Otago Regional Council

Dunedin 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 12 councillors. Councillors are elected to represent constituencies (areas in the region). five councillors will be elected from the Dunedin  constituency. This is a single transferable vote (STV) election, so you vote by ranking the candidates 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.

  • Improve understanding and monitoring of groundwater.

    Limit discharge to waterways, monitor intensely and increase fines for breaches.

  • Lead regional civil defence and emergency management, coordinating preparedness and response across Otago communities.

    Maintain a 24/7 pollution hotline and compliance follow-up system to swiftly address environmental incidents.

    Provide navigational safety training and resources to ensure safe boating across Otago's lakes and harbours.

    Lead regional civil defence and emergency management, coordinating preparedness and response across Otago communities.

    Provide navigational safety training and resources to ensure safe boating across Otago's lakes and harbours.

    Maintain a 24/7 pollution hotline and compliance follow-up system to swiftly address environmental incidents.

  • Increase water holding capacity on land by promoting regenerative practices and make it easier for households to get water tanks.

    Offer a regional tap drip service which will ensure properties with water leaks are fixed for free so that water resources are not wasted.

    Stop providing Port Chalmers water to cruise ships.

  • Ensure strong environmental protections for waterways, including controls on wastewater and sewerage discharge to keep rivers clean.

    Ensure low-friction permit and registration processes and eliminate low-risk permitting when the council runs education around how to comply.

    Ensure strong environmental monitoring of air and waterway pollution where there is any risk of exceeding recommended limits.

  • Commit to maintenance of flood and drainage schemes infrastructure, including ORC-owned floodbanks, pumping stations, bridges, drains and culverts.

    Ensure timely and effective consent processing under regional plans and national regulations.

    Increase the quantity and scale of river management work across Otago, currently on hold due to uncertain regulatory changes.

  • Increase the impact of science work by utilising buses for science communication and continuing support for Enviroschools.

    Promote and expand environmental data portals to more of the public.

  • Continue to improve rainfall monitoring and communication systems to make communities safer in the face of more extreme weather events.

    Ensure drinking water supplies are protected from environmental pollution.

  • Improve understanding and monitoring of groundwater.

    Limit discharge to waterways, monitor intensely and increase fines for breaches.

  • Lead regional civil defence and emergency management, coordinating preparedness and response across Otago communities.

    Maintain a 24/7 pollution hotline and compliance follow-up system to swiftly address environmental incidents.

    Provide navigational safety training and resources to ensure safe boating across Otago's lakes and harbours.

    Lead regional civil defence and emergency management, coordinating preparedness and response across Otago communities.

    Provide navigational safety training and resources to ensure safe boating across Otago's lakes and harbours.

    Maintain a 24/7 pollution hotline and compliance follow-up system to swiftly address environmental incidents.

  • Increase water holding capacity on land by promoting regenerative practices and make it easier for households to get water tanks.

    Offer a regional tap drip service which will ensure properties with water leaks are fixed for free so that water resources are not wasted.

    Stop providing Port Chalmers water to cruise ships.

  • Ensure strong environmental protections for waterways, including controls on wastewater and sewerage discharge to keep rivers clean.

    Ensure low-friction permit and registration processes and eliminate low-risk permitting when the council runs education around how to comply.

    Ensure strong environmental monitoring of air and waterway pollution where there is any risk of exceeding recommended limits.

  • Commit to maintenance of flood and drainage schemes infrastructure, including ORC-owned floodbanks, pumping stations, bridges, drains and culverts.

    Ensure timely and effective consent processing under regional plans and national regulations.

    Increase the quantity and scale of river management work across Otago, currently on hold due to uncertain regulatory changes.

  • Increase the impact of science work by utilising buses for science communication and continuing support for Enviroschools.

    Promote and expand environmental data portals to more of the public.

  • Continue to improve rainfall monitoring and communication systems to make communities safer in the face of more extreme weather events.

    Ensure drinking water supplies are protected from environmental pollution.