Gore & Clutha Whanau Refuge funding reallocated
Council approved a request from the Gore & Clutha Whanau Refuge to reallocate funding of $35,000 towards operational costs.
The funding was approved in 2024 as part of the Long Term Plan but was earmarked specifically for a ‘Men’s Police Safety Order (PSO) House in the Clutha area.
Council has provided Gore and Clutha Whanau Refuge with funding support for several years and typically goes towards services that are provided in Balclutha and the wider Clutha District.
The Council grant was increased in 2023/24 from $31,932 to $35,000. This was funded via the UAGC-funded community support grants budget.
Unfortunately, they have not received the required contract to move forward with the ‘Men’s Police Safety Order House’ initiative and consequently have had to place the project on hold.
Gore & Clutha Whanau Refuge’s aim is to work together to eliminate domestic violence in our communities by providing support, advocacy, education and awareness.
The organisation provides: a 24-hour crisis line; emergency accommodation, community and outreach services; women’s and children’s education programmes; transitional housing; referral services and support to attend appointments.
Elected member remuneration divided
Council decided the remuneration of $13,707 be allocated equally amongst Council’s remaining elected members.
Following the resignation of Balclutha Ward Councillor Kevin Barron, the Remuneration Authority confirmed that the balance of Councillor Barron’s remuneration ($13,797) had to be fully allocated and therefore divided amongst the other Councillors.
Results of 2025 Resident Satisfaction Survey released
Results of the annual Clutha District Resident Satisfaction Survey were released at the Council meeting.
The survey was conducted by Truwind earlier this year on behalf of Council, when just over 300 residents were contacted by Truwind to offer their thoughts on how Council is doing with the services they offer, and what could be improved.
Clutha District Mayor Bryan Cadogan says the results will help the Council to determine what is being done well and where improvements can be made.
“The survey is an important tool for us to find out what people think about what we’re doing now and this can help us to make decisions about what we do in the future.”
The annual survey asks a random selection of residents to rate the council on a range of things, including services and facilities, infrastructure and performance of staff and councillors.
Among the key findings of this year’s survey:
- 97% satisfied with community libraries
- 95% satisfied with the Balclutha Pool
- 95% satisfied with our community centres and halls
94% satisfied with our district parks and reserves
- 93% satisfied with the Clutha isite Visitor Information Centre
- 92% satisfied with the wheelie bin service
91% satisfied with Mt Cooee landfill
“It’s fantastic to see some of our core community services and facilities scoring so high, such as the community libraries and community centres, and the Balclutha Pool.
It just goes to show that these facilities are highly appreciated by the communities.”
Overall satisfaction with the performance of the Clutha District Council was 60%.
This is slightly improved on the previous years’ results, which received a 55% satisfaction rate.
“Although it is positive to see a slight improvement here, there is still room for improvement.”
Among the lowest scores were: decision-making, planning and leadership of elected members (53%), taste and clarity of water supply (51%), footpaths (50%), being able to have a say in Council decision-making and planning (46%), and value for money from rates (38%).
An additional 142 self-selected participants also completed the survey online.
“This will be the last time I am in the Mayoral ‘hotseat’ to receive the results of a Residents Satisfaction Survey.
It is a very trying time currently with the vice that three waters has us in, and these results are a clear reflection of that” Mayor Cadogan said.
The full Resident Satisfaction Survey 2025 report can be read here.
Contracts awarded
- The Lawrence Water Supply AC Pipeline Renewals contract has been awarded to Andrew Haulage 2011 Ltd for $419,015.43 excluding GST, who submitted the lowest price conforming tender.
- The Tapanui Water Supply AC Pipeline Renewal contract has been awarded to Andrew Haulage 2011 Ltd for $471,395.91 excluding GST. This was the only tender received for this work.
- The Glenkenich Water Supply Pipeline Renewal contract has been awarded to Wilfox Ltd for $119,081.53 excluding GST, who submitted the lowest price conforming tender.
- The Richardson Water Supply Pipeline Renewal contract has been awarded to Andrew Haulage 2011 Ltd for $218,997.76 excluding GST, who submitted the lowest price conforming tender.
- The Balmoral 2 AC Main Renewals contract was awarded to Andrew Haulage 2011 Ltd for $125,564.83 excluding GST, who submitted the lowest price conforming tender.
- The Colonsay Street, Lawrence Stormwater Main Renewal contract has been awarded to Clearwater Civil Construction Ltd for $226,224.75 excluding GST, who submitted the lowest price conforming tender.
- The Gormack Street Wastewater Pump Station Renewal contract has been awarded to Cowley Electrical Dairy and Pumps Ltd for $80,278.57 excluding GST, who submitted the lowest price conforming tender.
- The Tank Farm Reservoir Civil Construction contracts have been awarded to Isaac Construction Limited for a combined contract price of $1,156,902.59 excl. GST. Isaac Construction Limited submitted the lowest price conforming tender.