Cromwell Community Board Elected Members

02/06/2026

Big day for the Cromwell Community Board today.

It all started at 10am where we hosted our elected Councillors around our town centre along with Council staff to discuss the issues and opportunities that lie ahead of us. The town centre project is becoming front and centre again with Te Puna Mahara | Cromwell Memorial Events Centre due for opening next month.

We heard from three people/groups in the public forum.
Michelle and Sheryl from the Bannockburn Recreation Reserve Committee gave us a detailed account of their operation and improvements at the Bannockburn Domain and invited/insisted that the Board come out for a look which we will do.

Carolyn Squires spoke of the concern for the trees coming down at Sandflat Road and the implications that could have on local businesses and residents.

Lisa Telle spoke on behalf of the Cromwell Dogs group Paws for Pines to update us on the formation of their charity and willingness to assist in anything needed to maintain or enhance their ongoing use of the pine trees at Sandflat Road.
Our first formal agenda item for the day was to receive a petition from Cromwell Dogs (Paws for Pines?) with around 20 of the 880 petitioners that are keen to retain the trees at Sandflat Road.
We decided to appoint both Cr Sarah Brown and Rebecca Anderson as Cromwell Community Board representatives to the Project Steering Group for the Cromwell Town Centre to join Charlie Sanders as the Council representative along with Council staff and consultants.

The hardest agenda item for the day by far was the decision to not only retain the Sandflat Road trees until the future use of the land is better known, but effectively close access to the forest to the public, with or without dogs. While this decision was not made lightly, the crux of the issue comes down to the liability that Council would take on by continuing to allow public access to the area, now knowing the potential risks in doing so as described in the reports. It is well accepted that the plantation poses minimal risk in calm conditions, but in windy conditions and after wind events the ongoing burden on Council as the land owner to close the forest intermittently during wind events and monitor risks on an ongoing basis is too greater burden. The Board and Council appreciates the need for safe and suitably sized dog exercise areas and encourage dog owners to avoid Council forestry plantations while an alternative site is determined.

In the public excluded session we discussed a road legalisation and associated compensation of the land to the owner. In short, Bannockburn Road has been formed over private land for decades and we’re legally resolving the issue. You won’t notice anything on the ground.

We also discussed a further sale of industrial land – all will be shared in the fullness of time.

A public workshop was held on swimming pool usage and the opportunity or conflict between private and council run swim schools. Council is looking to formalise how private swim schools are managed and charged alongside an ever growing council swim school offering. The Council hold detailed usage data on the utilisation of the pool. It was an interesting discussion on balancing a free market and imposing council policy. We’re not getting more lanes any time soon so we need to ensure we’re maximising the usage of the lanes we’ve got.

And we finished the day with a workshop on the upcoming rates review. There is a lot to consider with how the rates take is calculated. This is not necessarily about increasing the level of rates taken, but how they are taken. One thing we know is that there will be change – three waters is moving to another entity for one. Time to start thinking about uniform annual general charges, targeted rates, and land value vs capital value!

Please get involved in the public consultations currently underway on the future for local government and the residents opinion survey – and turn your lights on in the fog!

Next meeting is the 7th of July. For agendas, minutes, livestream links and recordings, just search for “CODC Meetings”.

-WS

28/05/2026

Cromwell Community Board meeting next Tuesday 2nd June.

Three Public Agenda Items, Two Workshops, Two Confidential Reports.

The day is going to start with a workshop on the Cromwell Town Centre. This is a joint exercise between the CCB and Council.

We're receiving a report (petition) from Cromwell Dogs.

There's another report on the Sandflat Road trees with more professional advice attached. Worth a read to better understand the matter.

And we'll be appointing a CCB Member to the Town Centre Steering Group which will also include a couple of council staff members and a Councillor.

Confidential reports will be presented on the sale of land within the Bannockburn Road pending industrial subdivision and for a legalisation over Bannockburn Road out past Bannockburn.

We'll close out the day with public workshops on the rates review and private swim schools.

Plenty on!

18/05/2026

You might have noticed some trees coming down at Lowburn. Here's the notice from LINZ of the planned works.

We’ll be carrying out some important tree maintenance at the Lowburn freedom camping site following the Easter school holidays. This includes removing a few damaged trees and pruning others🌲

If you’re camping at Lowburn during this time, you may be asked to move temporarily so our team can work safely. Please also expect some noise and minor disruption.

Keen to camp somewhere else? Nearby freedom camping sites include:

Bendigo
Jacksons Inlet
Champagne Gully

These are all on SH8 near Cromwell, more information is available here 👇
https://www.linz.govt.nz/products-services/camping-areas/camping-areas-central-otago-and-south-canterbury

Work is expected to start late April and take two weeks to complete, weather permitting. Thanks for your patience while we get this mahi done 🙏

Please note, the image shows where work is planned to occur, not all trees in the highlighted areas will be worked on 💚

08/05/2026

We had a busy meeting on Tuesday the 5th of May.

