity out there which people are waking up to, to provide more housing.” “Everybody has a part to play; local government, central government and the private sector. All those groups are instrumental to an effective outcome [for] the accommodation shortage in Central,” she said.“The losers in all this are those who can’t find a roof over their heads. These people have jobs but can’t find accommodation to meet their needs. That’s not good enough.” Are you or your whanau struggling to find accommodation in Central? Share your story with Central App reporter: [email protected]

The cost of entertaining visitors can leave some Central residents feeling the financial squeeze and unable to pay the bills after the Christmas period.Living in a popular holiday destination may seem attractive, but for some, it’s not so attractive when the credit card bills for December and January come in after the entertaining is done.Central Otago Budgeting Services (COBS) co-ordinator Pam Hughes said spending too much when visitors are staying is a common problem.“Family and friends visiting add extra costs to be met in the New Year. “There’s a lot of people asking themselves how they’re now going to pay for their kids going back to school, buying books, uniforms, that's the biggest issue facing many families,” Pam said.She said many people are unaware of what help there is for those left short after Christmas. This extends to how to access the support available for people who are struggling. “It’s not just beneficiaries. It’s low-income people who don’t know how to check whether or not they’re entitled to any support, which could be accommodation support, disabilities support and help like that,” she said.“A lot of it is because they think that because they’re working, they are not entitled to anything. It’s the working poor, I suppose.“People can just do a quick calculation and find out just what help there is, even if they’re working.” Pam recommends people go to the Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) website and see what their entitlement is or make contact with COBS for advice.“We find that we’re helping a lot of people make contact and register for work and income support depending on their situation.”For help, contact COBS, their budgeting advice service is free.

Figures released after the recent local body elections indicated that voting in smaller towns and rural areas fell by 7.5 per cent, with just 45 per cent of registered voters taking the time to tick candidate boxes.  While the national average is 36 per cent, the decline in interest within smaller communities has increased concern that some people are becoming more disengaged at a community level.The low election turnout has renewed a focus on re-generating interest and participation in local government. Community development and planning are seen as vehicles to re-engage people and, at the same time, contribute to making spaces better places to live and work. Central Otago District Council (CODC) community development officer Rebecca Williams is encouraging people to take the time to re-engage through their community plans.“Each area has its own plan that can easily be found on the council website. I encourage people to take the time to see what work has already been carried out and think about what work is yet to be undertaken in their area,” she said.“People often say the council should do this or council should do that, when…many of the best initiatives are formulated and driven to completion at a community level, with council providing advice and guidance when required.”“We are currently working with Tarras on renewing their plan, which was signed off 15 years ago. “It’s a community-driven initiative. The council facilitates the process, and the community decides on the priorities it sets for its vision and goals for the future,” she said.The various community plans for Central can be found here. 

For Sanchia Jacobs, 2023 will be a big year for many reasons, but key among those will be the implementation of three waters reforms and the establishment of the new entities tasked with providing safe drinking water and environmentally sound wastewater disposal.   The council CEO believes water reform of some description needs to happen, that it’s been universally acknowledged by councils across New Zealand and by the two major political parties.“Three waters reform will go ahead no matter who is in power. Although the shape of it may change, there’s a universal acknowledgement that reform in this space needs to happen,” she asserted.   “A big part of my job this year is helping our council navigate the reforms in a sensible, practical, smart way.“I guess the devil’s always in the detail. We don’t know yet whether it will succeed. What we do know, however, is that the current system hasn’t worked up to now.”She said the emphasis now needs to be on ensuring that Central Otago’s views are well represented throughout the rollout of the reforms. “As changes are implemented, my focus will be on how the council works with the new three waters entities and that our affected staff are protected throughout the process. We must ensure they get good opportunities and are well looked after.” She believes the district’s water infrastructure compares well to the other 67 councils around New Zealand and that the water infrastructure has been well maintained, modified and expanded over the years.  “We’ve been pretty blessed in Central Otago to have had good councils successively, so we haven’t been diverted with lots of negative politics and other things that can steer you off track when needing to address infrastructure spending issues when required,” she said. “The districts had good people making pretty good decisions. We’ve made big decisions around Central Otago’s water supply and reticulation, but there’s always more to do in that area.”The Central App will monitor the progress of the water reforms and provide you with updates as legislation is implemented throughout 2023.

