Mayor praises Gardner after 'distress' caused

Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan has spoken out about the Otago Regional Council's (ORC) handling of a proposed minimum-flow plan change for Central Otago catchments, saying the ORC has caused ''significant distress'' but praising council chief executive Sarah Gardner for pledges she has made.

Mr Cadogan, who made the comments in his monthly mayoral report, which will be presented to the Central Otago District Council meeting today, said ''a corner may have been turned'' following the ORC's previous handling of a proposed minimum-flow plan change for the Cardrona, Arrow and Manuherikia catchments.

He said that ''by defining the range of minimum flows without having gained the required economic, social, cultural and water surety data required, the ORC has regrettably been the cause of significant distress in our community''.

However, Ms Gardner was to be ''applauded'' for her ''degree of personal effort'' following a July 19 meeting in Omakau, where water users were angry about the ORC's handling of the process, Mr Cadogan said.