The summer season begins for the Maniototo Early Settlers Association with a community grant of $8,300 toward annual operating costs.It was one of two grants issued on Thursday (September 15) by the Maniototo Community Board.The second, a promotional grant, was for $4,000 to Naseby Information and Craft Inc for annual expenses.The board had $15,000 to distribute for the 2022/23 community grants and $5,000 for the 2022/23 promotion grants, over two funding rounds, the second being in March next year.Sue Umbers is standing down from the board this election after 18 years serviceIt was the final meeting of the current board prior to the October 8 elections.Only Sue Umbers is standing down and she was thanked for her considerable service to the board which began in 2004.Board member Stuart Duncan said Sue had been a great representative of the community.She had always brought plenty of things to the board’s attention from members of the public.He said the new council would likely “look different” and less experienced elected members coming on would need staff support.There was a high volume of work done by councillors that was rarely seen or reported in the media, he said.Editor’s Note: The Central App provides local government news funded by NZ On Air for Central Otago. Local stories (advert-free) can be viewed anytime under the Be Better button.

Cromwell is likely to lose a long-established ‘green’ business after a commercial opportunity offered to one Central Otago District Council (CODC) tenant was not offered to a neighbouring tenant.Cemetery Road businesses Central Wormworx and Otago Metals Central were both told by CODC their leases would be terminated due to the land being rezoned for industrial subdivision.The worm farm, owned by Robbie Dick, had been offered an alternative location by CODC but Robbie declined, saying it was impractical and too costly to relocate such an operation.A large shed with a concrete floor, concreted-in posts, an embankment and over a kilometre of buried irrigation piping would be extremely difficult to move, he said.“Also you’d lose a year because it takes that long for the worms to get established in new dirt.”Robbie told the Central App he had cast around for buyers after learning of the lease terminating in mid-2023, but none had been keen to take on the 18-year old enterprise as it would need to relocate.Otago Metals Central part-owner Graeme Rollo told the Central App in mid-June that council had changed its stance and offered his business, located over the fence from Wormworx, a lease extension.  This week the Cromwell Community Board were told by council staff that Otago Metals Central had subsequently sold the business. The board approved the lease extension for the new owner and also a future possible option for them to purchase the plot.Outgoing board deputy chair Werner Murray, who works as a planner, said that as a general approach it was important for council to keep the processes as commercial as possible when dealing with its leases and land sales, however, what was good for one should be good for all. The continuation - or not - of businesses in the commercial world was rightly ruled by market forces.“The market should be deciding these things not the board,” he said.Wormworx’s owner says his business provides a valuable service disposing of thousands of tonnes of organic waste.It diverts large volumes of food waste from landfill as well as processing material from vineyards and orchards using tiger worms to create soil conditioner known as vermicast. The worms are also sold by the kilogram and couriered around the country to break down material in composting toilets, on dairy farms, freezing works and in council waste.“We’re servicing all those people around New Zealand getting rid of a lot of waste,” Robbie said. Organic waste was confirmed, in a report released in April by the Otago Mayoral Forum, as the “emerging problem child” of the waste family.The CODC pays to dispose of it at the Victoria Flats landfill, owned by the Queenstown Lakes District Council. Payment must be made to the government through the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to off-set Central’s emissions from dumping such refuse.  In April this year over a third of the $900,000 worth of carbon credits from council-owned pine forests were approved to be sold to offset a considerable budget blow-out from the rising cost of waste disposal.In July, however, the CODC announced it had contracted EnviroWaste to provide waste management services to the district from next winter. This includes the introduction of a new organic kerbside waste collection and is expected to ease the disposal issue.In a statement council said at the time the Redruth Resource Recovery Park in Timaru would be used for organics processing temporarily until a new organics processing facility can be constructed in Central Otago.  At the community board meeting on Monday (September 12) a staff member said they did not believe the worm farm business had “an appetite” to buy its plot in future. How council had researched or gained this information was not explained.Robbie Dick (75) said last week it had been a few months since he had spoken with council but the last communication had been to give him a “definite no” to a lease extension. He said he wished to stay and that the business was doing well.He employed a manager and two part-time staff and hoped to semi-retire into a less hands-on role.He said he didn’t know why his business had not been given the same lease extension opportunity as his neighbour. “They’ve [council] got a new plan and we’re not in their plan. Now I’ve got to try and sell it off in parts. I’d never move it and put it down again. It’d be a mammoth job, too hard.”He said his staff were very busy despite the fact it was not quite “full-on gardening weather” yet in Central Otago.“We can’t keep up with the worm orders or the castings.”The plot was estimated to have a future value of between $4M and $5M, the community board meeting heard. This was similar to the metal recycling plot where the new owners had indicated, when asked by council, that they were likely to be keen to buy at that level.The Central App also approached mayor Tim Cadogan for comment, who referred the enquiry to board chair Anna Harrison.Anna said she could not comment on council processes and was unavailable as she was attending a conference outside of Central Otago.The plots are part of a 52ha block of land currently subject to a plan change process to rezone them from rural to industrial use.  The Central App asked council to clarify if the worm farm was offered a lease extension and possible site retention, similar to that offered to the metal recycling business.CODC property and facilities manager Garreth Robinson responded by saying it was proposed that on expiry of the current lease on the recycling site, the new owner will be granted a new short-term lease. ‘This activity is consistent with the proposed rezoning and future development of the land.”He said “numerous conversations” have been had with the worm farm and an alternative site more suitable for the business was offered and declined.In response to a question regarding why one business was offered an extension and not the other, he said the metal recycling activity was “consistent with the proposed rezoning and future development of the land”.

