Keep away from foolish and ignorant arguments — they end in quarrels
The Otago Regional Council gospel according to Gerrard Eckhoff demands a response, Tim Mepham writes.
Congratulations to Gerrard Eckhoff for his entertaining "King James"-styled creative writing published in the ODT (Opinion 16.4.25)
It requires a response. Here are a few facts to add some balance and perspective to his yarn.
Otago is the second-largest region in New Zealand geographically, covering a land area of 32,000sqkm with 7500sqkm conservation estate and protected area and 24,500sqkm of developed land
The population of Otago, referred by Eckhoff as "the people of the land", is 255,000 (from 2023 figures). .
The urban population of Otago's main centres is about 200,000 (Dunedin and Mosgiel, 130,000; Queenstown, 27,700; Oamaru, 14,350; Balclutha, 4430, and Central Otago, 27,000). The rural population is about 55,000.
There are 440 dairy farms, 100 arable crop farms, 200 deer farms, 910 sheep and beef farms, 190 horticultural units and 235 vineyards (ORC industry advisory group, 2022).
Both rural and urban populations have environmental interests which need representation by the elected members of the Otago Regional Council.
There is a significant responsibility and focus by the council on the quality, allocation and use of water for the purposes of farming, drinking water and recreation.
The challenge for the current and future elected councils is how do we respond to the environmental challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and water quality while looking after the economic, social and cultural life of our regions?
Things are not as black and white as they may appear to Eckhoff.
A great deal of time during this triennium has been spent consulting on and developing the land and water regional plan (currently shelved while awaiting a new national policy statement for freshwater).
The notification version of this plan was informed by the many hours of engagement from our community, which included agricultural, horticultural and forestry representatives.
Other plans designed to deliver outcomes are the long-term plan and annual plans. Yes, "Rules to protect the wildlife of the fields".
We all agree, "a great rate increase has been imposed" on the ratepayers of Otago in the past two years, but does anyone remember Covid-19?
During periods of national lockdowns, the New Zealand economy was protected with vast amounts of cash from fiscal injection to prevent widespread panic. This was followed by the inevitable spending spree, and the economic mechanics caused inflation to leap out of its containment.
At the same time the ORC sustained millions of dollars of deficits, particularly in its provision of public transport.
The biggest contributor to rates increase has been the need for the ORC to recover the $10m deficit accrued against the public transport rating pool.
No doubt "the people are weary and greatly burdened" but we are all still feeling the impact of the Covid era.
Eckhoff has referred to the ORC headquarters as the great temple of the council, which is an interesting comparison.
This much-needed facility for the ORC staff has been at least 20 years in the making.
If previous councils had had the courage to make a decision, which might have hindered their chances of re-election, the staff of the ORC would have been provided with a modern, functional, single-site place of work years ago at half the cost.
If the cost to a councillor of being decisive and making hard calls is not being re-elected, that is fine.
It is up to the electorate to decide the type and character of leadership they want on their council.
The enduring chairmanship of Gretchen Robertson has been a miracle of biblical proportions and needs to be acknowledged as such.
She has proven to be hard-working, resilient, persistent and human.
It is not an easy job to wrangle a group of people with such diverse views into a council that has been, at the least, functional.
In conclusion, and in keeping with Eckhoff's scriptural references, as it says in the good book: "A rich man may be wise in his own eyes, but a man who has discernment sees through him." — Proverbs 28:11.
■Tim Mepham is an Otago Regional Council councillor.
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