Workshops for shaping water future

The first of 10 workshops that will help determine Central Otago's water management strategy for the next 20 years is being held at Roxburgh today.

Water management in Central Otago communities is funded through individual community boards, so it is important the Central Otago District Council does not apply an all-inclusive district-wide policy, council water services manager Russell Bond says.

Although some issues to do with water, wastewater and stormwater would be the same across the district, the council would not rule out different communities having different priorities when it came to water management, Mr Bond said.

That was the reason for holding 10 workshops around Central Otago in the next six weeks to discuss the future provision for water management, he said.

"We don't want to second-guess what people want. We want the community to tell us what it wants. We will be able to give some detail as to the restraints we are under. Then we can start to work out how to deal with what people want," he said.

Restraints included legislation and cost.

"The workshops are a great opportunity for the community to take a step back and have a fresh look at the future of their town and to think about what needs to happen to get there. Having these workshops also gives council staff a chance to explain about the various issues affecting water services, like health regulations, funding issues and options, water-management issues facing the district and what has been done to date to address these," Mr Bond said.

"We want to find out what communities need and how much they are prepared to pay for it."

The workshops are part of a council initiative to develop a long-term strategic water plan for the next 20 or 30 years, Mr Bond said.

The first workshop is today at the Roxburgh Golf Club, followed by one at the Ranfurly rugby clubrooms tomorrow.

Other workshops are on February 28 in the Conference Centre, Golden Gate, in Cromwell; March 1 at the Omakau Rugby Club; March 9 at the Cellar Door, Alexandra; March 10 at the Clyde Bowling Club; March 18 at the Naseby Town Hall; and March 24 at the Patearoa Bowling Club.

All workshops begin at 5.30pm.

 

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