Economic Development
Council has identified 'future-proofing' the Clutha District as a priority. We are working hard to promote growth to combat some of the challenges in our district. We want to growit by making it an attractive place to live, work, play, and invest.
It's a simple choice to actively promote growth or be a bystander in our district's future.
Like other rural areas in New Zealand, our population has declined in recent years, although we continue to hold our own on other indicators, such as GDP per capita. Our population is predicted to remain stable at around 17,000. At the moment there are approximately 12,500 rateable properties in our district.
Our work to promote growth is closely linked with our Living and Working Strategy. This is available on our Strategies webpage.
Council recognises that promoting growth must be done sustainably, meaning any investments made to promote growth will generate returns that repay the initial investment, including interest. Where any opportunity to promote growth won't achieve a rates-neutral position, we will consult ratepayers before a decision is made.
Two of our current projects are the Rosebank Industrial Site and the North Balclutha Subdivision (Plantation Heights).
We believe actively promoting living and working here is an important step towards growing our rating base and future- proofing the Clutha District.
Economic Development
Clutha Development is the district's economic development agency, as well as the Regional Tourism Organisation for the Clutha District. Their focus is developing and supporting initiatives that will make the Clutha District a place where people love to live, work, invest, and visit.
Wanting to move to New Zealand?
We sometimes get international enquiries from people seeking information about living and working in the Clutha district, and in New Zealand. We have some links that might be useful:
If you live overseas, the first thing you need to do is check you are eligible to work in New Zealand before contacting anyone - https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas
Once you are eligible to live and work in New Zealand and are genuinely interested in the Clutha district, please email our economic development agency Clutha Development Inc at info@cluthanz.com.
Houses for sale are generally listed on real estate company pages, however, you can also check Clutha NZ for information about the house and land packages on sale in the small town of Kaitangata, and Council's project page for details of our development at Plantation Heights in North Balclutha.
The primary employment sector in the district is agriculture, however there are opportunities for specialists in other industries. As jobs become available, they are listed on the Seek and TradeMe websites. Many of our employers do not always advertise their available positions, but our economic agency Clutha Development has some jobs on their jobs page.
For newcomers to the Clutha district visit our Clutha District Settlement Support website for more information.
