Talks on the proposed Regional Deal for inland Otago were back on the agenda on Monday (November 10) though members of the public weren’t invited to listen in.

Representatives from the Central Otago District Council, Otago Regional Council, and Queenstown Lakes District Council met online for a workshop held under public exclusion.

Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley said the session was about getting any new committee members - of which there are “at least three” - up to speed on where negotiations with central government are at.

According to the meeting agenda, discussions were closed to the public to avoid jeopardising the councils’ negotiating position with Wellington.

It stated that while there is public interest in the deal’s development, premature release of information could lead to commentary that disadvantages the councils in negotiations — and could even risk the process being abandoned altogether.

A new chair and deputy will be chosen at the committee’s first formal meeting next month.

Former ORC chair Gretchen Robertson previously led the group, while Central Otago district councillor Tracy Paterson served as the committee’s deputy chair.

Tracy continues this triennium alongside Tamah as the district council’s representatives to the group.

The Regional Deal aims to secure long-term investment and coordinated planning and is one of three being negotiated for New Zealand’s fastest-growing regions. 

The region is pushing for new revenue-generating options such as a local visitor levy and mining royalties to ensure “growth pays for growth”; the upgrade and future-proofing of electricity supply (including grid extension, and rooftop solar and battery funding schemes for ratepayers); and a private-public health model that combines visitor/resident numbers for funding.

In September consultant Conor English - the brother of former Minister of Finance and Southland MP Bill English - was appointed lead negotiator on behalf of the three councils.

Read more: Conor English appointed to lead Regional Deal negotiations