Latest news with #TamahAlley
Otago Daily Times
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Otago Daily Times
Supercars future chance optimism
Central Otago District Mayor Tamah Alley says it is disappointing Cromwell's Highlands Motorsport Park missed out on hosting a V8 Supercars round, but she is optimistic the opportunity may arise again. "It is a bit disappointing as obviously Cromwell offers a premium location for that type of event." Ms Alley did say despite missing out, having a round of racing in the South Island was great for those in Central Otago who would like to go watch Supercars as Christchurch was not too far to travel to. Supercars organisers had approached the Central Otago District Council for $250,000 to help secure the event, and the proposal for funding was presented to the public as part of the council's long-term plan consultation document. Ms Alley said the feedback from the public as part of the consultation was not in favour of granting Supercars funds. "But a lot of that was around people just thinking that Supercars kind of had enough money." If Supercars was to make a similar request in the future about having a round in Central Otago, the council would be open to seeing what people could bring to the area, the mayor said. "I guess every conversation is an opportunity for a new start. So we'll wait and see what the future might bring." Ms Alley said she believed there would be future opportunities, if not for Supercars then another type of event. "We know that they do bring benefits for our communities, but also not every event is going to be the right fit for us. "So I guess we'll look at things on a case-by-case basis as they crop up," she said. Cromwell Community Board member Wally Sanford said missing out on Supercars meant that the council, in the short term, had been spared some difficult discussions on financial priorities for the district. "Now is a good time to reconsider how our tourism money should be gathered and spent, and what tourism markets or ventures we as a district should be focusing on," he said. Tourism Central Otago head of destination Anthony Longman said Central Otago hosting the Supercars would have brought the region direct positive economic benefits, as well as a wide range of non-economic benefits. "Attracting an event at the size and scale of Supercars could have attracted tens of thousands of visitors to Cromwell, Central Otago and our neighbouring regions," Mr Longman said. It was estimated an event like Supercars could have brought in over $20 million in economic benefit to the wider Central Otago district, he said.
Otago Daily Times
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
AI being used in plan submission process
Artificial intelligence is being used in the Central Otago District Council's long-term plan submission process — but machines are not taking over, the mayor says. The council's long-term plan received more than 1050 submissions — a record — and Mayor Tamah Alley was celebrating the high numbers. Ms Alley said the high level of engagement during the month-long consultation was "incredibly positive", particularly after a slow uptake. "People have obviously had a hurry-up in the last couple of days since our council meeting." Council staff still were entering the last of the hard copies that had come in and a final tally was expected next week. She called the consultation the council's "most successful ever" in terms of numbers, helped by the work of staff and elected members. "We've put in a lot of effort to engage the voice of youth, and also young families, and we've seen an increased turnout from these demographics, which is heartening," she said. "We need younger people to be involved and interested in what is happening with their council." One of the public Q&A sessions held by the council took place at Dunstan High School, and 285 of the submissions received were from young people. However, overall attendance at the 10 community sessions held across the district was "not high", making her question the ongoing relevance of "town hall" style meetings, Ms Alley said. "I think these numbers indicate the way people receive information and want to engage with council is changing," she said. "There appears to be a larger preference for people to view the information in their own time, in their own home online or in hard copy, and then respond." She congratulated communities that organised themselves to have a say, acknowledging Poolburn residents who came together to brainstorm and submit on things that mattered most to them. In a unique move, council staff are using artificial intelligence alongside people power to find common themes and clarify priorities and feedback from individual wards and demographics. The mayor sought to allay any ratepayer concerns on this process. "Rest assured, your elected members have been busy over the past few weeks reading all the submissions as they come in, so the AI process is to supplement and not replace this part." Among topics consulted on were volumetric water charges, the future of Alexandra's outdoor pool, a new community hub for the Manuherekia, a possible "Supercars" event in Cromwell and increasing council debt. Hearings will start on May 15, with deliberations on May 20. The plan will be adopted by the end of June.