Looking after water, air, land and transport is the super-short version of what the Otago Regional Council (ORC) does for Otago.It’s a massive job and voters here in Central Otago - and the whole province- are now tasked with choosing who will act for them on this crucially important work, at this crucially important time.The ORC tackles the big stuff, taking a lead role in issues like climate change, biodiversity loss and urban development. Like the district council, it must enact new requirements being sent down the line from central government as well as continually updating its own policies, strategies and plans. The ORC also has to respond to the fact that people are far more aware now of climate change and the impact of activities on the environment, so it is demanding more action.  In the ORC’s own words (from its website), it is responsible for “environment, safety and resilience, transport and regional leadership”. The myriad of roles includes things like pest control, Civil Defence emergency management, a harbour master function, public buses and monitoring risks from natural hazards.  A wave of current changes affecting all these things means activity is ramping up - more work for staff and elected members going in, and new rules and costs coming out the other end to land on ratepayers and commercial operators.Understandably in the current climate, the ORC have expanding staffing levels.  The HQ is Dunedin-based but there are satellite offices in Alexandra and Queenstown, and depots in Balclutha, Oamaru, Wānaka, and Cromwell.Employees currently number around 180 full-time equivalents but this will be expanding to 330 full-time roles.  It’s busy…the customer service team responded to over 20,000 emails and 25,000 phone calls in the past year alone, according to a recent newsletter.After many, many years of low rates, these nearly doubled last year then went up 18 per cent this year.The ORC is governed by an elected council of 12 and of the four constituencies, Dunstan is by far the largest in size, taking in Queenstown, Wānaka, and all of Central Otago. Only three councillors will cover all those country miles, to be selected from the five standing (below), to lead the work from October 8.  As well as the ongoing water and land plans and policy setting, the successful Dunstan candidates will likely have input on things like managing central Otago’s chronic rabbit problem, our air pollution issue and public transport (Queenstown buses).   The Central App asked each candidate for their age, occupation, local, regional, or central government experience and a short paragraph on what’s on top… something important or meaningful they want to achieve.Michael LawsMichael LawsA personal priority for Cromwell-based candidate Michael Laws is progressing the ORC’s Otago Lakes Strategy. Michael (65) is a broadcaster and advocate-general, with extensive government experience.  He was a member of parliament for six years, mayor for six years, regional councillor for another six years and served as a district health board member for seven years.“The ORC's Otago Lakes Strategy that I initiated, is a personal priority. It will preserve and enhance the water quality and ecological values of all Otago's lakes, both natural and man-made.” Mike BarkerMike Barker Retired marine scientist Mike Barker aims to focus on finalising the council’s Land and Water Plan for Otago, implementing the National Policy Statement on Fresh Water Management and set minimum flows in the Manuherikia River, as well as developing a comprehensive lake and river monitoring program.Mike (75), as a former University of Otago associate professor, has not been involved in a government role but has served as a Fish and Game councillor for four years. He now resides in Wānaka.Tony LepperTony Lepper Tony Lepper’s priority is to restore public faith in the ORC that he feels has been lost.Tony (66) lives at Earnscleugh, near Alexandra, and is a company manager and director.He is a former mayor of Central Otago and has 27 years’ experience in local government. Tony also served five years as a ministerial appointment to the New Zealand Conservation Authority.“The Otago Regional Council’s reputation has been tarnished by staff and councillor squabbling and the threat of intervention by Minister Parker. I would like to use my skills and experience to restore the public’s confidence in the council,” he said.Alexa ForbesAlexa ForbesQueenstown-based lecturer Alexa Forbes (62) has nine years’ experience in government roles.  Completing the Land and Water Plan is a priority but improving public transport is something that really spins her wheels.“It needs to be; first reliable, second convenient and third frequent. I want to achieve a governance system across the region that provides this. If we can do this, we'll enjoy several co-benefits around greenhouse gas reduction, community connection, air quality and health.”Gary KelliherGary Kelliher Balancing environmental protection with a sustainable economy is the weighty challenge Gary Kelliher wants to focus on if elected.Gary (50) is a farmer and company director and lives at Springvale near Alexandra. He has served two separate terms on the ORC.He says he is seeking “a balanced Land and Water plan that ensures the environment is protected, but enables a sustainable and strong economy with varied land uses”.Enhancing opportunities in agriculture, horticulture, viticulture and tourism would be part of his focus.You can read more from the candidates on The Central App’s election pages here. 

Tarras School’s 24 pupils are one step closer to being able to grab their togs and cool off this summer after a funding boost to help fix their dilapidated pool.School volunteer Liz Carroll-Lowe told the Cromwell Community Board (CCB)this week that swimmers had started sustaining cuts and scratches from the badly damaged fibreglass lining of the pool. Five years ago the wrong type of lining had been applied and the pool was now in “extremely poor condition.”Prior to it being deemed unusable, local residents had used the pool and in summers it had been utilised daily.  Attempts to get tradespeople to come and quote for repairs had dragged on, Liz said, and that experience had felt “a little like trying to knit spaghetti”.Progress had finally been made on costings, other fund-raising activities organised and the CCB agreed on Monday to a $5,000 community grant toward the $75,738.30 total cost.Other community grants issued by the board were $11,270.00 to the Bannockburn Community centre to resurface the floor of the Coronation Hall and refurbish the church bell tower and $13, 903.50 to the Cromwell Menz Shed Charitable Trust to build a security fence at their new shed site.One promotional grant was approved to the Cromwell & Districts Community Arts Council for $1,520 to hire a venue for its annual art exhibition held at the Easter holiday weekend.Board members farewelledThis week’s CCB meeting was the last for the board prior to the coming local body elections.Mayor Tim Cadogan, board chair Anna Harrison and staff thanked board deputy chair Werner Murray, who has served six years, and Tony Buchanan, who has served three years, for their contributions.Deputy chairperson Werner Murray is one of eight community board members not standing for re-election across Central OtagoFour members, two new to the board, are automatically elected due to only four candidates standing for four available seats. They are Bob Scott, Anna Harrison, Mary McConnell and Sarah Browne.  The Central Otago District Council will appoint a further three people to the board as councillors, from those standing for the Cromwell Ward. The candidates are Nigel McKinlay, David George, Neil Gillespie, Cheryl Laws and Shane Norton. Bob Scott had stood for council but withdrew to avoid causing a by-election for the community board if elected.