We heard from the following groups in the public forum:
- Karen Palmer - Cromwell Community Resilience Group
And the following in support of community and events grants applications
– CO Friendship Network
– NZ Police, “Grab the Reins”
– Lakeside Christian Centre
- Cromwell and Districts Promotions Group - video
- BMX Club (grant application)
- Goldfields Heritage Trust - World Gold panning Championships

Formal reports:

26.4.2 - 2025-26 Community and Events & Promotions Grant Applications - 2nd Funding Round grants as follows:
>$3,500 to the Central Otago Friendship Network for the Cromwell Social Connection Support project.
>$5,000 to Grab the Reins for costs associated with the programme for the 2026 and 2027 calendar years.
>$4,500 to the Lakeside Christian Centre for a log splitter.
>$95,000 to Cromwell and Districts Promotions Group for the 2026-27 events Light Up Winter, Street Party and Fireworks and Cherry Festival from the 2026-27
>$15,000 to Cromwell BMX Club for BMX New Zealand South Island Championships marketing / promotion, infrastructure including Marquee, Toilets, audio visual equipment, security and track management
>$5,500 to Otago Goldfields Heritage Trust for the World Gold Panning Championships 2026 event

26.4.3 - Cromwell Early Learning Centre Inc Community Grant Accountability Report
Lisa Lowrey informed us that consents have been obtained for the extension of CELCI into a neighbouring property to expand their offering.

26.4.4 - Long Term Plan 2027/37 - Project Update
This was merely describing where we are at in the process toward our upcoming LTP.

26.4.5 - Wally Sanford was appointed to the Wheels in Cromwell Organising Committee as they work toward getting the event established at the Cromwell Racecourse in Easter 2027.

26.4.6 - Road Name Approval Report - Gair Ave
Reid and Bransgrove were selected for two road names in the Gair Ave development.
Kenma and Holmes were noted submissions along with Scoles. We heard from Helen Scoles in the public forum about the Scoles family history on that specific piece of land and have noted that formally for future road naming in the area.

We had two confidential reports - one on options for the sale of the Gair Ave Development and one on a sale and purchase agreement for a block of land in the Bannockburn Road Industrial Development. Reccommendations were made to Council in relation to the sale of this land. You'll all be the first to know the outcomes of these in the fullness of time.

01/05/2026

We've got a busy meeting lined up for Tuesday the 5th of May.

We'll be hearing from the following groups in the public forum

- Karen Palmer - Cromwell Community Resilience Group
- Martin Anderson - Museum Entry at the new facility

And the following in support of community and events grants applications
– CO Friendship Network
– NZ Police, “Grab the Reins”
– Lakeside Christian Centre
- Cromwell and Districts Promotions Group - video
- BMX Club (grant application)
- Goldfields Heritage Trust - World Gold panning Championships

Formal reports:
26.4.2 - 2025-26 Community and Events & Promotions Grant Applications - 2ndFunding Round

The CCB, on behalf of our community distributes up to $50k per year to community initiatives with the community grants funding. The value of applications this round is $16.5k, with a pool of $20k to draw from.

The promotions grants are more contested with $154k being contested from a pool of $115k. The Cromwell and Districts Promotions group usually takes the lions share of this fund and creates some fantastic events for our area. This time around the world goldpanning champs and the BMX club want a slice of the pie too.

26.4.3 - Cromwell Early Learning Centre Inc Community Grant Accountability Report
As with all grants, we receive an accountability report to confirm how the funds were used, whether they were all used (and hence a portion being returned) and the success of the venture.

26.4.4 - Long Term Plan 2027/37 - Project Update
Long term plans are the heart and soul of Local Government.
We'll look to participate in this discussion, rather than simply receiving an update.

26.4.5 - Appointment of a Cromwell Community Board Member to the Wheels in Cromwell Organising Committee
As the council and CCB is a key party along with the Wheels at Wanaka Charitable Trust, Central Lakes Equestrian Club it makes sense for a board member to be appointed to the event's organising committee.

26.4.6 - Road Name Approval Report - Gair Ave
How to names like Reid, Bransgrove, Kenma, Holmes strike ya?
Four proposed names for two available streets - choices need to be made.

We have two confidential reports - one on options for the sale of the Gair Ave Development and one on a sale and purchase agreement for a block of land in the Bannockburn Road Industrial Development. You'll all be the first to know the outcomes of these in the fullness of time.

24/04/2026

Cromwell ANZAC Day Services.

