Eye on Clutha June 2026

Congratulations to the Kākā Point Community Group, the supreme winners of Council's 2026 Community Awards, for the new toilets and changing rooms at Kākā Point (pictured), which includes a seat and drinking fountain.  

Speaking on behalf of the group, Lisa Biginato says the award "was unexpected as there is so much work being carried out by volunteers within local communities. We started the project November 2021, and it was completed March 2026 when the drinking fountain and seat were installed. There were a few challenges along the way during the project, but we managed to overcome these and get to where we are today." Pictured with Mayor Jock Martin are working group members Lisa, Neil Belvoir, Deborah Whyte, Ken Stephens and Tony Somerville. A total of eight individual awards were presented on the night. Read more.

Councillors have agreed for a new building in Tapanui that will integrate both the existing community centre and library. This will be loan funded to spread the cost and will be funded 47% through the Uniform Annual General Charge and 53% through Community Facilities rates. The funding has been warmly welcomed by people connected to both the existing library and West Otago Community Centre. Read more.

Waste Education Officer Hannah McLeary has been appointed as the new Ōtākou Enviroschools facilitator for the Clutha District, to help empower young people to design and lead sustainability projects in their schools.

What's going on with our major capital and community projects.

The Bruce Community Trust has been successful with a Lotteries Grant Funding application for $700,000 and is now in the process of applying for $1M from the Otago Community Trust. A large crane on-site has been placing panels for the 25-metre pool and the concrete exterior walls. Read more   

Scheduled works for June to July include finishing the feature fence, installing cables for the plaza's lighting (River of Light Design), construction of artificial turf spaces and gardens, installation of drains and footpath sealing work adjacent to Union Street towards Gray Street, placement of plaza furniture, along with boulder rocks and concrete floor panels.  Read more

We conducted our own Clutha District-specific survey to get important feedback from the community about Local Government amalgamation. The survey closed on 30 June. Read more.  A wider, Otago Mayoral Forum survey took place in May/June. Analysis and results from that survey are available on the OMF website.

Our annual Resident Satisfaction Survey closed on 24 June. The survey is for feedback and satisfaction levels on council services. A full report of feedback received will be available on our website in August.

An indicative overall rates increase of 20.54% was announced following consultation in April, and decision deliberations on 19 and 21 May. The Annual Plan, along with Fees & Charges, were presented to Council on 25 June where they were formally adopted. Read more. Fees and Charges for 2026-27 will be posted from 1 July. 

Following a community consultation process, the Clutha District Council has agreed to demolish the Lovells Flat Hall near Balclutha, with an option to offer the hall for removal should there be any interested parties. Further discussion will be held with the hall committee about proposals for the reserve and pool. The full report tabled at the 25 June Council meeting can be found here.

Requests for funding to upgrade the Paretai Hall were declined or deferred by Councillors at the 25 June meeting. Staff will continue to work with the hall committee to find the most sustainable option for this community facility. The outcomes from this collaborative process will be considered by Councillors as part of the development of the 2027/37 Long Term Plan. The full report tabled at the 25 June Council meeting can be found here.

Dog registration invoices for the new financial year are due to go out. You’ll need to register by 31 July (that includes puppies at 3 months old). To renew your dog registration or to register a new dog online click here or call 0800 801 350 for more information.

We are partnering with Strategic Grants to make it easier for community groups to search for funding options. Council has 50 access codes available and is inviting registration from eligible community groups. For more info and to apply click here.

On 1 June we launched a 24/7 recycling option at the 5 transfer stations temporarily closed earlier this year for people to drop off their paper, cardboard, Number 1, 2 & 5 plastics, aluminium and tin, in the yellow-lidded recycling bins. It works on a 3-strike enforcement approach. No glass. Read more. 

Meetings in chambers at Rosebank Terrace, Balclutha:

Risk & Assurance committee: Thursday, 23 July, 9.30am; Council: Thursday, 23 July 2026, 1.30pm. 

Workshop: Thursday, 30 July, 8.45am.

Meeting dates available here. 

Agendas available here.  

We know we live somewhere special. Check out the guide to keep in the loop with what's going on in the Our Place Clutha What's On Guide.  

We're keen to celebrate Clutha - the past, present and future. If you have photo, an artefact or heirloom with a story attached about our District, send it to:  communications@cluthadc.govt.nz.  Pictured from the Te Papa collection is an historic image of the Balclutha bridge.

Don't forget to sign up for the Antenno App where you can receive instant notifications on services. You can even send in service requests via the App. For instructions to sign up to the App go to www.cluthadc.govt.nz/council/do-it-online/antenno