A possible shortfall of around $6.3M has been identified for Cromwell’s new hall and museum after the budget for everything the community wants in the new facility climbed to close to $38M.Whether some aspects will have to be scaled back or added later will depend partly on the success of applications for grants that will now be made by the Central Otago District Council (CODC) to close the funding gap. Architect Chris Jack, the design team project lead from Christchurch-based firm, Jasmax, yesterday (Monday September 12) presented budgets and concept designs to the Cromwell Community Board along with design partner and Cromwell architect Jessie Sutherland, and CODC property project manager Darren Penketh.The council has set aside $31.5M in its Long-Term Plan budget for the new centre and museum, and estimates from the group totalled $31.8M. These did not include a ‘contingency’ allowance for just over $6M which many board members felt would likely be needed - or even exceeded.Larger chunks of the cost included building and construction at around $21.5M, a museum at just over $4M and insurance and client costs (such as consents) at nearly $2.8M.The 2,950sqm building is laid out in three zones with a performance space incorporating a 400-seat auditorium at the northern end, a large foyer and community space in the middle, and 600sqm museum on the south-eastern corner.The auditorium’s 400-seat limit (aspects of which were questioned by board members Cheryl Laws and Bob Scott) had been arrived at through research and advice from theatre consultants. Studies had been done on other facilities in towns with similar populations, on potential users, and on how to attract touring performers. A need for this size and type of facility in Central Otago and Queenstown areas had been shown.All could be scaled back and the building could be completed initially without the museum then have this added later, without any design compromises, Chris Jack said.The design aimed to allow views over the lakeside and to connect with cycleways and walkways, but also open onto the street frontage, with a new memorial garden as a centrepiece.The taller part of the auditorium had been set back from Melmore Terrace, Jessie Sutherland said, in consideration to nearby residents. This was part of the design team’s effort “to be a good neighbour,” she said.A traffic plan and car parking would be part of the next phase of work with different patterns of use being studied. Lots of detail such as room layouts and building material options would also now be assessed.Cromwell Community Board chair Anna HarrisonIn approving the concept design, board chairp Anna Harrison said she was wary of locking the board into something it might find it couldn’t deliver. The design represented what the community wanted but the costing had been a “snap of realism”.CODC planning and environment executive manager Louise van der Voort told the board the team were showing the “optimal design” with the ability to scale back. Land sales from council-owned developments were looking positive and were likely to boost the Cromwell ward’s future financial position, the meeting heard, although other costly projects were also underway in the town.“The new community board will have to decide on this alongside the renewal of the town centre and it will be subject to the same cost pressures,” board member Nigel McKinlay said.The demolition of the existing hall was delayed for a second time while further investigations are done on re-using materials from it, such as the sprung wooden floor. It would also be useful (still standing) as a place to store materials but the delay did not indicate it may be kept longer term.“We are not slowing things down,” board member and deputy mayor Neil Gillespie said, “just taking a cautious approach.”A fresh report on the uses and removal plan for the old hall would be presented at the first meeting of the new board post-election, in November.

Three members of the Teviot Valley Community Board were farewelled yesterday (Friday September 9) including chairperson Raymond Gunn who has served 12 years.Mayor Tim Cadogan said they would be greatly missed and had been part of a cohesive and respectful group.“Every member should be very proud of your efforts over the last three years. It hasn’t always been an easy road over this term but this board has handled the challenges well.”The inaugural meeting of the new board - to be elected on October 8 - will be held on November 2. Grants issuedMeanwhile the board approved two community grants totalling $3,786.00. The Teviot Valley Board is allocated $5,000 to distribute as community grants for the 2022/2023 financial year and $2,000 for promotion grants. These are granted during two rounds of applications from local groups.This Masonic Lodge building in Roxburgh is soon to be a museumYesterday the Roxburgh Pioneer Energy Brass Band gained $2,000 toward its operating costs and the Teviot District Museum received $1,786.The latter is in the process of purchasing the Masonic Lodge building to relocate the museum to the main street.No applications were received for promotional grants, in what is the first of two distribution rounds.The Roxburgh Golf Club would be encouraged to apply for the grants in future to help off-set costs such as pest and weed control associated with maintaining the large land area at the course. 

Funding grants are being sought to cover a shortfall between the $22M allocated by the Central Otago District Council (CODC) for Cromwell’s new hall and museum, and the cost of providing all desired parts of the project.The Cromwell Community Board resolved last month, during a closed meeting, to apply for funds for the project from the Lotteries Commission.  The board also authorised the council’s CEO to apply to the Otago Community Trust, Central Lakes Trust and other agencies to help enable as many design elements as possible to be incorporated into the facility.A concept design for the new lakeside facility, compiled by architects Jazmax, will be discussed by the Cromwell Community Board on Monday (September 12).An ‘external stakeholders’ group, working together with the CODC, had identified what would be desired in the new cultural centre development. This included a 400-seat auditorium, performance ‘back of house’ facilities for theatrical and live performance groups, a large foyer community space, a bar, commercial kitchen and large events space.An artist’s impression of the proposed new culture centre, as viewed from Melmore Terrace, showing the relocated war memorial at rightAlso on the list is a flexible space with a sprung floor suitable for rehearsal and other group activities, small and medium meeting spaces, operational, service and administrative facilities, a new museum, café and 40-seat cinema.The stakeholders group includes representatives from the Cromwell Cultural Centre Trust, Cromwell RSA, Fine Thyme Theatre, Cromwell Town and Country Club, and Cromwell Museum.   To incorporate all items would push the floor space out to near 3,000sqm. This size was desired by community members who gave feedback to an earlier council public consultation exercise although the current project was embarked upon working on a budget relating to a 2,000sqm facility.The board's approval of the concept design will be needed on Monday for the project to progress and for applications to be submitted for the funding grants, according to a council report. This proposed concept layout for Cromwell's new cultural centre will be reviewed on Monday by the Cromwell Community BoardJasmax had provided a “staged design methodology” which would allow the design to be reviewed, amended and scaled down if necessary, as funding was secured, the report stated.Progress on the funding applications would be updated early next year.The board's approval will also be required for the demolition of the existing Cromwell Memorial Hall to go ahead. In March this year the board decided to hold off on the demolition of the old hall until there was a plan to replace it. The report stated that the demolition will allow further geotechnical investigation under the current building which will “support the design/layout of the new building.”

