Climate, water projects feature in ORC plan

CLIMATE change preparation and urban water quality improvements are key projects in a ‘‘forwardlooking’’ 10year plan by the regional council, chairman Stephen Woodhead says.

The Otago Regional Council’s plan is out for consultation, with submissions closing May 11.

It had a ‘‘whole chunk’’ of businessasusual work, with a few major new projects, Mr Woodhead said.

One was the council asking the public whether it should compile studies on the wider effects of climate change in Otago.

Along with projects focusing on the impact of sea level rise on South Dunedin and the Clutha Delta, this would cost an estimated $4,014,000 over 10 years.

The studies would have much larger scope than the council’s current climate change work, Mr Woodhead said.

For example, it would cover what temperature rises in Otago’s large lakes would mean, and what the impact of changes in rainfall would be, he said.

Another key new project was around urban water quality, which would cost $3,319,399 over the next 10 years.

It would involve the council reviewing its management of wastewater and stormwater.

‘‘Throughout Otago the majority of stormwater is untreated. It will be a significant project with long transition times.’’

The council is asking the public whether to start this work in the next financial year, or wait two years.

The plan overall was ‘‘forward looking’’ and would help the region understand future challenges, he said.

Transport is the big ongoing expenditure for the council, with $259,643,000 budgeted over the next 10 years.

Most of this is to run Dunedin and Queenstown’s public transport.

It includes a feasibility study for an airport bus in Dunedin.

Regional council support services manager Gerard Collings said the council hoped to start the study in the ‘‘next couple of months’’.

The council has budgeted $2,691,430 in the same period for clean air projects for pollutionprone towns.

It proposes to spend $30,938,732 next year to help rural properties progress towards 2020, after which they need to meet new standards of E. coli, nitrogen and phosphorus going into fresh water.

It also plans to spend $1,464,084 in the next few years on transitioning to new water take permits after historic 100yearold privileges expire in 2021.

Harbour management will cost $7,376,890 in the next 10 years.

The council has budgeted $648 million in its plan.