Latest news with #CluthaDistrictCouncil
RNZ News
10 hours ago
- General
- RNZ News
Clutha council confident Mt Cooee Landfill won't run out of room
Mt Cooee Landfill. Photo: Facebook/Wasteco The Clutha District Council is confident a solution will be in place at a local landfill before it runs out of room. In February, the council reported the Mt Cooee Landfill area was critically close to capacity - it could need to stop accepting waste by August - and could cost an estimated $157,000 a month to ship waste elsewhere. Work has been underway to reduce, mitigate or eliminate that risk. That work included a 3D survey to figure out how much capacity was left and how long it would take to fill up and plans to build a general waste transfer pad so waste could be moved out of the district to another landfill until a decision was made about building a new landfill at Mt Cooee. The pad was expected to be finished by early September. "At this stage, council staff are working to define the detail designs required for the transfer station and then go out to tender for this urgent work," the council said. The council acknowledged it had not been smooth sailing as councillors expressed serious concern at the early advice. "Staff worked in the background on the risk and were successful in the various risk elimination measures," the council said. "Council is very confident that a solution will be in place before it is needed." The resource consent for the continued operation, expansion and progressive rehabilitation of the Mt Cooee Landfill was signed off by the Otago Regional Council in May. Work to enable an extension of the current landfill cell was nearly done, but existing cell had about 15 months of capacity left, the council said. The extension was expected to cost about $200,000. The total budget available for Mt Cooee upgrades was $7.1 million, which also included the transfer station and a possible resource centre. Building a new landfill cell was also a possible option. "Staff are intending to bring back to council a decision over the economics of operating Mt Cooee versus operating a transfer station as the long-term solution." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Our community champions
The Clutha Community Hub Charitable Trust and Committee are presented the Supreme Award at the Clutha Community Service Awards at TPŌMA last week by members of the Clutha District Council. PHOTO: SUPPLIED The Clutha District Council announced the winners of the 2025 Clutha Community Service Awards last Wednesday to honour the groups and individuals who go above and beyond to make a positive difference in their community. Presented at Te Pou Ō Mata-Au, Clutha District War Memorial and Community Centre (TPŌMA), the Supreme Award went to Clutha Community Hub Charitable Trust and Committee. "This a great opportunity for our district to acknowledge the passion and pride people put into their community," Mayor Bryan Cadogan said. "Communities are defined by their champions who drive projects and make real differences that we all benefit from." Formed in 2016, the Hub Charitable Trust and Committee were formed with "a goal to develop a place to celebrate local identity and heritage, and bring people together to connect, grow, and thrive". The resulting TPŌMA civic centre is "a facility that pays tribute to the past while boldly embracing the future". Other groups acknowledged for their contribution this year included Clutha Budget Advisory Service, Lawrence Creative Arts, Tapanui Toy Library and Milton Area Promotions. Local individuals recognised for dedication and commitment to their communities included Benji Perry, Jess Paul, Geoff Blackmore and Elizabeth Jenkinson. Year 13 students who demonstrated "great volunteer mahi" were recognised with Youth Spirit award, given this year to Annaliese Bisset and Maddie Grinton. "The awards remind us of the remarkable generosity, dedication, and heart that exists within our communities," council's community support and development adviser Lilly Paterson said. "It was a privilege to celebrate the individuals, students, and groups whose tireless volunteer work often goes unnoticed, yet has such a lasting impact. These are the people who make Clutha a stronger, more connected place to live — and we are proud to acknowledge and thank them," Ms Paterson said. Each community group winner received $1000, and the supreme winner received an additional $2000. Keep reading future editions of the Clutha Leader for a closer look at this year's hard-working winners and details of their impact on the area.
