Water entity stakeholders group elect lead roles
Clutha District Mayor Jason (Jock) Martin.
Clutha District Council Mayor Jock Martin has been elected as the Chair of the newly established Southern Waters’ Stakeholders’ Representative Group.
The group, which has two representatives from each Southern Waters shareholding council (Central Otago, Clutha, Gore and Waitaki District Councils), as well as provision for two mana whenua and one rural water member, held its first meeting on 30 April, 2026.
The main purpose of the meeting was procedural, with the election of a chair and deputy chair, and the adoption of its terms of reference and standing orders.
First-term Waitaki District councillor Frans Schlack was elected deputy chair.
The Stakeholders’ Representative Group (SRG) sets expectations and monitors the performance of the Southern Waters on behalf of shareholders.
Among the first key tasks for the SRG will be selecting additional directors to support Southern Waters’ Establishment Chair Bruce Gemmell and progressing the development of a Statement of Expectations.
This document outlines the SRG’s strategic priorities, performance expectations, and the outcomes it should achieve for the communities Southern Waters serves.
The Statement of Expectation also serves as a key accountability mechanism under the Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025.
Southern Waters is being established by Central Otago, Clutha, Gore and Waitaki District Councils to deliver safe, reliable and financially sustainable water services for our communities.
It will be the largest joint Council water services entity in the South Island, delivering water, wastewater, and stormwater services to about 84,100 people across an area of 24,702 km².
