The consultation period on the Otago Regional Council’s (ORC) Long-term Plan for 2021-31 closes on Sunday 9 May, but the Council confirmed today that it would accept submissions until Sunday 16 May.

ORC Chair Andrew Noone said interest in the Long-term Plan (LTP) so far had been high.

“We want people to get involved and have their say on how we manage Otago’s natural resources over the next ten years. It’s great to see that more than 4,000 people have visited the online consultation page, which shows a good level of engagement at this mid-point in the consultation period. We’re running an extensive advertising campaign to promote the Long-term Plan, alongside the consultation document.”

ORC recently learned that the consultation document was not delivered to all parts of Otago, as had been intended. Most of Cromwell, central Oamaru, and most of Mosgiel, as well as some parts of Dunedin and Balclutha were missed during the delivery process, making up approximately 12% of the total consultation documents.

“Staff are making additional copies of the consultation document available at libraries and most supermarkets in the affected areas, so that anyone who would like a physical copy can easily access one. In addition, people can call our 0800 number to request a physical copy delivered to their house. The full consultation document is also available on the ORC website,” Cr Noone said.

Councillors at an extraordinary meeting today passed an apology for the incomplete delivery:

“On behalf of the Otago Regional Council, we sincerely apologise to the ratepayers of Otago for the incomplete delivery of the ORC’s LTP Consultation Document. We wish to engage with all residents who wish to share their thoughts or comment on the LTP, therefore the Otago Regional Council will accept the late submissions through 16 May.”

To view the Long-term Plan 2021-31 and the consultation document, and to make a submission, visit https://yoursay.orc.govt.nz/ltp. Anyone wanting to request delivery of a physical copy of the consultation document can freephone 0800 474 082.