Otago Daily Times
16-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Grant boosts playground project
A new Catlins playground will have a significant cultural leaning, including verse from a well-known local poet. Coastal community Kaka Point, which is nearing a rebuild of its "ageing" 30-year-old oceanside playground, received a major boost towards the $650,000 project recently, thanks to a $120,000 grant from the Otago Community Trust (OCT). Project spokeswoman Anna Cross said she hoped work would begin on the new playground — which would contain poetry from former resident Hone Tūwhare and other "cultural" elements — in October. The group had been "overwhelmed" by support for the project, from extensive local fundraising, the Clutha District Council, and grants including the recent OCT boost, Ms Cross said. "We think the inclusion of Hone Tūwhare's poetry in the design, a significant Māori literary figure who made Kaka Point his home, is quite special and strengthens the cultural identity of the space. "The playground design will also incorporate te ao Māori, including murals and informative signs sharing local history, as well as bilingual information panels highlighting native plants." She said the project had arisen in 2020, as the town — home to many holiday cribs — began to see an increase in families choosing to live there permanently, and it hosted visitors year-round. "The existing playground had become outdated and lacks modern, age-appropriate equipment. It wasn't reflecting the unique natural and cultural environment of Kaka Point, so we wanted to create a safe, engaging and inclusive play space for all." The playground's centre point would be a lighthouse slide, reflecting nearby tourist attraction the Nuggets Lighthouse. "We've worked closely with [designer] the Playground Centre to reflect and connect to our local environment by incorporating elements that define our area. "We're hoping to create a vibrant, inclusive and culturally enriched space for locals and visitors alike." The grant was one of a total $926,085 issued by OCT during its May distribution. Other major recipients included the Mihiwaka-Kāpukataumahaka/Mt Cargill Habitat Restoration project ($40,000); He Waka Kōtuia Trust ($50,000); and $150,000 for the Millers Flat Community Reserve rejuvenation project.
Otago Daily Times
10-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Over 1000 submit on water services
More than 1000 submissions have been lodged on the proposal for four southern councils to run a combined standalone water services council-controlled organisation. Submissions closed on Friday for the proposal for the Clutha, Central Otago, Gore and Waitaki district councils. Southern Water Done Well chairwoman and Central Otago District Mayor Tamah Alley said in a statement the councils had made a real effort to share information about the government's Local Water Done Well legislation and get feedback. "Given the complexity of Local Water Done Well and the timing, it would be fair to say we've had a good response from our communities, compared to what we hear anecdotally about what's happening elsewhere." While the four councils were still collating submissions, more than 1000 had been received by yesterday morning. Clutha District Council had received 377 submissions, Central Otago District Council had received 303, Waitaki District Council had 300 while Gore District Council had 72. Mrs Alley said it was important to acknowledge consultation followed closely behind long-term plan engagement and other community discussions. "We know there's been a lot asked of our communities lately — consultation fatigue is real — but the government's tight timeframes meant we had no choice but to move quickly. "We're grateful to everyone who took the time to read all the information provided and have their say on something that will shape how water is delivered in our districts for years to come." Hearings and meeting are set to take place over the next two months for the councils to decide what is their preferred model. — APL
Otago Daily Times
09-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
1000 submissions received
More than 1000 submissions have been lodged on the proposal for four southern councils to run a combined stand-alone water services council-controlled organisation. Submissions closed on Friday for the proposal for the Clutha, Central Otago, Gore and Waitaki district councils. Southern Water Done Well chairwoman and Central Otago District Mayor Tamah Alley said in a statement the councils had made a real effort to share information about the government's Local Water Done Well legislation and get feedback. "Given the complexity of Local Water Done Well and the timing, it would be fair to say we've had a good response from our communities, compared to what we hear anecdotally about what's happening elsewhere." While the four councils were still collating submissions, more than 1000 had been received by yesterday morning. Clutha District Council had received 377 submissions, Central Otago District Council had received 303, Waitaki District Council had 300 while Gore District Council had 72. The figures could change as submissions sent by post arrive. Mrs Alley said it was important to acknowledge consultation followed closely behind long-term plan engagement and other community discussions. "We know there's been a lot asked of our communities lately — consultation fatigue is real — but the government's tight timeframes meant we had no choice but to move quickly. "We're grateful to everyone who took the time to read all the information provided and have their say on something that will shape how water is delivered in our districts for years to come." Hearings and meeting are set to take place over the next two months for the councils to decide what is their preferred model. — APL