The first of three bills the government says will ensure affordable drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services has now been codified into law. Under the new legislation, the Central Otago District Council (CODC) must seek Department of Internal Affairs approval before making any decisions that affect the provision of drinking water or the disposal of storm and wastewater to the district.The bill also provides for transferring the existing three waters workforce and expertise from the CODC to the four new water services entities, which also came into being with the passage of the legislation.“By establishing four new publicly-owned water services entities with the size and scale to meet the challenges we face, the legislation forms a strong base for improved, effective, and efficient management of water services and infrastructure,” local government minister Nanaia Mahuta said.“In order to keep a lid on rate rises and better protect New Zealanders from rising water costs, we must act now to upgrade our national water infrastructure.”  The National Party has promised to repeal Three Waters legislation should it become government later this year but has yet to outline alternative legislation.There are currently two other pieces of Three Waters legislation before parliament: the Water Services Legislation Bill, now before the Finance and Expenditure Committee and the Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill.The government aims to have the four Water Services Entities providing drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services to New Zealand by July 1, 2024.

As mayor Tim Cadogan mentioned in his weekly column on the Central App, a survey of newcomers to Central Otago was undertaken recently. Most respondents felt welcomed in the community (90 per cent), but 10 per cent said they did not feel so included.There were a variety of reasons why respondents felt they needed to be more welcome.  Many cited the difficulty developing meaningful friendships and felt that many residents were closed off and not interested in making new friends. “Some survey respondents felt isolated due to comments about where they came from, whether somewhere else in New Zealand or overseas,” Central Otago District Council welcoming communities officer Deborah Beange said.“Some experienced racism, either open or subtle.“There are some areas that require further introspection, particularly concerning how we interact with those who are from our larger cities and those who bring with them different cultures and beliefs,” she said.“The demographics of our communities are changing, challenging cultural norms. Embracing newcomers and sharing the Kiwi culture of friendliness, openness, and acceptance will continue to make Central Otago a place everyone calls home.”Those who worked in one community and lived in another struggled more than those who worked and lived in the same community. Some respondents with structured 9-5 work hours cited the difficulty of getting involved in the community as many groups met during the day.Newcomers were asked whether they believed the community where they lived was accepting of different cultures and beliefs.Twenty eight per cent answered that they believed their community was accepting of different cultures and beliefs; 22 per cent felt their community was not accepting; and 48 per cent responded that they were unsure. Reasons cited for their community not accepting different cultures and beliefs included negative comments about people from different cultures and a general lack of diversity in the community. Some respondents felt that there was a perpetuation of negative stereotypes that filtered into lots of aspects of daily life.There is an opportunity for locals to meet and welcome newcomers to the district on Saturday January 28 at the Newcomer Family Picnic.The event takes place from 11:30am – 1:00pm at Pioneer Park, Alexandra.Ninety-five participants completed the Newcomer Survey.

It’s been a hot topic for discussion on social media: Why has mobile network data connectivity been so patchy recently? One provider says the number of device-toting visitors to the district overloads the network.Consumers in more isolated areas relying on the mobile network for all their internet traffic and phone services have been left with little or no communication with the wider world since before Christmas Day.One of those affected in Cromwell is Jo Vivian. Jo and her housemates have not been able to download emails, let alone sit down to an evening of her favourite shows on a streaming service since before Christmas.“Because of our location, we had no fibre optic running past the driveway, so we relied on internet through a copper cable. “It was like the days of dial-up, so we took advice and switched our landline phone and internet to the mobile network. We got a special external receiver and modem,” she said.“We are a wee way away from the nearest tower, but initially, we did get good reliable internet and phone coverage until Christmas, then it dropped right off.”Jo drove to the nearest reliable mobile signal after a couple of days of little or no service and called her provider, only to be told that the network was likely overloaded. When many consumers use the network simultaneously, it becomes overloaded, and the signal drops in quality. Jo was told there was nothing much to be done until things “quietened down after the busy period”.“We now understand that this can happen, but it would have been great to have been told before signing up that there may be busy times when there will be little or no service.”Jo is now looking to the stars and exploring satellite internet options.The Central App would like to hear about your connectivity ups and downs over the holiday period. Please email your tale to [email protected]  

Central Otago District Council (CODC) is in the preliminary stages of developing a vision and community well-being framework for the next half-century.The well-being framework will include information on social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being that looks beyond the limits of the functions of CODC. CODC community development advisor Rebecca Williams said the development of a framework will provide a unique opportunity for the council to lead the development of a 50-year vision, alongside other agencies and stakeholders, to express community aspirations now and into the future.“New Zealand’s local government sector is experiencing a significant reform programme, and the focus of local government’s role in the well-being of the communities it serves is at the forefront of this change,” Rebecca said.“Once developed, the vision and framework will ensure our council is well placed to respond to the reform programme and that our district has a pathway for the future where all citizens can live enjoyable and meaningful lives.”The community well-being framework will be created through community conversations, engaging iwi, residents, local and central government agencies, place-based organisations, funders and other stakeholders. It will also draw on existing strategies and plans, work undertaken in other parts of the region, and build on council’s previous community vision work.CODC has secured $90,000 of government funding through the Three Waters Better Off Support Package to create the framework.