Residents who gathered at the St Aiden’s Church supper room to hear 13 local government candidates speak yesterday (Wednesday September 7), certainly earned their tea and cake following an afternoon of grappling with big issues facing Central Otago.Around 50 people attended the Alexandra ‘meet the candidates’ event hosted by Grey Power, and the opening address by mayor Tim Cadogan (elected unopposed) put the current times into context.“Change, change, change…that’s where we are heading now.”He told the crowd the October 8 election was likely to be the most important in the Central Otago District Council’s history.In a mix of suggested topics and their own ideas, candidates spoke of housing, museums, infrastructure, rates, the environment, and water. Unpopular central government policies and pine trees - wilding and otherwise - also regularly popped up throughout the two-hour session.First speaker David George (Cromwell Ward) favoured helping young families with childcare support, supporting co-governance and reviewing museum spending. “I am unashamedly in support of co-governance, if you don’t like that don’t vote for me.”Shane Norton speaks to residents. At the table from left is Tamah Alley, Dr Roger Browne, Jayden Cromb, Martin McPherson (obscured), Maurice Vaughan, Mason Robinson, Alexa Forbes, Michael Laws, Gary Kelliher, Mike Barker and Tony LepperFellow Cromwell Ward candidate Shane Norton was more concerned with housing provision across all age groups, seeing potential in council-owned land being used, possibly incorporating tiny or transportable housing.The sports-mad radio station owner said he would push for free swimming pool access across the district if elected.Vincent Ward candidate Tamah Alley, who spent 12 years as a police constable, said developers could be incentivised by council to provide more housing options such as smaller sections. High costs of living in the area had become “really noticeable” in the past two years, she said.Council needed to really work on waste management to avoid growing costs of sending material to landfill, she told the crowd.Dr Roger Browne (also of the Vincent Ward) said he was saddened to see older people having to leave the district or couples having to live separately due to a lack of facilities in Central.  He was keen to seek restoration of council funding to Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery, to reverse an earlier removal of support by council. His view was not supported by the following speaker, Jayden Cromb (Vincent Ward), who said young people had told him the museum was “dark, boring and never changes.”Jayden, a father of three who works in the social services sector, favoured higher density housing where needed and more education on recycling to help people better avoid landfill use.Current Vincent Community Board chair Martin McPherson told voters there was no easy fix for the housing issue and “phenomenal” growth was a big issue which council was partly addressing through Plan Change 19 {rezoning}.“There is no silver bullet for that issue but there are models that can be looked at.”Vincent Ward candidate and economist Maurice Vaughan extolled the introduction of a people’s bank to promote ethical social investment. He distributed pamphlets to the audience outlining an Australian model of such an initiative.Maurice told voters he was inspired to stand by his opposition to the government’s 3 Waters proposals, as outlined at a Groundswell meeting.Teviot Valley’s Mason Robinson drew appreciation from the mainly-senior crowd with his call to focus on the “three Rs” – roads, rubbish and rates.The former Jimmy’s Pies baker left that kitchen to gain a degree in politics and economics and is a local National Party branch chair.The 3 Waters Reforms were “the bane of his existence” with so many people believing them to be “too much”, he said.At the end of the long table the five Otago Regional Council candidates vying for three available seats on the Dunstan Ward were led by an energetic Alexa Forbes. Her great concern was the lack of enough action on the environment and the challenge of balancing economic interests with protection.The Lake Onslow pumped hydro scheme – a project candidates were asked to comment on – had her “very worried” culturally and in an environmental sense.“The mixing of water there is untenable for iwi,” she said.Michael Laws felt the vast Dunstan zone was difficult for three elected members to represent and also that ORC staff needed to be located in situ to better understand the area they served.He was very aware of the big rates rises – 48 per cent last year and 18 per cent this year – and believed better communication was needed.“There are 15 communications staff at ORC, I don’t know what they do as I don’t see any effective communication coming out of our council.”Farmer and roading contractor Gary Kelliher said the setting of minimum flows for the Manuherikia River should have been a straightforward process as all parties cared deeply for the river but instead it had driven a wedge into the community.He was concerned over commercial carbon forestry as a threat to farming and communities and also worried the ORC had potential staff structure issues.“I’m not okay with managers, on managers, on managers.”Marine scientist Mike Barker described the 3 Waters Reforms as “half-baked” and wanted environmental monitoring of water bodies to measure things like sediment and nutrient levels over time. “We know almost nothing about this background information. We need to know.”Former CODC mayor Tony Lepper said he was spurred to re-enter local politics by the ORC making headlines “for all the wrong reasons”.A member of the Rural Water Technical Advisory Group for the 3 Waters reforms, Tony said it was important to be on board and try and find solutions, despite believing the reforms to be “fundamentally dumb”.As the event concluded an audience member asked candidates to declare if they were members of the anti-government group Voices For Freedom. All said no but Maurice Vaughan defended the group as an “important contributor to what is going on in New Zealand”.Affiliations with groups stirred further debate but the issue was deftly put to rest by organisers.“I think we should leave the affiliation business there and let it lie,” Grey Power’s Margaret Hill said.

As the Vincent Community Board allocated over $26,000 to a range of groups yesterday (Tuesday September 6), its chairperson concluded the local community was now “buoyant and optimistic”.The board was holding its final meeting with current members, before a new board is formed after the October local body elections.Two members not standing for re-election. Anna Robinson and Sharleen Stirling-Lindsay were farewelled with chair Martin McPherson acknowledging their contribution.“We are losing two very valuable members who have decided it’s time to move on.”Anna Robinson (left) and Sharleen Stirling-Lindsay share a joke with the board as they are farewelled yesterdayHe felt the new board, once elected, would be working from “a fairly solid platform.”“We have seen a lot happen in the village over these past three years. New supermarkets, retirement villages, the amount of economic development which is going on, buildings which are going up…the town is buoyant I feel and generally speaking people’s outlook is optimistic.”As one of its final tasks, the board allocated community and promotional grants from monies set aside for the 2022/23 financial year.Six thousand went to the Alexandra and Districts Youth Trust towards rent for the Alexandra Youth Hub, $4,600 to the Alexandra Toy Library towards a new toilet and carpet upgrade, $1,500 to the Earnscleugh Community Society Inc for maintaining the community hall, and $1,235 to the Lower Manorburn Reserve working group towards a planting and protection project. The board did not approve a request for $15,000 for Omakau’s Blacks Hill Cricket Club for resurfacing its wicket and nets but decided this be funded as part of the council’s parks department budget.From the promotional grants funding pool, the board allocated $8,000 to the Prospector Race Ltd for event marketing and $5,000 to the Waiata Theatre Productions Ltd towards performance rights for staging the long-awaited ‘Les Miserables’.The Prospector race is a large-scale mountain bike event to be held next year.Prior to yesterday’s decisions the board had $38,000 for community grants for this initial funding round and the second round in the first half of next year. The total promotion grant pool was $18,196 for both rounds.

Detailed design plans can now go ahead for Alexandra’s riverside park development, first formally mooted five years ago.In 2017 a group of local business people formed the Alexandra Riverside Park Trust to progress an idea of rejuvenating lower Tarbert Street.The aim was to create a modern and inviting new public space at the junction of the Mata-au/Clutha and Manuherekia Rivers. The vision, according to a Central Otago District Council report, was to integrate the two rivers and adjacent riverside with the pedestrian heart of Alexandra. “This would become a space for family-friendly recreation and community events, as well as being a destination for cyclists and walkers using the network of local trails,” the report said.“This improved and revitalised space will be the building block from which businesses and activities in this area can grow.”Yesterday (Tuesday September 6)  the Vincent Community Board decided a draft concept plan of what the park would look like can be developed in more detail.Council earlier allocated $650,000 to be raised through a loan, toward planning and construction work for the project. It was likely a Tourism Infrastructure Fund grant of $325,000 would be able to be used on the project to offset a chunk of the loan amount.Late last year the draft concept plan was developed for the site and consultation was held with iwi representative organisation, Aukaha, which, the report stated, has a significant cultural interest in the site, being the meeting point of both the Clutha Mata-au and Manuherekia rivers.“Aukaha is working closely with council on this project.”Resource consents are being progressed with both the Otago Regional Council (ORC) and Central Otago District Council for the development, yesterday’s meeting heard.  A pontoon anchored in the river was thought to be the only potentially ‘problematic’ issue under the ORC’s umbrella of responsibility.A public survey on the project attracting 86 responses had yielded very positive feedback with only two respondents ‘strongly disagreeing” that it would revitalise the area.

