Higher qualifications for team members
Three Waters team members Ethan Beck and Shaiyaz Mohammed were in attendance to receive their Drinking Water Treatment qualification certificates from Three Waters Group Manager Linda Till.
Otago Local Authorities’ Triennial Agreement 2026-29
A standard agreement that is in place at the start of each new triennium between Clutha and its neighbouring councils has been renewed by Council (at the meeting 4 February 2026).
Mayor Jock Martin was authorised to sign the Otago Local Authorities Triennial Agreement 2026-29, which identifies regional focus areas of interest.
Economic viability of transfer stations discussed
The Infrastructure Strategy and Delivery Group Manager Donna McArthur presented a report identifying the current uneconomical viability of operating transfer stations across the district and proposes that a temporary closure occurs on five of these.
Mrs McArthur reiterated that some of the facilities were being underutilised and were actually costing council a considerable amount to operate. For 2025/26 the loss is likely to be in the vicinity of $116,00, which makes their viability uneconomical.
Councillors felt that as council was looking at prudent spending, this report highlighted that there were savings to be made in this area and these need to be considered carefully before implementation.
A report would most likely be available in May, however this would be too late for budgets unless it was put through the consultation for the Annual Plan, Mrs McArthur advised.
Chief Executive Steve Hill stated that there needed to be discussions about whether this would form part of the Annual Plan consultation so that it could be budgeted.
Council decided to temporarily close five transfer stations - Clinton, Lawrence, Milton, Owaka and Tapanui – as these have kerbside collection to the townships and on travel routes in adjacent rural areas.
Fly tipping was also highlighted as a concern if the transfer stations were closed, with Mrs McArthur advising that this would form part of the review. She also noted that after talking with neighbouring councils they had advised that there had been no significant increase in fly tipping.
Vehicles on Beaches Bylaw
Council has confirmed the direction of its workshop last December that no further review of “safe zones” in the Vehicles on Beaches Bylaw 2023 should be undertaken as part of the work programme.
The bylaw was adopted in 2022 without any safe zones that stipulate where vehicles can be driven on beaches, or the speed in which they could be driven.
However, at the same workshop, Council had directed staff to work on considering speed limits as well as interim measures to promote good behaviour on beaches in the Clutha District.
At Wednesday’s meeting, Council confirmed that staff would carry out a technical assessment on all Clutha District beaches with a final date of the speed reduction review by October 2026. This became part of an amended resolution:
That Council confirms its direction from the workshop on 10 December 2025 that no further review of Schedule 1: Safe Zones of the Vehicles on Beaches Bylaw should be undertaken as part of the work programme, with a final date of speed reduction reviews on all beaches in the Clutha District by October 2026.
Following the speed reduction review, it was proposed there would be a six-week consultation period, with final approval from the NZTA Director of Transport for the proposed speed limits.
A cost analysis will be presented to Council before any decisions are made.
Kākā Point Toilet & Changing Facility – Use of Residual Funds
Residual funds from the recent Kākā Point toilet and changing rooms community building project will be returned to Council.
The $440,000 project came in about $50,000 under budget.
At Wednesday’s meeting the Kākā Point Community Group was commended for creating an attractive, well-used public facility and coming in under budget.
Council’s Community Development Team Leader Lilly Patterson submitted a report requesting a council decision on the use of the residual funding, suggesting that it be reallocated to other Kākā Point community projects. Reallocating the funds could mean these groups did not need to apply through the Annual Plan, but it was argued that as this funding was loan funded, using it elsewhere would set a precedent for other communities.
Council declined the request.
Temporary Road Closure – Ian Thomas Memorial Hill Climb 2026
The temporary closure of Eldorado Track for running the Ian Thomas Memorial Hill Climb on Sunday 15 February 2026 was approved.
Elected Member Appointment – Te Rōpū Taiao
Clutha District Deputy Mayor Michele Kennedy has been appointed as Council’s representative on Te Rōpū Taiao (School of Environment Students Association) as per the terms of ‘The Charter of Understanding’ that recognises the value of engagement with mana whenua.
Contract Awards
Council has awarded the following tenders:
-Contract 886 - Bridge Repairs Package 1 (scour protection, riprap, gabion baskets), to SouthRoads Limited for $350,731 excl. GST. Four tenders were received and the prices ranged from $350,731 to $561,056 excl. GST, and the project had a total budget of $776,401 excl. GST.
-Contract 887 – Bridge Repairs Package 2 (structural repairs), to Downer New Zealand Limited for $218,625 excl. GST. Five tenders were received and the prices ranged from $218,625 to $316,287 excl. GST, and the project had a total budget of $418,062 excl. GST.
-Contract 903 - Naish Court Community Housing Unit Maintenance (15 units), to Chapman Construction Company Otago Ltd for $538,085 incl. GST. Three tenders were received and the prices ranged from $525,959 to $598,477 incl. GST, and the project has a total budget of $713,000 incl. GST.