CLDP - Community Plan - Executive Summary
CLDP - Community Plan
CLDP - Community Plan - Executive Summary
CLDP - Community Plan
OTEMATATA RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION INC.

Community Led Development Programme
CLDP Update April 2023
Even although it was not quite finished, the upgraded playground was a huge success over the Easter weekend and school holidays.
Thanks are extended to everyone who has been involved with the development and extension of this playground, and in particular to those who had the vision and drive in the first place to create the landscape, and to provide the play equipment, the paths, and the bike tracks, that have well and truly stood the test of time.
All of the original play equipment has been retained and added to, with significant extensions made possible by the Community Led Development Programme, the Otematata Residents Association Inc., and the generosity of the Department of Internal Affairs.
Thanks, are also extended to Otago Engineering/Playgear for designing, making, and installing the extensions. They have done a great job and have been great to work with.
The playground has now been gifted to Waitaki District Council who will maintain and depreciate it along with other Council assets, thus ensuring its sustainability and ongoing maintenance.
So, to everyone involved from the earliest of days to the present, it is a huge thankyou as we now move into the next phase of the Community Park development.
And if you have forgotten what that Community Park development involves, check the Otematata Residents Association website for all plans and designs, and continue to watch this space.
Richard Paton
Otematata CLDP
Coordinator
Steve Dalley
Otematata Residents Association Inc.,
Chair
CLDP Update February 2023
Following three years of establishing processes and procedures, and then engaging Baxter Design to do the actual planning, The Otematata Community Led Development Programme is now preparing to enter the construction phase. with TSA Project Management now project managing the programme through to completion under the direction of Team Leader, Brad Dolan.
So, what is happening?
Project Management Company, TSA Project Management, has now been engaged to manage the programme through to completion under the direction of Team Leader, Brad Dolan.
Behind-the-scenes regular site meetings and zoom meetings are being held by appropriate stakeholders to ensure all details and expectations pertaining to a project of this magnitude are adhered to as tender documents are finalised and construction deadlines finalised to maximise planting, development, and construction opportunities.
The October and December updates on the Otematata Residents Association website, (see below) provide all the planning details, (still undergoing some finetuning) and you are reminded to check out the 61-slide Baxter Design set that will lead you through the complete Community Park development.
Contractors interested in any aspect of this work are reminded to contact Steve Dalley (Otematata Residents Association) or Brad Dolan (TSA Projects) for further details.
2023 is a watch this space zone as the Playground enhancement commences, the Wetlands Carpark is completed, the Community Park is developed and enhanced, the area outside the Function Centre and Shop is redeveloped and the Northern side of SH 83 is developed and beautified.
Feedback around this or any other aspect of this programme is always appreciated.
With thanks to all involved.
Richard Paton
CLDP Coordinator
Steve Dalley
Chair
Otematata Residents Association
CLDP Update December 2022
Since the last CLDP update work behind the scenes has continued!
The programme continues to receive full support from the Department of Internal Affairs and our DIA Liaison support people Hurihia Luafitu (Dunedin) and Riwia Apanui (Christchurch), and for this the Otematata team is very grateful.
So where are we up to?
Kath, Marilyn, Steve and Richard have recently attended a two-day National Hui in Wellington along with representatives from the other 18 Community Led Development Partnerships from across NZ. It was an interesting two days and gave us direct reassurance that our processes and procedures, and attention to preparation and planning, have been the correct and most effective process for achieving results.
So, we can now confirm:
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The Playground development will start on or about March 7, 2023. This will involve site development and installation.
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The new Wetlands carpark in Loch Laird Road is planned for development in February 2023, and the new Entranceway in Loch Laird Road will also be constructed as near as possible to that time.
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Community Park fencing remains a priority, and funds are currently being raised for that improvement
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Cequent Project Managers (Queenstown) have been engaged to Manage the rest of the programme (ref.the plans and planting schedules previously provided) through the total beautification and development associated with the North side of SH83, the area outside the Shop and Function Centre, and the overall Community Park development (excluding the Playground).
In reality this means that Cequent will engage Quantity Surveyors, ensure consents, and procure tenders, to enable funding to be sought from DIA (and other sources) to enable the project to proceed. Cequent will confirm their timeline but at this stage, given that all the planning is already complete, the intention is to have preparation earthworks and associated developments , completed before winter to allow for the very extensive planting programme to commence at the appropriate time in 2023.
