Response to upcoming growth key

In this column over the years I’ve often touched on growth, both the good and the bad. Without question, last decade has seen significant growth for Central Otago. But with a reasonably high degree of certainty I can tell you the growth we have experienced in the past 10 years will seem minor compared to what is coming in the next decade. Based on current forecasts presented to the council, we could see up to 16,000 more residents by 2035 — that’s a 63% increase in just 10 years. Now even if only 60% of that growth eventuates, we’re still looking at around 10,000 new people calling the district home in the next decade.

Cromwell is expected to experience the bulk of that growth but the impact will be like a ripple effect across the whole district. And it’s not just residents. On peak days, our visitor population doubles, which means our infrastructure needs to be built for twice the number of people who actually live here. That’s a big ask for a small ratepayer base.

So the question isn’t whether we grow — it’s how we respond.

Central Otago District Council, alongside Queenstown Lakes and Otago Regional Council, has been selected to enter negotiations for a regional deal with central government. Only three regions in the country have made it to this stage. We’ve been chosen because of our rapid growth and the potential economic benefits for New Zealand Inc if we can unlock some of the constraints holding our region back.

Some have asked whether there’s anything really in this for Central Otago. The short answer is yes. But let’s also be pragmatic, it won’t all happen at once. Regional deals are long-term programmes, shaped over time. Internationally, they have evolved as priorities shift and new challenges emerge. Ours will be no different.

This work is about setting up a framework that helps us manage growth over the next decade and beyond. The proposal includes options such as better transport connectivity, improved access to healthcare, affordable housing, economic growth and new funding tools like visitor levies and mining royalties. These are all things that will benefit our communities and help manage our future development.

Growth is coming.