Exactly 200 public submissions have been received in response to proposed changes to economic development in the Waitaki.

The Waitaki District Council is in the public consultation stage of proposals to establish a new Economic Development Agency (which includes the closure of Tourism Waitaki), and investigating potential business partners for the Ōamaru Blue Penguin Colony. 

Cut off date for submissions was last Sunday (May 7). 

Council business attraction and recovery manager Melanie Jones said there has been a good level of engagement from businesses and community members and a strong interest shown in the future management of the Penguin Colony. 

Of the submissions received, 25 people have chosen to speak to their submissions, and will be heard on Monday (May 15). The hearings and deliberations will be livestreamed on the Waitaki District Council website beginning at 11am.

Of the 200 submissions, 116 were against closing Tourism Waitaki and establishing the agency, and 70 were for. Thirteen did not submit on this question.

On the subject of the penguin colony, 138 were against a potential partnership, and 52 were for investigating the possibilities. Nine did not submit on this topic.

Of all those submissions, more than 60% acknowledged the outstanding conservation and research work achieved by the colony.