Most food businesses will soon be required to prepare a food control plan for the New Zealand Food Safety Authority.
It coincides with the departure next week of the Clutha District Council's food control officer Bob Draper, who has been helping businesses prepare and deal with the changes.
But Thursday's meeting moved the tabling of a late item and agreed it would help each business - to the tune of up to $150 - prepare the new plans.
The total cost of a new plan could be as high as $1000 or more.
But Mr Draper could still help, the council heard.
In the late item, council planning and environment manager Murray Brass said Mr Draper had said he would be willing to be a consultant to help business prepare their plans.
He has already staged two-hour sessions with many of the district's 160 registered food businesses.
Mr Brass said 60% of all plans will need to be registered within the first two years of the new structure while another 25% will fall in the third year.
The other 15% will have to be set up in the fifth year.
"It is therefore clear that the significant majority of assistance will be required in the early stages of the process.
Although the legislation is yet to be passed, it is likely to take effect from sometime next year and businesses will want to start preparing before then."
So the council can provide those services in the coming months and, with no immediate plans to replace Mr Draper, the council was being asked to pay for businesses to spend some "initial time" with a suitable consultant such as him to help prepare their individual plans.
Mr Brass suggested paying for an initial three-hour session, valued at $150.
It will take businesses between one and two days to prepare their plans so they will still pay the majority of the funding.
This, over a five-year period, would cost the council about $24,000 but should be covered by savings to be made between Mr Draper's departure and the start date of his successor.
