Otago Regional Council
| Regional council | |
 | |
| Region | Otago |
|---|---|
| Website | http://www.orc.govt.nz/ |
Otago Regional Council (ORC) is the regional council for Otago in the South Island of New Zealand. The council's principal office is Regional House on Stafford Street in Dunedin, with smaller offices in Queenstown and Alexandra.
The council is a major sponsor of the Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter.
Controversies[]
2019 Investigation by the Ministry for the Environment (Skelton Report)[]
On 19 May 2019 the Government launched an investigation into Otago Regional Council. The investigation concerns the ORC's ability to process a predicted flood of water permit renewal applications. Hundreds or possibly a thousand permits from 19th Century mining operations (see Otago Gold Rush) are due to expire in 2021, and it is unclear how many of these will result in permit owners seeking renewal.[1]
2020 Leadership Change[]
On 23 October 2019, Marian Hobbs was confirmed as the new Chairperson of the Council through a vote by her fellow elected members.[2][3]
Hobbs attracted criticism from her fellow Councillors after she wrote to Minister for the Environment Hon. David Parker during the national COVID-19 lockdown asking him whether or not he would consider appointing a commissioner to the Council in the event that she lost a vote on policy implementation.[4]
On 15 June 2020, nine of the Councillors wrote to the Chief Executive, asking for an extraordinary meeting to be called to remove Hobbs as Chair, having refused to step down when asked.[5] An extraordinary meeting of the Council was subsequently called for 8 July 2021,[6] where Hobbs was removed as chair through a majority vote (9-2 in favour of removal). Andrew Noone was then chosen to take up the position.[7]
References[]
- ^ "Govt launches investigation into Otago Regional Council". Otago Daily Times Online News. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
- ^ "Otago Regional Councillors elect Cr Marian Hobbs to Chair". www.orc.govt.nz. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- ^ "Three former MPs push for change with Otago Regional Council chair vote". Stuff. 23 October 2019. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- ^ Miller, Grant (15 June 2020). "Hobbs not prepared to give up". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- ^ Miller, Grant (16 June 2020). "Meeting called to consider Hobbs' removal". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- ^ "Embattled Otago Regional Council chairwoman's last stand". Stuff. 24 June 2020. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- ^ Miller, Grant (8 July 2020). "Hobbs ousted, Noone takes over at ORC". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
External links[]
- Otago Regional Council
- localcouncils.govt.nz (Department of Internal Affairs) - Otago Regional Council information
Coordinates: 45°26′S 169°50′E / 45.433°S 169.833°E
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