The Clutha district is split into eight wards - Balclutha, Bruce, Catlins, Clinton, Clutha Valley, Kaitangata Matau, Lawrence Tuapeka, and West Otago - with the latter two having their own community boards.
At the Clutha District Council's meeting on April 4, district councillors were split about whether to retain the district's two community boards.
A motion to disestablish the two community boards was lost with a seven/seven split, and another motion to retain the status quo was passed when Mayor Bryan Cadogan used his casting vote to break the deadlock.
West Otago Community Board chairwoman Barbara Hanna and Lawrence Tuapeka Community Board chairman Geoff Davidson defended their boards' existence, stating they were a voice for their communities.
Mr Davidson said many board members also voluntarily put a lot of time and effort into the community.
Clinton ward councillor John Cochrane contacted the Otago Daily Times to clarify comments made about possible alternatives to community boards.
Mr Cochrane said both Clinton and Owaka had community committees which were set up by former mayor Juno Hayes to meet when there were specific issues needing to be discussed.
The boards' future is still undecided as the Representation Review Statement of Proposal is open for public consultation before a final decision is made later in the year.
Mr Cochrane urged residents to submit to the council's statement of proposal to enable councillors to have a clear idea of the form of representation wanted.
At the same meeting of the Clutha District Council, councillors also voted to update the ward boundaries as recommended by the representation review working party. The ward boundary changes affect the Lawrence Tuapeka and West Otago community boards, with the former decreasing in size and the latter increasing.
The working party's recommendations include removing Tuapeka Mouth and part of the Waitahuna West area from the Lawrence Tuapeka ward, adding it to Clutha Valley, and adding the Waipahi area to the West Otago ward.
The representation review is required by law every six years and requires community consultation.
Submissions about the Representation Review Statement of Proposal close on May 11.
