Long Term Plan - West Otago

The Clutha District Council is aware that there is a new petition circulating throughout West Otago.

Council acknowledges that it is a person’s right to create a petition however some of the information contained in the petition is factually incorrect and this notice is intended to provide clarification.

People have had their chance to submit and provide their feedback on Council’s Long Term Plan. This consultation was held from 15 April until 15 May 2024 including hearings of submitters on 23, 24 and 28 May.

Councillors have read these submissions and attended the Hearings and are meeting on 12 and 13 June 2024 to decide on the Long Term Plan. Councillors will be making decisions by resolution that cumulatively will determine the rates.

This formal consultation process is a legal requirement under the Local Government Official Information and Meeting Act 1987.

The meeting on 26 July to adopt the Long Term Plan and set the rates will be resolutions that only reflect previous decisions of Council. The petition is asking elected members to vote against those resolutions. Unfortunately, elected members will always be advised that they should not give any weight to submissions or petitions relating to a consultation process received after the consultation, and in this case after the decisions relating to that consultation.

A high proportion of the proposed rates increases detailed in the Long Term Plan Consultation is because Council is legally obliged to implement regulations and consent conditions directed by Taumata Arowai (New Zealand Drinking Water Regulator).