Next week at Council – 12 May 2026

Published on 07 May 2026

The next meeting of Waitaki District Council will take place on Tuesday 12 May at 11am, in the Council Chambers. There will be a public forum preceding the meeting, and registrations for it are open now. Here are some features of the agenda, which is available on Council’s website now.

Mayors Report

The Mayor will present a report covering the previous three-months, outlining her involvement in proposed Government reforms, regional collaboration and work to deliver Council’s Water Services Delivery Plan. The report highlights both the current challenges facing Council, but also the causes for celebration in the Kākaunui Bridge, Forrester Gallery x Mahika Kai Mahika Toi and the upcoming Network Waitaki Event Centre opening.

Parking Strategy

In February the Mayor and Councillors requested that Council Officers prepare a range proposals for a parking strategy for the Oamaru CBD, outlining all potential options that they could consider.

These options were presented to the Oamaru Committee on April 7 2026, and referred to full Council as a decision paper, so the Mayor and Councillors can make a final decision.

The report makes six proposals;

• Amends the Parking Bylaw to remove the reference requiring vehicle registration within 15 minutes of parking;

• Approves free parking for CCS mobility parking permit holders in all Council-controlled paid parking areas;

• Approves a change to paid parking start times to 9:00am–5:30pm Monday–Friday and 9:00am–1:00pm Saturdays;

• Approves the introduction of an over-80s parking permit scheme for residents, subject to annual application and proof of a current driver licence;

• Resolves to remove the one-hour free parking period;

• Directs officers not to progress investigation or implementation of additional paid‑parking areas at this time, and to retain existing free‑parking areas as status quo, unless otherwise resolved by Council at a future date.

The Mayor and Councillors will have the final decision on which recommendations to implement. Information about each recommendation is available in the agenda document.

District Plan hearing delegation

The hearing panel for the Proposed Waitaki District Plan has been appointed, following decisions made at the previous Council meeting.

The Mayor and Councillors will consider a further appointment at the meeting, and delegating all the powers, functions and duties of the Council in this process to the hearing panel.

ENDS

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