Deciding who gets a seat around our council table is more important than ever as Central Otago and the whole country navigates a bumpy period of economic, environmental and social turbulence.There are large scale projects being proposed in Central and major reforms on water services, managing resources and how local government itself is organised… all against a backdrop of climate change and general economic uncertainties.Central Otago has discovered new gold in cycle tourism and lifestyle living but it now costs a bomb for the average family to live here and there are few options for workers seeking housing. We asked the 16 candidates standing for 11 available seats on the Central Otago District Council four questions to help voters decide who to back on election day, October 8.For the sake of you, our readers, who are often bombarded with information, we challenged them to keep answers short and sharp.Responses are presented in random order and you can read more in the candidate statements on our ‘Elections 2022’ button here.Questions:Q1. If Christchurch International Airport Ltd's feasibility studies for the proposed new international airport at Tarras prove positive, would you be supportive of them proceeding with the project? Q2. What is the greatest challenge facing our area that you are most passionate about addressing, through gaining a seat at the council table? Q3. Central government has been introducing a more well-being focused role for local government with stronger involvement in shaping community development. Do you agree with this or should councils be sticking to the traditional nuts and bolts work of waste management, maintaining roading, water, footpaths, parks and facilities?   Q4. Where is your 'happy place' in Central Otago and why do you love to go there?  Responses:Nigel McKinlay, Cromwell WardQ1. In principle yes, but greater transparency is needed on such issues as flight paths/noise and on mitigating environmental impacts.Q2. Fighting government's 3 Waters co-governance proposals that undermine democracy and opposing loss of local control and assets.Q3. Council's role is low rate increases, efficient services and infrastructure, and protecting the environment. This allows people to make their own choices.Q4. Happy place: Working with my wife Pauline on our Gate 20 Two vineyard in Bannockburn.Jayden Cromb, Vincent WardQ1. I won't personally be affected so this should be up to those living in Tarras.Q2. Affordable housing. Please visit www.facebook.com/Jayden-Cromb for more information.Q3. Definitely. Coming from a social services background I believe this is in the best interest of everyone.Q4. Happy place: Walking around Aronui Dam with my wife, kids and dog.  Sarah Browne, Cromwell WardQ1. Tarras airport: Not necessarily [supportive], I would want to see this action robust community and location studies as the next phase.Q2. Ensuring we don't bastardise our town for "quick fix" or "affordable" housing solutions.Q3. Connecting the council with its people can never be a bad thing. Can't we do both?Q4. Happy place: Cardrona in winter or by the lake in summer; reminding me why I choose to live here and love it.Maurice Vaughan, Vincent WardQ1. Have concerns about an international airport at Tarras. Relying on tourism as an income earner in the current Covid environment is unpredictable. Secondly environmental concerns.Q2. I believe we are heading for a possible recession, compounded by a high interest environment. Quantitative easing by banks worldwide just kicked the problem of excess debt down the road. A significant correction has to happen. Hence importance of building local resilience and support networks.Q3. Ignoring the social welfare concerns of communities is bad economics. Significant economic downturn is a possibility which will compound distress, hence an important focus for local government.Q4. My happy place in Central Otago is my old homestead at Matakanui. Built of mud brick in 1875. Restoring it is indeed happiness producing.Sally Feinerman, Teviot Valley WardQ1. Tarras Airport: I would support this based on social and economic benefits and buy-in from the community.Q2. I am passionate about better preparing for climate change for us and future generations.Q3. Covid taught us well-being is essential; our communities need to be supported, therefore, I agree.Q4. Happy place: Walking at Butcher’s Dam. So many great trails to explore and amazing views.Tamah Alley, Vincent Ward Q1. It’s unlikely that Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes need serviced by two international airports, though there may be a case for our primary industries to have access to greater freight opportunities.Q2. Ensuring we maintain momentum on projects underway in the face of “the great resignation”, without cost overruns getting away on us over the next few years.Q3. Given the rise in loneliness, lack of connection in communities and challenges with mental health for many, I think council supporting people where appropriate to be more connected alongside the nuts and bolts of core infrastructure is a good thing.Q4. Happy place: The Alex end of the Clyde river track, it’s just magical through all the seasons, and a good way to wear out kids for an afternoon.Ian Cooney, Vincent WardQ1. Tarras Airport: That would perhaps be a decision to be made by a higher authority.Q2. Central government’s agenda of centralisation and separation of local government services has the potential to be detrimental to small communities like ours both in terms of loss of democratic representation, and impacts upon quality of service. The new council will be tasked with attempting to make the best of this situation.Q3. It is my view that if local councils do their job well in providing reliable, resilient infrastructure, undertaking responsible planning, and maintaining safe community spaces that the communities well-being outcomes, insofar as local government can influence these, will be met.Q4. Happy place: Watching my children play, perform in, and enjoy Central Otago's wonderful sporting, recreational, and cultural community spaces.Mason Robinson, Teviot Valley WardQ1. No, Queenstown, Invercargill and Dunedin airports should serve the future growth of Central Otago.Q2. Delivering careful, effective fiscal management for Central Otago in these uncertain economic times.Q3. I disagree, councils should be focussed on roads, rubbish and keeping rates low.Q4. Happy place: Mount Benger, it provides the best view of the best place in the country.Neil Gillespie, Cromwell WardQ1. Tarras Airport: There is a lot of information we don't know yet and there is a comprehensive process to come. Until we have the full picture in front of us, I feel it’s too soon to form a view.Q2. The next the years will see significant reforms of the 3 Waters space, the Resource Management Act and the structure of local government. The present levels of service need to be maintained and grown while being carefully balanced by elected members considering the cost and benefits for ratepayers.Q3. Council needs to reflect the views of the community and provide the levels of service required - social and community wellbeing are every bit as important as the “nuts and bolts” work.Q4. Happy place: At home in Lowburn where I can look at the Pisa Range and its ever changing views.David George, Cromwell WardQ1. Tarras airport: I plan to remain neutral.Q2. The coming of the cycle trail to Cromwell and through will bring wealth and growth. Q3. We can do both [well-being/community and ‘nuts and bolts’ services work] easily.Q4. My happy place is at the top of the Nevis Road. Lynley Claridge, Vincent Ward Q1. Central Otago is a “World of Difference”. Massive planes flying through its peaceful plains? It depends on the benefits to, and the feelings of, the people of Central Otago. Too early to comment yet.Q2. Government reforms being fair and appropriate... the three waters asset takeover is not. Seeing to completion current projects I’ve been involved in while on council.Q3. Of utmost importance is a robust infrastructure, roading, bridges etc to support livelihoods, therefore supporting wellbeing.Q4. My happy place is the wide open spaces, the rivers, and hills of Central Otago I call home.Martin McPherson, Vincent WardQ1. Tarras Airport: It’s too early to form [an] opinion on this proposal as the devil is always in the details.Q2. Unsustainable growth. Planning and urban design, new infrastructure needs and changes to the RMA will see significant changes in our district.Q3. I see us able to do both - maintain our traditional roles as well as seeking ways and means to ensuring our viability going forward.Q4. Happy place: There’s a spot below Shaky bridge that the dog and I like to visit on summer days. I sit and think and he sits and drinks. Shane Norton, Cromwell WardQ1. As someone who lives in the proposed flight path I’m positive about the opportunities it could present. However, I don’t live in Tarras, so don’t think my opinion counts.Q2. Affordable housing for young and old.Q3. Council should stick to their knitting and start catching up on maintenance to infrastructure that has been neglected over decades. Q4. Happy place: In any of our great pubs, especially the ones that sell real craft beer. Roger Browne, Vincent WardQ1. Tarras Airport: No. Encouraging air travel is not consistent with the mitigation of climate change.Q2. Restoring Central Stories as our premium district museum and art gallery.Q3. Ensuring the nuts and bolts are in good working order is the best way of ensuring well-being.Q4. Happy place: The Lake Dunstan bike trail ― fresh air and great views plus plenty of exercise. Cheryl Laws, Cromwell WardQ1. Until all the evidence is available and that includes, scientific, cultural and economic,only then would I be in a position to make a decision and that’s a long way off.Q2. The loss of three waters introduces anti-democratic co-governance and with localgovernment currently under review the right for our community to determine its ownfuture is under genuine threat.Q3. The two are interlinked. Without council providing its core business such as waste,roading, parks etc social, cultural, physical and mental wellbeing is not achievable.Q4. Happy place: With three teenagers in the house, anywhere that’s quiet. Tracy Paterson, Vincent WardQ1. Tarras airport: I have not made any decision either way regarding this project. There are a lot of factors to consider and evaluate. Q2. Getting our core business done on time and within budget. Q3. With local government reform (together with every other reform) on our doorsteps it certainly looks that way, however I strongly believe that local people have the best knowledge to get the “nuts and bolts” done. Q4. My happy place is up in the hills of home (Matakanui Station) looking at the breath-taking Manuherikia Valley. Stuart Duncan is the only candidate standing for the single Maniototo Ward council seat so is therefore automatically elected to that and the Maniototo Community Board. Finally, a note from Bob Scott, Cromwell Ward, who withdrew his council-seat nomination.“As one of only four candidates for the four vacancies on the Cromwell Community Board, I have been automatically elected. If I were to put myself forward for election to council and was successful, there would need to be a by-election for the community board vacancy as I would have to withdraw from that position. I do not want to be responsible for causing a delay in the important work of the board and the additional expense that a by-election would necessarily cause.” 

