Candidates make their pitches in two minutes flat

Housing and water again topped the issues at an election meeting in Alexandra last night, but candidates had to be quick to outline their backgrounds and policies.

With 26 Central Otago District Council, Otago Regional Council, Vincent Community Board, Central Otago mayoral and Southern District Health Board candidates fronting the audience, candidates had just two minutes each to speak, and less than that to answer follow-up questions.

Sitting regional council members came in for criticism from many candidates, who said Central Otago issues were not taken seriously enough by the council.

Regional council candidate Gary Kelliher said the council's staff changes, outsourcing of much work and lack of scientific data meant it was possible the council would keep making "stupid, dopey decisions".

He said the blame for the stalling of the Falls Dam project lay "squarely" at the regional council's feet, because of the uncertainty
it had caused about water policy.

"The [new] $70million Falls Dam should have been completed by now, and then you would have Alexandra humming, as Cromwell is."

Many candidates hoped the Central Otago Affordable Housing Trust, established by sitting mayor Tim Cadogan, would help find solutions to the district's housing crisis.

Tiny homes, collective living, sustainable building practices and converting empty retail space into housing were other ideas suggested by candidates.

The next "meet the candidates" meeting in Central Otago is in Cromwell, at 7pm in the Cromwell Presbyterian Church, on September 17.

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