'Local contractors interested in this work are encouraged to contact Brad Dolan from Cequent, or Steve Dalley (ORAI Chair), for discussions around any aspect of this work.'
This does not mean that this is the sum total of the CLDP projects, it is simply a report of what is happening right now. So, keep your ideas coming to either Steve or Richard.
As always, thanks are extended to all involved in the CLDP projects and this includes the support and encouragement from the community at large.
Special thanks are also extended to the Ahuriri Community Board and the Waitaki District Council for their ongoing support, guidanceand encouragement.
With cheers and best wishes to all for a great Xmas and New Year.
Richard Paton
CLDP Coordinator
Steve Dalley
ORAI Chair
CLDP Update October 2022

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The new playground is currently being manufactured and will be installed early in the new year. Funding for this $300 000 upgrade (including soft fall surfacing) has already been gratefully received from the Department of Internal Affairs.
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Beautification planning has been finalised and a planning overview included for your interest. This work will go out for tender as soon as a Project Manager is engaged. It will then be a matter of securing funds with construction commencement to allow for planting in 2023. See below for plans.
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An application has been submitted to the Department of Internal Affairs to enable the employment of a project manager to lead the remaining projects except for the new carpark and Wetlands development, to procurement stage.
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The Loch Laird carpark and Wetlands entranceway enhancement is nearing commencement.
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All plans have been approved by the Waitaki District Council and Ahuriri Community Board and all issues relating to sustainability have also been considered and approved.
Local contractors interested in being part of any of this work are encouraged to talk with Steve or Richard for further information and clarification.
Richard Paton
Otematata Community Led Development Coordinator
Steve Dalley
Chair
Approved Project Plans
CLDP Update September 2022
The ORAI and CLDP Working Group are pleased to confirm that there has been considerable progress since the last CLDP Update.
Specifically:
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All plans have now been confirmed and accepted as final. These plans are included in this update.
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Funding for the first two projects has been approved and allocated by the Department of Internal Affairs.
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In association with Baxter Design, a Project Manager will be employed to manage all aspects of the construction relating to the Community Park, beautification on the northern side of SH 83, and the area outside the Function Centre. Construction of the carpark and Wetlands development will be managed locally as per existing practice.
So, what are those projects again...?
1.The Wetlands project includes the development of a new track to the end of the peninsular, incorporating boat access and the creation of specially designed places that can be used for ceremonial events, the sharing of cultural, historical, or educational information, or simply places of reflection and enjoyment.
A newly created carpark will create a sense of arrival and will make access easier at the Loch Laird end, and new entranceways branded to other post and rail gateways in other development areas will provide a sense of continuity and professional and environmental “sameness”.
2.Leading through the Golf Course which has major improvement plans of its own, the CLDP collaborates with the Golf Club in the use of land alongside State Highway 83 (along the Golf Club fence line under the wires). This will provide beatification through a carefully defined “sense of arrival “incorporating specified planting, post and rail corners on the fence line, creative pathways and artistic features linking the A2O cycle track to the town centre. A proposed traffic island (for Transit NZ consideration) will encourage and provide a safer (slowing traffic speed) crossing point to the existing pathway, providing an invitation to the newly developed park, and the shop, carpark, and function centre.
Of course, none of this works without water and the CLDP is grateful of the opportunity to work with the Golf Club to mutual advantage in relation to this.
3.Across the road the triangular area outside the Function Centre undergoes transformation through redeveloped planting, seating, and areas for conversation relaxation and information. And to compliment this, enhanced planting in the concrete medians in the carpark will add to the sense of arrival, impact, and attractiveness.
4. In the Park itself, the sports fields stay as they are, concrete paths and existing bicycle and skateboard areas remain untouched and considerable new planting adds to create enhancement, consistency, and beautification. An irrigation plan will support all development.
Shade areas, seating and a community BBQ will increase the desirability, and approximately six new play stations will further endorse the area as a place of family and fun.
Post and rail fencing will improve safety by acting as a barrier for younger children and will link with the designs of other gateways within the overall development.
And where are we up to...?
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The six new play stations are currently being manufactured and will be installed after Xmas
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Funding to support the Golf Club irrigation project is available for transfer
And the next steps
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Funding will be sought to employ a Project Manager (PM) and Quantity Surveyor (QS)
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The PM will take remaining construction and development projects to tender
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On receipt of successful funding and co funding applications, construction will hopefully begin about this time next year.