Three local groups will split a haul of 112 logs to use for fund-raising after a council tree clearing project at the Sugarloaf Scenic reserve near Cromwell.While some residents were upset to see a landmark shelterbelt felled as part of the wilding pine removal operation, the Central Otago District Council (CODC) deemed it necessary to prevent the invasive species from spreading.CODC parks and recreation manager Gordon Bailey said he was pleased to see the logs being put to good use.The felled trees were offered up to the community and council received interest from the Bannockburn Bowling Club, Cromwell Volunteer Fire Brigade and Cromwell BMX Club. Each group received one-third of the logs to progress fundraising opportunities.“The bowling club is holding the fours and mixed pairs national championships in February next year and funding-raising efforts include replacement of the ditch board around the green and releveling the green itself, according to a council media statement.The fire brigade was keen to auction off the logs as firewood for general fundraising.“The BMX club has a number of projects on the go that need funding including the introduction of a new incentive to get more girls on bikes called the 'Ruby Project'.” The all-girl initiative was aimed at boosting confidence on the tracks and trails. The club would also put the funds towards lime to protect the surface of the track, and provide a contribution to coaches’ petrol costs and travel costs for club members to get away to events in the North Island this year.“This is exactly the sort of result that we wanted to see following the operation, to help community groups achieve their aspirations and goals,” Gordon said.

The removal of asbestos from the Cromwell Memorial Hall has been completed in preparation for the structure to be demolished.A Central Otago District Council (CODC) spokesperson said no date had yet been set, however, for the demolition, which will clear the way for the town’s new facility.CODC property and facilities manager Garreth Robinson said that from a sustainability point of view, the hall still needed to be assessed to establish what assets could be salvaged and reused.Funding of $2.2M has been approved for the design project of a new hall/cultural centre.The total cost for the facility has been set at $16M plus $6M for a new museum at the lakeside site.Christchurch-based firm Jasmax, working with Cromwell architect Jess Sutherland as a design partner, were awarded the design contract in November last year.An advisory group consisting of Cr Nigel McKinlay, Cromwell Community Board chairperson Anna Harrison, CODC property and facilities manager Garreth Robinson and executive manager, planning and environment Louise van der Voort is overseeing the project. Five groups are also represented on a stakeholders group for the new hall including the Cromwell Cultural Centre, Cromwell RSA, Fine Thyme Theatre, Cromwell Town and Country Club and Cromwell Museum.   End of toy story at the hall: Users had already vacated when the council moved to start closing off access. The 62-year-old hall on Melmore Terrace, now closed, had been set to be removed in July but this was delayed when the community board requested more information regarding what was to be built in its place.CODC says the project has now moved from investigation to concept design stage with the council’s contractor presenting some of the ideas to staff and stakeholders.“We should hear more about these at the next Cromwell Community Board meeting on Monday 12 September,” Garreth said.