Poppy Laying Service
Location: Cromwell Cemetery
Time: 8am

Cromwell Civic Service and Wreath Laying Service
Location: Cromwell Cenotaph, Melmore Terrace
Time: 10am

Bannockburn Civic Service
Location: Bannockburn Memorial Ground
Time: 9am

Lowburn Service
Location: Lowburn Hall
Time: 9am

Tarras Service
Location: Tarras Hall
Time: 10am

07/04/2026

🗓️ Cromwell Community Board update 7th April 2026

We covered a packed agenda focused on keeping Cromwell moving forward👇

🏍️ Public forum: Central Otago Motorcycle Club spoke about relocating the motocross track to the other side of the chafer beetle reserve (pine trees on the south boundary of Highlands). This is also an area the dog-walking community has been keen to formalise for their needs — a good reminder that we often have to balance competing needs.

🏟️ Cromwell Memorial Events Centre: We confirmed the preferred name based on clear feedback from community consultation. It now goes to full council for ratification at the end of April. The gifted Te Reo name will be presented around that time also. We reviewed the centre’s fees and charges, which will be in place for the next year or two while we see how the building is used and operated. We need to get the name on the building before the opening on 17th of July!

🌳 Gair Ave trees: These trees are damaging kerbs, footpaths and probably the water main beneath them. Because infrastructure is at risk, we agreed to prepare a proposal and procurement to remove the trees without public consultation. The work includes felling, stump grinding, rebuilding sections of footpath, and fixing uplifted kerbs. Replacement planting will be considered through the upcoming Long Term Plan.

🏙️ Cromwell Town Centre: We’re at a key point heading into the next Long Term Plan — we need to make sure funding is set aside to start delivering what the town centre needs - development. One idea being investigated is realigning Murray Terrace onto Isle St, which could create a larger “blank canvas” for development at the entrance to town and improve one of Cromwell’s niggly intersections. We’ll be working with current owners in the Mall on improving verandas and public spaces also.

⚡ Other items:
• We discussed two proposals for Aurora to have electricity easements over reserve land (Butchers Dr, and Anderson Park by the hockey turf). ⚡
• We received an update on a new road stopping policy to streamline how road stopping is handled across roading and property teams. 🧾
• 📣 There’s a library survey open now (closing Friday!) looking for “100 great ideas” as our libraries evolve to serve the district in more modern ways.
• We also heard about improvements to council’s leasing and licensing approach and systems — better aligned to commercial leases, and supporting dozens of leases that contribute around $500k annually. 🏢

https://lets-talk.codc.govt.nz/100-great-ideas-for-our-libraries

30/03/2026

The Cromwell Community Board has a meeting next Tuesday the 7th of April.

The Agenda will be out on the usual spot on Council's website some time today, but you will see from below there is:

Naming of our new facility
Fees and charges for our new facility
The Gair Ave Trees
Cromwell Town Centre
A couple of easements over reserve land
Discussion on the road stopping policy.

The day will conclude with a couple of workshops on the Library Strategy and councils leasing and licensing policy.

09/03/2026

One week on from our last Community Board meeting. Time flies!

Three main matters we discussed:
🏇 🚜Cromwell Racecourse Reserve Event.
We recommended to Council that earthworks should be allowed to occur on the Cromwell Racecourse Reserve as planning continues toward bringing a new version of Wheels at Wanaka to Cromwell. The Central Lakes Equestrian Club holds the lease over the land on behalf of the various equestrian groups and have been involved in the early discussions with the event organisers. We were simply confirming that the required earthworks should be allowed to occur under that lease agreement.

⛳ 🏢 Cromwell Golf Club Improvements
The Cromwell Golf Club is keen to improve the state of their facilities with some serious renovations to the clubhouse and a much larger pro shop. Like a lot of Cromwell's offerings, they were built for a particular population at a particular time and the club has outgrown its facilities. There was little discussion other than box on!

🚴 Bannockburn Cycle Path Connection.
This was a quick turnaround paper following a public forum matter from the previous meeting. We advised council staff to pursue construction of a cycle track link from Felton Road to the Bannockburn Pub using funds from the roading reserves to ensure cyclists can get to the Bannockburn CBD more safely.

Pre and post the meeting that day drop in sessions were held for people to discuss anything regarding the naming of the new facility by the lake with council staff and Board members. The drop ins had very low numbers but there is still this week to get submissions in for your feedback on the name. Submissions will be collated and put to the Board for consideration at our 7 April meeting where a reccommendation will be put to Council for final consideration at the end of April. Please get informed and get involved.

We're looking forward to sharing more about the operation of the café, commercial kitchen, cinema and museum in the coming weeks as we track closer to the opening of this great facility and we're looking forward of course to gathering around the cenotaph for a refreshed ANZAC day service in six weeks!

01/03/2026

A new, state-of-the-art facility will be opening in Cromwell in July 2026, but first it needs a name. This facility will be a place that respects its memorial status while providing a modern, contemporary space for all of our community and visitors to feel welcome.