So, what can you do...?
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Check out the plans
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Check out the playground (The colours are the actual colours)
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Consider any work you may wish to tender for or be involved with
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Be aware that any projects of this nature may also need to be changed or modified as the process continues.
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Talk to us if you have an idea or project that with support would enhance the Otematata Community.
Thankyou
Thanks are extended to all involved with the Otematata Community Led Development Programme and particularly to the Department of Internal Affairs for their guidance, encouragement and financial support.
Gratitude is also extended to the Waitaki District Council, the Ahuriri Community Board, and the Otematata Residents Association, for guiding and supporting this unique opportunity.
Richard Paton
Otematata Community Led Development Coordinator
Steve Dalley
Chair Otematata Residents Association
Update 23 February 2022
It is with sadness that the passing of Anna Frost, our DIA support advisor, is acknowledged in this report. Anna was our supporter and advisor from the start and brought openness, enthusiasm and friendship that built confidence and provided direction as we embarked upon the open-ended journey referred to as “CLDP”. Our thoughts are with Anna’s family and friends as well as her colleagues in the Department of Internal Affairs at this sad time.
So, for the Otematata CLDP what does 2022 bring?
Just over two years into the formal relationship (the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding Nov.2019) it is the writer’s belief that the programme is on the cusp of a phase that on one hand clearly reflects the collaborative successes and endeavours of the working and governance groups, and on the other leads us directly to the implementation and development stages.
To really understand what this means readers of this report are encouraged to re visit the Otematata Residents’ website and refresh their understanding of what CLDP is about. Specifically, encouragement is given to re consider the Vision and the Values, the importance of stake holder engagement, and the opportunity and commitment to not only improve physical facilities and sustainability in an enhanced environment, but also to be reminded that it is about strengthening community relationships through respectfully working together.
The last two years have seen healthy debate as the three main projects have been identified and then as the details of the projects have evolved through careful consideration, considerable community feedback, and professional support. Supported by DIA funding and guidance and linking to the ideals shared by the Waitaki District Council in their 20-year visioning plan, project designs reflecting the wishes of the wider community are now at a stage for final consideration and ultimately implementation of the construction phase.
So, what does this mean in reality?
Remembering that these projects were identified by the wider community as priorities let’s start with the Wetlands and work our way to “swings and slides”. Please note these comments are not reflecting the staged timeline for development (this is yet to be decided) but hopefully they will show how all this links together.
These comments are also not an attempt to explain the designer’s rationale behind his planning or his planning itself. The comments are simply a narrative to try and illustrate that this development is a careful reflection of community feedback relating directly to the Vision, Values and the MoU.as agreed in 2019
The projects
1.
The Wetlands project includes the development of a new track to the end of the peninsular, incorporating boat access and the creation of specially designed places that can be used for ceremonial events, the sharing of cultural, historical, or educational information, or simply places of reflection and enjoyment.
A newly created carpark will create a sense of arrival and will make access easier at the Loch Laird end, and new entranceways branded to other post and rail gateways in other development areas will provide a sense of continuity and professional and environmental “sameness”.
2.
Leading through the Golf Course which has major improvement plans of its own, the CLDP collaborates with the Golf Club in the use of land alongside State Highway 83 (along the Golf Club fence line under the wires). This will provide beatification through a carefully defined “sense of arrival “incorporating specified planting, post and rail corners on the fence line, creative pathways and artistic features linking the A2O cycle track to the town centre. A proposed traffic island (for Transit NZ consideration) will encourage and provide a safer (slowing traffic speed) crossing point to the existing pathway, providing an invitation to the newly developed park, and the shop, carpark, and function centre.
Of course, none of this works without water and the CLDP is grateful of the opportunity to work with the Golf Club to mutual advantage in relation to this.
3.
Across the road the triangular area outside the Function Centre undergoes transformation through redeveloped planting, seating, and areas for conversation relaxation and information. And to compliment this, enhanced planting in the concrete medians in the carpark will add to the sense of arrival, impact, and attractiveness.
4.
Into the Park itself, the sports fields stay as they are, concrete paths and existing bicycle and skateboard areas remain untouched and considerable new planting adds to create enhancement, consistency, and beautification. An irrigation plan will support all development.
