Otago Regional Council

Dunstan Constituency
The Otago Regional Council makes decisions about managing resources in the region, such as air, water, soil and the coastline. It also carries out plant and pest control, helps prepare for natural disasters, and is involved in regional transport. The council is made up of 11 councillors. Councillors are elected to represent constituencies (areas in the region). Three councillors will be elected from the Dunstan constituency. This is a first past the post (FPP) election, so you vote by ticking the name of your preferred candidate on your ballot paper. Compare the candidates and their policies to decide who to vote for in the Otago Regional Council election.

Utilities and services

Councils are responsible for a wide range of utilities and services that we all rely on, from rubbish and recycling to street cleaning. Councils are currently also responsible for managing waste water, storm water and drinking water infrastructure – the ‘Three Waters’. But that may be about to change, with central government seeking to shift the delivery of Three Waters services to four new larger entities, which could borrow enough to upgrade the country’s water infrastructure.

Utilities and services

Councils are responsible for a wide range of utilities and services that we all rely on, from rubbish and recycling to street cleaning. Councils are currently also responsible for managing waste water, storm water and drinking water infrastructure – the ‘Three Waters’. But that may be about to change, with central government seeking to shift the delivery of Three Waters services to four new larger entities, which could borrow enough to upgrade the country’s water infrastructure.

  • Support the Queenstown-Lakes District Council in keeping ownership of existing infrastructure.

    Support the provision of more access to lakes and rivers for boat owners, canoeists, walkers and anglers.

  • Three Waters is a city/district council interface with government – not a regional council responsibility. That said, it's a disaster.

    There were many alternatives to the bloated Three Waters model but government has refused to listen and lied about councils able to opt out.

    Environmental monitoring is a core Otago Regional Council responsibility – it has been seriously enhanced and resourced these past three years.

  • Ensure waterways and bodies are protected from sediment and pollution through strong regulation and compliance action.

    Improve all environmental monitoring so territorial local authorities have reliable information about the environmental impacts of their infrastructure.

    Improve communication and discussion about the impacts of septic tank systems and ensure compliance with Otago Regional Council rules.

  • Improve Otago Regional Council services in an affordable manner.

    Ensure regulatory monitoring is fairly treated across rural and urban and private and corporate including territorial authorities – councils.

    I do not support Three Waters (Otago Regional Council is not overly affected by this).

  • Support the Queenstown-Lakes District Council in keeping ownership of existing infrastructure.

    Support the provision of more access to lakes and rivers for boat owners, canoeists, walkers and anglers.

  • Three Waters is a city/district council interface with government – not a regional council responsibility. That said, it's a disaster.

    There were many alternatives to the bloated Three Waters model but government has refused to listen and lied about councils able to opt out.

    Environmental monitoring is a core Otago Regional Council responsibility – it has been seriously enhanced and resourced these past three years.

  • Ensure waterways and bodies are protected from sediment and pollution through strong regulation and compliance action.

    Improve all environmental monitoring so territorial local authorities have reliable information about the environmental impacts of their infrastructure.

    Improve communication and discussion about the impacts of septic tank systems and ensure compliance with Otago Regional Council rules.

  • Improve Otago Regional Council services in an affordable manner.

    Ensure regulatory monitoring is fairly treated across rural and urban and private and corporate including territorial authorities – councils.

    I do not support Three Waters (Otago Regional Council is not overly affected by this).