The cost of funding $3.21M worth community projects – with loos being a priority – is likely to be met by central government rather than ratepayers, if an application by the Central Otago District Council (CODC) is successful.Two and a half billion dollars is being made available to councils across the country to help them transition through the widely-unpopular Three Waters reforms, without becoming worse off.The funding is for local government to invest in ‘community wellbeing’ and a lengthy discussion ensued this week when councillors had to approve a project list provided by staff.Despite CODC currently submitting against aspects of the Three Waters reforms and stating its overall disapproval of the government’s plans, the funding is openly available.There are two stages, with projects in the first expected to be delivered within 18 months.The second funding round is available from July 1 2024, but it is possible that it may be affected if there is a change in government next year, as the National Party has said it would repeal and rework the Three Waters reforms. All the projects are either already budgeted for in the council’s Long-term Plan, have evolved and need more funds, are being brought forward to be actioned earlier than initially budgeted for, or are current issues that would otherwise need to be paid for by ratepayers.At a meeting in Alexandra on Wednesday (August 24), council approved a revised list of projects to be funded in the first stage with monies expected to be available from October 1, following approval from the Department of Internal Affairs.Toilets at the Cromwell Bike Park were upped in priority. The latter were seen as greatly needed due to the popularity of the park with young families and the distance to the nearest available toilets being too inconvenient for users.“The Alpha Street toilets are a long way away from the bike park. They’ve tried temporary loos there but they just get vandalised. We need something as soon as possible,” Cr Shirley Calvert said.Cr Nigel McKinlay supported the urgency of installing toilets at the park, where he said usage was “increasing all the time”.Projects approved and given priority included Iwi/Māori engagement to meet the second funding stage requirements ($50,000), Community Wellbeing Framework and Indicator Dataset ($90,000), Digitisation of files and online access ($251,500), Cromwell Pool sand filter and therapeutic pool liner ($400,000), Alexandra Pool liners, ($220,000), Alexandra Community Centre earthquake strengthening and stage upgrades ($584,500), Clyde Hall kitchen and accessible bathroom, fire system upgrade and double glazing ($182,500), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for libraries district-wide ($361,000), council-owned buildings seismic assessments and other compliance reports ($320,000), new Roxburgh Pool fencing project ($108,000), Cromwell Bike Park toilets ($235,000) and the Alexandra Library Renovation project ($611,500), according to a council media statement.A list of contingency projects to be put forward for approval in the event of delays in delivering the initial list, or if costs come in below estimates, includes emergency electrical generators ($120,000), war memorials ($30,000), replacing flags district wide ($15,000), promotional videos for businesses for staff recruitment ($20,000), park furniture for Maniototo and Teviot Valleys ($45,000), shade sails ($100,000), Cromwell cemetery upgrade ($100,000), Starlink Communications ($30,000), and new kerbside bins ($750,000).Council has been allocated $9.63M for the second stage and those projects will be reviewed as part of its 2024 Long Term Plan budgeting exercise.

Water system repairs and other costs incurred after July’s flooding in the Maniototo and Manuherikia areas have totalled $165,000 but are a drop in the ocean compared to the cost of future-proofing the infrastructure.The repair bill was approved yesterday (Wednesday August 24) by the Central Otago District Council for payment from its emergency event fund.The majority of the costs were associated with the flooding at Omakau’s riverside wastewater treatment plant and ponds, which were completely inundated.  Tanker hire to bring water to residents and cartage costs to Naseby were included in the bill.The event had highlighted a need for a more permanent solution to avoid future repair costs and to relocate discharges away from the river. This was something council had been looking into for some time.Elected members were told that options being considered include a combined treatment plant for Alexandra, Clyde and Omakau, as both the Alexandra and Omakau resource consents were due for renewal in the next five years.“A solution which provides treatment and discharge which meets current environmental requirements is expected to be in the region of $30 million to $60 million,” a council report estimated.Messy business: A damaged section of pond-liner is pulled back into place and anchored following July's flooding of the Omakau wastewater pondsThe ponds at Omakau were constructed in 1965 then largely untouched until an upgrade in 2018 when they were cleared of sludge and a synthetic liner added.“In the last 18 months security fencing has also been installed, and a power supply provided to enable an inlet screen to be installed,” yesterday’s meeting heard.Previously the ponds were flooded in July 2017 when considerable damage occurred, and again in November the following year.In 2017 the pond embankment and concrete wavebands on both ponds were damaged. Both floods deposited gravel and silt into the ponds, the extent of which was not fully understood until after they were emptied. At its peak flow during last month’s flood, the Manuherikia River carried a huge volume of water of 500 cubic meters per second. Only the tops of the security fence were visible at the peak of the flood.Cr Tracey Paterson said yesterday it was very important for council staff to keep the local community informed about the ongoing repair work and future plans.

Despite recently deciding not to donate land to an affordable housing project, the Central Otago District Council has requested staff continue to research ways to address the issue.The council has subdivision developments currently underway in Alexandra and Cromwell. The final stage of the Gair Avenue project in Cromwell is tagged for apartments and other more affordable housing types to be developed, as well as some stand-alone houses.If council missed the opportunity to ensure that young families were first in line for the more affordable options, mayor Tim Cadogan said at a meeting on Wednesday, they would have failed the community.  Tim addressed the meeting via a livestream link due to having tested positive for Covid-19 yesterday morning (Wednesday August 24).A recent survey had shown around three-quarters of respondents felt council did have a role to play in housing.Tim believed simple criteria could be established that prevented buyers (such as “boomers” looking for holiday homes) from displacing families and workers wanting to settle in the area.“It would be unforgivable in my view, given the steer we’ve got from our community, to do anything other than have a consideration of how we make sure that if we build affordable housing, it gets sold to the right people.”He believed some manipulation of the market was needed but not all agreed it was possible.“I think the market is the market and there can be unintended consequences of trying to manipulate it,” Cr Nigel McKinley said.He believed the mixed housing already planned for Gair Avenue would provide options for buyers and the project needed to get to market as soon as possible.Others also expressed concern over limitations in affordable options for elderly people across the district wishing to down-size and stay in the area.It was agreed that council-led developments should consider including provision for different housing types, and the full picture of housing in the district be assessed with a view to finding parties council could work with to achieve its goals.Through the planning process, developers could also be encouraged to consider different types of housing, which could be financially rewarding as well as attractive to desired types of buyers.Following the lengthy discussion on affordable housing an additional agreement was reached that staff research ways of creating preferential purchase options for developments on council land.

