Quality housing is a key aspect of liveability in the Clutha District. Having the security of a home that is safe, warm, dry and affordable is a key foundation to the wellbeing of our people.

However, the housing market continues to be under pressure, with challenges in the availability of quality housing for both ownership and rental. Demand for social housing is also growing.

We intend to play an active leadership role to enable housing solutions, by continuing to build on partnerships with communities and central government. We will continue to facilitate residential development to add more quality housing in the district, whether that be residential subdivisions or single houses and infill development in our towns.

Council’s Strategic Direction for Housing (July 2020) continues to guide our approach and outlines why quality, affordable housing is of vital importance to the Clutha District.

We’re committed to ensuring Council-owned community housing units support those most in need throughout the district and Council is seeking feedback on how best this might be achieved.

We are focused on maintaining our key infrastructure for residents and future generations and increasing levels of service to meet compulsory requirements, such as increasing standards for sewage discharges and drinking water. Importantly, Council will also look at facilitating growth where there is potential for this. For more details refer to Infrastructure, and the Draft Infrastructure Strategy 2024/34.

Climate change is presenting challenges and opportunities for the district. Council’s draft Clutha District Climate Change Strategy provides an understanding of climate change impacts in the Clutha District, help deliver resilient infrastructure services and guide decision making. This is discussed in more detail at Climate Change.

Actions that help to enhance economic growth are critical to the ongoing sustainability and liveability of the Clutha District. For this to be achieved we need to ensure that job opportunities are filled, and that we have a vibrant and diverse workforce with the skills to meet the changing needs of the district. This will continue to be crucial to our success both now and into the future.

For the Clutha District this means continuing to:

• Provide recruitment support for our businesses.
• Provide supporting infrastructure which enables businesses to flourish.
• Being open for business in terms of visiting and investing here.
• Use what is available to fully support our residents.
• Attract investment and ensure economic and community development underpins our actions and decisions.

The preservation and celebration of cultural and heritage values is part of what makes Clutha a great place to live, work and play.

We are looking to showcase our rich culture and heritage, to better share and celebrate who we are. This includes sharing community stories, making historical objects and records more accessible; and incorporating our local history and culture into community facilities such as halls and public spaces.

The physical environment influences nearly every aspect of life in the Clutha District. Many residents relate strongly to our rural environment, with its outdoor lifestyle and focus on agricultural production. Our farming heritage is an important part of our identity, and for many people, life is shaped around action and interaction with the environment. Reducing our environmental footprint underpins community well-being and is a priority towards making Clutha a great place to live, work, and play. With amazing scenery, brilliant and growing cycle trails, stunning beaches, and opportunities for whitebaiting, fishing and surfing, the physical environment readily supports wellbeing through physical activity and moments of wonder and reflection.

The Clutha community is a strong one – it is a resilient community with a can-do attitude.