But if other groups pushing for the project went ahead with preparing a plan for the wider district, the council would make staff resources and a councillor available to represent Central Otago if needed, councillors decided at this week’s CODC meeting.
Councillors had twice delayed making a decision about the issue because of concerns, asking for more information in March and May.
The plan, which is to develop a "strategic vision and plan for the future development of appropriate and sustainable sport and recreation facilities" in Central Otago and the Queenstown Lakes district, was suggested by Sport Otago. The Central Lakes Trust (CLT) — which would be a major funder of the study — was also pushing for the plan.
Maniototo councillor Stu Duncan was particularly critical of the idea, saying it was not for Sport Otago or the CLT to decide where new facilities went, and if groups wanted to advocate for new facilities in their regions they should be entitled to do so.
Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan said this week the plan would give funders such as the CLT "a greater degree of autonomy and control than council, and that troubles me greatly". He said he had been told by those in other districts where studies had been done that "the little guy misses out", and the CODC "needs to be very afraid of that".
Sport Otago chief executive John Brimble has previously told councillors the plan would ‘‘absolutely not’’ promote Queenstown Lakes’ interests over Central Otago’s, but would avoid duplication and allow for future planning.
Other regions are also drawing up similar plans and the Central Otago-Queenstown Lakes district plan would form part of a region-wide Sport Otago strategy encompassing metropolitan Dunedin, Waitaki and Clutha.
CODC councillors voted unanimously against contributing $20,000 to the plan, but decided to provide representation on any plan group if required or requested.