They’re not called tourists anymore, they are visitors who come to Central Otago as an extension to our community, according to a new plan for Central’s tourism.The tourism industry is changing nationwide as well as globally and in Central Otago the idea is to get ahead of the crowd.A lot of money and time has been invested in producing the district’s new Destination Management Plan, which sets out a new way of doing things for the industry.The plan, due to be released on Friday, is one of 31 such plans being created by regional tourism organisations nationwide.They are funded by central government and aim to give the way Kiwis think about and manage the industry a thorough post-Covid, environmental, and social make-over.The idea was to better balance out the benefits of tourism with the inevitable burdens, Tourism Central Otago’s (TCO) Anthony Longman says. These burdens could include pressure on roads, services, communities, and the environment.Acknowledging Māori history and culture and changing the whole focus to attracting visitors who might be inclined to contribute to the place, rather than just “take”, were at the heart of the plan. A greater focus on managing, and less on marketing, was also central to the work.Aspirations for short and longer-term tourism management have been created, from a 12-month plan to 10-year plans, with a view right out to how the industry will evolve over 50 years.TCO general manager Dylan Rushbrook says Central Otago was well placed to make the “significant mindset shift” across its tourism industry, with the type of visitors already coming here being largely those who appreciated and respected the natural environment. “In the past communities have been required to serve tourism. What we’re trying to do is flip that around and so actually it’s now tourism that’s going to be serving the community.”Dylan said it was important for visitors to understand what Central Otago’s values were and to engage with local people.Domestic visitors on wheels fit in well with the way we like to do tourism in Central Otago, according to a new planCyclists (seen as holding huge potential as beneficial visitors for the area) tended to travel at a leisurely pace, visit small local businesses and interact with residents.Plan of actionIdeas mooted include a ‘talent lab’ to educate young people entering the industry, partnerships with organisations working in areas like native plant restoration, and the development of a pledge visitors might sign or agree to, regarding how they will give back to the area. Ideas would be developed on incorporating Māori history and culture into people’s experience of Central Otago and enhancing everyone’s understanding of it, be they international or domestic visitors or local residents. A closer working relationship with neighbouring areas is also being further cemented to allow knowledge to be exchanged on things like developing a new cycle trail and all that goes with that, Dylan said.How the work will be implemented was the immediate priority with a new governance group soon to be appointed. An existing tourism advisory board would be dissolved, and he hoped some of those members would move over to the new group. The plan is broken into nine sections and includes statements of ambition and challenge, values, strategies and key performance indicators for long term planning. It also contains 80 pages of results from a community engagement survey.It has been over 18 months in the making with Dylan and Anthony devoting around 30 to 40 per cent of their time to it. The plan was developed in partnership with consultancy Aukaha to ensure all aspects of Māori history and culture were incorporated.  Considerable industry research was undertaken and a plethora of groups, individuals and businesses contributed to the document through workshops, planning and surveys.Central government, through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) funded $125,000 for Angus & Associates as lead consultants on the plan, $17,000 for Aukaha, and $110,000 for various research work.TCO has received $1M from MBIE overall, through its recent Tourism Communities: Support, Recovery and Re-Set Plan programme, according to MBIE’s website.The organisation, which is part of the Central Otago District Council (CODC) will use the government funding for the first 12 months of implementation of the plan, estimated to be between $200,000 and $300,000. CODC elected members were advised ongoing costs of $250,000 to $300,000 per annum would be required to keep the work going, and in addition an allowance of $70,000 every five years would be needed for a “refresh” of the plan and research, according to a statement from CODC.Council will not be making a decision on this until next year, as part of the Annual Plan adoption process for 2023 and 2024. This would enable staff time to explore alternative funding mechanisms.

Residents of Shortcut Road in Cromwell will have to get used to traffic rumbling past their doors again from Monday (August 29) as work resumes on the town’s new roundabouts.The two roundabouts opened to traffic in early June but only as a temporary measure, says  Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) principal project manager Brendon French.The single lane facility in an area near Nichols Garden Centre – locally known as vets’ corner – is being funded by central government and the second at the intersection of SH8 and Barry Avenue is being paid for by the developers of the Wooing Tree subdivision.“We wanted to give plenty of notice that the roundabout routes are closing for a few months until they can be opened permanently before Christmas,” Brendon said.He described the use of the partially-completed roundabouts as “an early test drive” for motorists.“We could only do this because winter temperatures were too cold to successfully apply a permanent topcoat seal to both roundabouts. In the meantime, crews have been preparing the area for landscaping and building footpaths.”Heavy rain during the period damaged the approaches, with pot-holes appearing and being patched, only to appear again after the next downpour. The detour will remain until late November and is approved for heavy vehicles, he said.Work to complete the two roundabouts includes landscaping, permanent sealing, roadworks linking the two and the building of a cycle and pedestrian underpass near the Barry Ave intersection roundabout.From mid-September, a road closure will be in place on SH8B between Sargood Road and the Wooing Tree roundabout for the underpass work. Earlier this year NZTA informed the Central Otago District Council it will be building footpaths through the grassed area between the Big Fruit carpark and Barry Avenue, to link with the new underpass. NZTA requested permission to fence off this area while construction was underway.

Six “critical requirements” that make the huge Lake Onslow hydro-project technically feasible appear to have been met, according to the latest update.Work is ongoing but investigations had found so far there is enough elevated water storage space as well as sites that could support the building of a dam wall.  Ample power-generating capacity would also be possible through the proposed under-ground plant and tunnel system, the Minister of Energy and Resources Dr Megan Wood told Cabinet this month.“The various tunnel options could support up to 1,500 MW, with up to six turbines/pumps of 250 MW each. For comparison, New Zealand’s largest hydro plant is Lake Manapōuri, with installed capacity of 850 MW. Huntly power station has a total installed capacity of 953 MW.”The fourth requirement for a nearby connection to the national grid had been confirmed by state-owned electricity transmission body, Transpower, and sufficient water was available for pumping up to the lake. “The Clutha River/Mata Au is sufficiently lower in altitude than Lake Onslow and has enough water to pump from,” the minister’s Cabinet paper stated.The last requirement that had been met, was for suitable places to construct the 16 to 24km of tunnelling and to locate water intakes from the river. The work has been done as part of the government’s $100M NZ Battery Project study which is looking at various options for boosting New Zealand’s power supply around the country.The minister told Cabinet that demand for electricity was expected to grow rapidly with the electrification of transport and industrial processes. It was expected to increase substantially over the coming decades. “Meeting the demand from this rapid electrification of the economy, along with replacing around 7 TWh[terawatt hours] per annum of fossil fuel generation, requires a huge and sustained increase in renewable generation. This is expected to come from private investment in wind, solar and geothermal generation plant.”With wind and solar generation being intermittent, however, and storage of electricity being an ongoing issue, New Zealand’s dry year supply risk was expected to continue.New Zealand relies heavily on hydro power but the supply of that is weather-dependentHydro storage and generation provides 55 to 60 per cent of the country’s electricity needs but is susceptible to low water supplies in dry years. This dictates how much electricity can be generated each year and the $4B Onslow project is seen as a solution to this. It could also have uses as more of a year-round power supply.A full feasibility analysis of the project is expected to be completed by December. Megan Woods says she will also give updates to cabinet that month, on alternative options for boosting supply.  Some of these were also showing promise.She would be seeking decisions on which option, if any, should then progress to a detailed business case.Of the $100M provided for the NZ Battery Project study, $30M was tagged for the initial feasibility study (phase one) and $63M for the development of a detailed business case (phase two). The balance was for staffing and overheads.The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has spent $10M on the feasibility work so far, around $8M of that at Lake Onslow.The paper acknowledged that the Onslow scheme would come with some significant trade-offs against environmental, social and cultural values.  The area’s valued fishing resources and the loss of farmland were noted but information around discussions that have taken place with mana whenua were not detailed in the public version of the paper.