Central Otago shoppers could be forgiven for wondering where the eggs have gone when heading out on the weekly supermarket shopping venture. Some supermarkets have introduced a temporary limit on the purchase of eggs, limiting numbers to two cartoons per customer, and shelves are empty in other outlets.Limits have been placed on customersShortages have been attributed to legislative changes coming into effect banning the cage rearing of hens for egg production, as well as feed shortages due to the Russian invasion of far-off Ukraine in February 2022. The new legislation has led to some suppliers bowing out of the industry entirely or delaying the conversion of their operations due to the expense involved.“Producers have been obligated to change their farming methods,” Egg Producers Federation executive director Michael Brooks said.The new legislation, combined with Covid-19 and higher grain prices after the invasion of Ukraine, “saw farmers become ultra-cautious regarding business decisions, and the flock has shrunk to 3,400,000 hens down from 4,200,000 only 18 months ago”. “That’s a lot of eggs that aren’t available,” Michael said.Egg supply limited by new legislationFoodstuff spokesperson Emma Wooster said the move to phase out cage eggs was a significant change for the egg supply industry. “As we phase out caged eggs from our stores, we’ll be working with the egg industry to increase our offer in colony, barn and free-range eggs.“We’re committed to working closely with government and New Zealand egg suppliers to meet our target to become fully cage-free by 2027.”There seems little sign of relief for consumers anytime soon as, apart from the current shortage, egg prices will likely rise as farmers face huge costs implementing changes to produce cage-free eggs.

The Central Otago District Council (CODC) considered how to handle the increase in depreciation to its roading and three waters assets during the most recent full meeting of the council.The roading revaluation for 30 June 2022 showed an increase in the depreciable replacement cost of assets by 14 per cent to $589.16M and annual depreciation by 19 per cent to $7.29M since the previous revaluation (July 1, 2020).Depreciation is an operating expense that reflects the use of an asset over its useful life. The three waters revaluation for the same period also showed a significant rise in asset values with an increase in the gross replacement cost of 40.1 per cent (or $102M) and annual depreciation of $1.64M - an increase of 44.5 per cent.Deputy mayor Neil Gillespie said the key thing for him in making the decision-making process is “consistency”.“Every time there’s an asset revaluation, we see an impact on depreciation, and we seem to be regularly having this conversation,” he said.“We are adopting a consistent approach that we have adopted in the past. It is an approach that has served us well, and we do it so that our ratepayers don’t get hit. “With the considerable financial pressures currently being faced by our community, it is important we don’t increase that by rating for revenue that we cannot reasonably expect to then spend on the renewal of three waters and roading infrastructure.”A 7.31 per cent rate increase is estimated to fund the three waters depreciation shortfallThe increase in revaluations of assets was driven mainly by inflation, the rising cost of construction and replacing assets, and the addition of vested assets and new assets constructed since the last valuations in 2020.The increase in rates required to fund the depreciation shortfall was estimated to equate to a 4.07 per cent rate increase in roading and a 7.31 per cent rate increase in three waters.CODC will adjust the depreciation expense in the 2023/24 year to ensure rate-funded depreciation only covers the roading capital works programme and three waters renewal programmes in the Draft 2023-24 Annual Plan. 

A significant step in a long-term plan to end Clyde’s dependence on septic tanks for wastewater processing and disposal has been celebrated.The district mayor, Tim Cadogan, even dressed up as Super Turd to mark the significant milestone in the project set for completion in 2043.Click here to see the mayor’s ‘News Flush’. When the occupants of the 182 Clyde properties included in stage one flush their toilets, the contents will now travel down 10.5kms of the newly laid main pipeline to the Alexandra Waste treatment plant. Almost 4km of the main pipe was also laid through Clyde in addition to 1.8 km of pipework required to connect properties to the scheme. Eighty chambers were commissioned for maintenance, and three pump stations will transport wastewater to the Alexandra treatment plant.“The project provides the Clyde community with an environmentally safe wastewater system that will bring significant environmental, health and well-being benefits for decades to come and will allow for future growth in a managed and sustainable manner,” Central Otago District Council (CODC) said in a statement.182 Clyde homeowners are now part of stage one of the project The council now requires properties newly connected to the Alexandra wastewater plant to decommission their septic tank systems.CODC has appointed a contractor to empty, disinfect and puncture septic tanks no longer required, with formal decommissioning expected to commence later this month (January 2023). Clyde homeowners will be contacted directly by the contractors appointed to complete the work.When septic tanks have been emptied and punctured, they must be removed or backfilled with gravel. The total cost of stage one is $23M, and the total expenditure for all three stages is expected to be just under $49M, including GST and inflation.Stage two is scheduled for 2028-33, with stage three for 2038-43.

