Central Otago District Council

01/08/2026

🔎What secrets lie hidden in old records and forgotten documents?🔎

As part of Family History Month in August, hear from Jocelyn Ryan, who will reveal the remarkable stories she discovered while digitising local historical collections. This talk is on at all our libraries with each talk featuring the local town and area.

Cromwell Library: Monday 3 August ,11am

Māniatoto Library: Wednesday 5 August, 11am

Alexandra Library: Monday 10 August, 11 am

Roxburgh Library: Wednesday 12 August, 11am

See you then!

01/08/2026

⛔Hawksburn Road Temporary Sunday Closures⛔

Driving between Cromwell and Clyde this Sunday? Please note that Hawksburn Road will be closed in conjunction with the State Highway 8 Cromwell Gorge closures.

Due to current winter road conditions, Hawksburn Road cannot handle additional traffic and is being closed for public safety and to prevent severe road damage.

📅 Closure Details
When: 8am – 9am (Sundays: August 2, August 9)

Where: Hawksburn Road

❌ No Alternative Route: There is no detour available through Hawksburn Road or SH8 during this 1-hour window. Please plan your travel before 8am or after 9am.

31/07/2026

31/07/2026

❄️Winter Road Condition Reports❄️

Before you head out this morning, make sure to check the latest road conditions on your route.

🔹 Check out the reports on the Central App:
https://centralapp.nz/weather-reports/roads/page-1/5ba95ee06e9e5e002a481356

Or tune into your local radio station:
🔹 Radio Central: Alexandra 91.9 | Teviot Valley 94.3 | Māniatoto 104.3
🔹 Burn Radio: Māniatoto 92.3FM and 729AM
🔹 More FM: Alexandra 90.3 | Cromwell 94.3 | Māniatoto/Ida Valley 97.1

Keep an eye out for excess grit, reduce your speeds and drive to the winter conditions.

31/07/2026

🎉Upcoming Alexandra/Clyde Newcomers Network Events!🎉

The Alexandra/Clyde Newcomers Network will be at Station Brewing this Sunday for a craft beer tasting and a tour of the brewery.

Then on 16 August, they'll be at Monte Christo for a wine tasting.

Come along to learn more about local brewing and wine and to meet some new people.

If you’d like to attend, please email [email protected]

31/07/2026

🏛️LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM: MYTH VS FACT🏛️

There's a lot being said about the decision made by Council on Wednesday on making a Head Start proposal. Here's what's actually true.

🔹MYTH: "Merging with Queenstown is a done deal."
FACT: No – it's a proposal, not a decision. Our economies and communities already overlap in a lot of ways, particularly around tourism and business, so it's worth properly exploring what working more closely together could look like. Nothing is locked in.

🔹MYTH: "Why is Council even doing this?"
FACT: Government has confirmed reform is happening. Our choice was to shape our own proposal or be placed into a Government-run "backstop" process. We chose to have a say in our own future.

🔹MYTH: "Did Council lie to us at community meetings?"
FACT: No. Council received advice that a joint letter of intent wouldn't carry the weight we'd hoped it would. When the facts change, good decision-making means reconsidering – not sticking with a position for the sake of it.

🔹MYTH: "It feels like we're being pushed into something."
FACT: We understand that. Think of it like a bus that Government's already decided is leaving the station – we can either help choose the route by being on it, or have no say and end up wherever it takes us. We chose to help steer.

🔹MYTH: "Central Otago will inherit Queenstown's debt."
FACT: Debt can be ring-fenced to the district that incurred it. Ratepayers won't take on another district's debt.

🔹MYTH: "Will the community get a say?"
FACT: Yes – full public consultation will happen before any final decisions are made.

🔹MYTH: "There is no detail available."
FACT: The detailed planning is still to come as the proposal is drafted. Recordings and minutes from the Council meeting are on our website.

We'll keep sharing updates as more information comes to hand.

30/07/2026

⚠️Upcoming Temporary Sunday Closure SH8 (Cromwell Gorge)⚠

Planning to drive through the Cromwell Gorge on Sunday morning? State Highway 8 (Cromwell Gorge) will be fully closed between 8am and 9am for aerial pest control.

There is no alternative route or detour available during this 1-hour closure.

NZTA advises road users to plan their travel accordingly.

Closure details:
🔹8am - 9am Sunday 2 August and 9 August 2026
🔹SH8 between Cromwell and Clyde

What happens outside that hour?
🔹9am - 11am: Helicopter work moves higher up the slopes. The highway will be fully open, but you may see the chopper working overhead.
🔹Ongoing ground control will continue throughout winter without any road impacts (you may see workers or hear gunshots).

Operations are weather dependant. Check NZTA's website for more information. Link in comments below ⬇️

30/07/2026

Yesterday, Clutha District Council voted to join us in preparing a joint Head Start application.

Having another council on board is a key requirement to progress a proposal so partnering with Clutha means we can officially move forward.

We're working on clearing up some of the chatter we've seen online — stay tuned!

Clutha District Council will move ahead with preparing a Head Start proposal for a possible unitary council with Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes district councils.

Mayor Jason (Jock) Martin says this is an important opportunity for our communities to have a say in shaping the future of local government across the region.

Council is committed to taking a careful, considered approach and making sure residents’ voices are heard throughout the process, he says.

Read more: https://www.cluthadc.govt.nz/council/news?item=id:2z0y9t1cu1cxby1vxu46

30/07/2026

🧊 Freeze-Thaw Alert - Slush, Ruts & Frozen Roads - What You Need to Know🚗

We're starting to see early freeze-thaw damage on some of our unsealed roads across the district, and in some spots, it's making the roads unsafe - even for 4WDs.

What is freeze-thaw?
It happens when moisture freezes and expands, then thaws and contracts – weakening the road and creating slushy surfaces, ruts, and unsafe driving conditions.

🚧 Speed restrictions and road closures may be put in place for safety.

How you can help:
✅ Slow down
✅ Drive to the conditions
✅ Follow all signs and speed limits
📞 Spot damage? Let us know on 03 440 0056

Stay safe out there and take it easy on the roads.