Shade areas, seating and a community BBQ will increase the desirability, and approximately six new play stations will further endorse the area as a place of family and fun.
Post and rail fencing will improve safety by acting as a barrier for younger children and will link with the designs of other gateways within the overall development.
So where are we up to?
Ongoing meetings with relevant stakeholders continue as planning moves through final stages. Once approved this will then allow funding applications to be submitted to DIA and the construction management and process to begin. What must be considered is that this is not a “one hit, home run”.
The overall project will need to be broken into stages; collaborative funding partners will need to be sought, sustainability must remain a strong dominant feature, and the reality of a three-to-four-year timeline must be acknowledged.
So, what might the immediate next steps look like?
Remembering that all planning reflects stakeholder feedback and wishes, it is intended to start with the children’s playground where additional play equipment will compliment existing facilities. This high-end inclusive equipment reflects carefully considered stakeholder wishes and is based on the best commercial and professional advice.
Remembering the playground is only part of the Community Park and CLDP enhancement programme, a copy of the plans and proposed stages and timeline will be posted on this website in the very near future.
So, let’s just wait and see. The CLDP Working Group and the ORAI Governance Group continue to get great encouragement from the Department of Internal Affairs, so with luck and good management hopefully we will see the first of these projects coming to fruition in the not too distant future.
Acknowledgement and gratitude are expressed to everyone involved in this time consuming and at times complex process…but through joint efforts, all indications signal that we are getting to the exciting bits.
With best wishes,
Steve Dalley
ORAI Chair
Richard Paton
CLDP Working Group Coordinator.
Update 24 October 2021
Community Led Development Programme
Working Group Meeting Minutes
October 16 2021
Community Led Development Programme
Update 18 August 2021
Following the previous updates around funding applications, it is great to be able to let you know that the Department of Internal Affairs has confirmed financial support which will enable:
1. Maintaining our Communication and Social Media presence
2.Completion of planning of the Community Park and associated enhancements.
3.Completion of planning for the new walkway and associated developments within the Wetlands.
This is a major milestone achievement for the Community Led Development Programme as it now enables the processes to continue to proceed to the end of the planning and design phase.
Following that we will then seek further support which will ultimately lead to tenders, project management and construction.
Throughout this process the Community will be kept fully informed through the normal communication channels and as always, we will continually seek your feedback.
Thanks are extended to everyone involved with these projects and in particular to members of the ORAI Governance Group and the CLDP Working Group, for the countless hours of meetings and discussion relating to this.
Thanks are also extended to the Department of Internal Affairs for their financial support and to Anna Frost (Department of Internal Affairs) for her ongoing guidance and encouragement.
With best wishes,
Steve Dalley
ORAI Chair
Richard Paton
CLDP Working Group Coordinator.
Update 22 July 2021
This brief update is to let you know that CLDP progress continues as per the previous reports and updates.
The current situation is that following approval by the ORAI, applications to enable funding for ongoing planning relating to the Community Park and Wetlands Walkway Development were submitted to the Department of Internal Affairs in the middle of June. A decision around this funding is expected to be made in early August which in turn will determine our next steps forward.
Information regarding this will be presented as soon as it comes to hand.
With best wishes
Steve Dalley
ORAI Chair
Richard Paton
CLDP Coordinator
Update 15 May 2021
good things take time
From the Stakeholder feedback relating to the three enhancement areas (Community Park, Wetlands, and Beautification) progress continues as follows.
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Taking on board all feedback and in particular the feedback around plantings, retention of sports field areas, and the playground development, the concept plans will be formally reconsidered to ensure they reflect community wishes. These will continue to be shared with the community and wider stakeholders until a decision of acceptance is made by the ORAI governance and supporting groups.
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The CLDP Working Group continues to work within Department of Internal Affairs expectations and budgetary timelines and is also making every effort to keep the community and stakeholders informed and involved.
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The Group is grateful of the encouragement that is being provided as it works through this process and once again acknowledges the considerable support and direction provided in the stakeholder feedback.
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Updates will continue to be posted on this platform as further information is available and the process is followed that will ultimately lead to the desired results.
With best wishes to all.
Steve Dalley
ORAI Chair
Richard Paton
CLDP Working Group Coordinator
2021
CLDP Report to ORAI April 2021
CLDP Report to ORAI October 2021
2020
CLDP Report to ORAI June 2020