An increase in council insurance expenditure through a budget reforecast will increase rates for Central residents by between 0.5 and 0.75 per cent.At the final Central Otago District Council meeting of 2022, councillors approved an increase in the budget of up to $212,000 for the financial year to accommodate a reported rise in insurance costs.The council voted to receive a report outlining how the 2022 insurance renewal coincided with the council’s revaluations for Three Waters and property assets, which indicated a significant uplift in asset values. The increases in asset values and the recovery cost for some significant weather events have resulted in a substantial increase in material damage and business interruption insurance premiums.Several factors have driven the overall increase in the material damage premium, including the addition of new assets constructed since the previous Three Waters valuation in 2020 needing to be insured, the acquisition of vested assets from new developments and increased construction and replacement costs.Other areas of premium increase of note for the council include commercial motor vehicle cover, professional indemnity cover and cyber risk insurance.

Fulton Hogan has donated five bike repair stations to the community this summer. The contractor has sponsored the purchase and installation of the five stations located on Central Otago District Council (CODC) sites in Pioneer Park, the Cromwell Mall, Pearson Road car park, the bike park in Molyneux Park, Alexandra and Lodge Lane in Clyde.“Fulton Hogan is proud to collaborate with the Central Otago District Council on this community initiative to support sustainable active transport, especially given the expansive biking opportunities in the area that both locals and bike riders from further afield travel to Central to enjoy,” Fulton Hogan Central regional manager Anna Sinclair said.Bike repair station in CromwellCODC community experience group manager David Scoones said the repair stations would be “an incredible asset for all bikers and our communities”.The five new stations will add to the existing units in Roxburgh, which were installed as part of the 2021 Roxburgh street upgrade and one in Naseby as part of the Naseby Vision community initiative.

The numbers at yesterday’s Omakau Trots (Monday January 2) look to break all previous records dating back to 1965.Gate-takings suggest there was a big crowd enjoying great racing and entertainment. Central Otago Trotting Club president Graham Sinnamon said he was grateful the crowd chose to spend the second day of 2023 at the races, and praised the community effort that made the day possible.John Dunn after his 1500 race win with Henry Hubert“There were 19 community groups running the show today,” he said.“Even though we are the trotting club, there's 19 other clubs that make it happen. It’s just like a big jigsaw. We are a piece, and so is everybody else. By the time you put all the pieces together, you've got the day, and I think that it's a community thing.“Today was a culmination of a lot of work and things going right on the day like the weather was fantastic. The crowd were fantastic. It's just what you hope for.”Family fun at the Omakau races “I was talking to people in the car park… [who] hadn't seen a race, but they are having a fantastic time. It's not for us to tell you how to enjoy your day. We provide what we think is a wide-ranging package, and there's something for everybody,” Graham said.For more of the big day at the Omakau Races, click on the video link below.

A police investigation of a blaze which left two Cromwell-based Ambulance units damaged and inoperative has revealed no suspicious circumstances.The fire was ignited on Friday afternoon (December 30).St John Central Otago area operations manager David Baillie said police had advised there was no evidence to pursue any line of enquiries associated with the fire. “We are no longer treating the fire as suspicious in nature,” he said.The blaze left two standby ambulance units heavily damaged. Backup units from the surrounding district have been called in to cover the damaged vehicles should they be required in an emergency. The damaged ambulances were removed from the Cromwell St John Station on Saturday afternoon.

Central Otago District mayor Tim Cadogan has a few items and challenges on his calendar in the new year, and top of his list is officially cutting the ribbon to open the Lake Dunstan water supply plant above Clyde.The mayor traces his involvement in the project back to 2008, when he was first elected to the Vincent Community Board. “We were well into the process of trying to get Alexandra’s high line water problem sorted. That’s going to be a real highlight in 2023,” he said“I’m looking forward to the people of Alexandra and Clyde getting fully compliant water.” The Lake Dunstan water supply project is nearing completionThe Central App sat down with the mayor before his Christmas break, and asked for his thoughts on the year ahead.Tim also highlighted three significant reforms on the horizon in 2023, which he sees as challenging for the council and the community: Three Waters; the reform of the Resource Management Act; and a review of how local government in New Zealand gets things done.“The review looks at how the whole local government sector does stuff. It’s been 30 years since we’ve had a review like this,” he said.“I think it offers us fantastic opportunities here in Central Otago and in the broader inland Otago to do some stuff perhaps a bit better than we’ve been able to in the past.”At a national level, Tim highlighted the coming general election. “I hope we get through that without too much bitterness and vitriol, but I’m not too sure how that will go, but that’s looking like it’s going to maybe mean some changes for us as well, which is going to be an interesting time.” Click on the video link below to hear everything the mayor had to say about the upcoming year.