Otama Scheme Referendum Prelim Result

Otama Rural Water Scheme consumers have voted in favour of moving ownership of the scheme away from the Gore District Council.

Voting in the referendum closed today. The preliminary result sees 225 votes in favour of transferring ownership of the scheme to Otama Rural Water Ltd. There were 23 votes against.

The voter turnout was 53.22%. The final result will be released on Monday.

The referendum follows a Local Member’s Bill, passed by Parliament in 2019, allowing ownership of the scheme to be transferred to a new company with directors appointed by the scheme’s consumers.

Gore District Mayor Tracy Hicks said consumers had clearly shown their preference. The Council will now start to process of transferring ownership to the new entity.

Chief executive Stephen Parry said the Council will work with the Otama scheme committee over the coming months to ensure a smooth transfer of ownership at the end of this financial year, 30 June 2022.

Learn more about the referendum on our Let's Talk website.