Meetings soon to discuss Waitaki growth

Craig Dawson is concerned at the lack of housing in Otematata (pictured) and Omarama.  Photo: ODT...
Craig Dawson is concerned at the lack of housing in Otematata (pictured) and Omarama. Photo: ODT files

As Central Otago booms and continues to push growth into outlying areas, the communities in the Waitaki Valley will soon hold "visioning meetings" to learn how ratepayers want to deal with the expected growth in their region.

Craig Dawson
Craig Dawson

Waitaki District Council Ahuriri Ward councillor Craig Dawson said Kurow, Otematata and Omarama were all starting to see "symptomatic" signs of growth as the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail continued to raise the profile of the area and nearby Twizel, in the Mackenzie district, started to become overwhelmed.

Town planning and associated issues were concerns "we’ve got to face".

"With Twizel expanding and growing, the small towns have sort of followed suit," he said.

"People can no longer afford to go to some of those towns - Wanaka becoming so expensive and so on. Our valley towns have started to grow.

"Omarama’s only got about two houses for sale - it’s just an indication there’s room for more - and Otematata is very much the same - it’s sold an awful lot of houses. It’s got sweet all on the market at the moment.

"That’s why we’re going out to the ratepayers. We’re acutely aware that they may not want their town to get a lot bigger, or whatever. Or alternatively, they might want it to get bigger. And if it gets bigger, where do they want the towns to expand? Do they want them to go east, north, or whatever? That’s the question we’re not sure of.

"We’re at that stage where we want to get a group of people together, tell them about the challenges ... and I want to get a consensus as to where we’re heading."

Council policy and communications manager Mike Roesler said the meetings were in  the "process planning stage", and the council was discussing the process with community board members, because the meetings were so the boards could "better understand how they can support their communities".

The council’s perspective was "more effective" community boards were more effective partners for the council and "better for the district as a whole".

He said the dates the meetings would be held were yet to be decided and it was too early to say who would attend.

Cr Dawson said he expected the meetings to be held next month or in March.

hamish.maclean@odt.co.nz

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