The public are being encouraged to attend two Otago Regional Council (ORC) meetings in Oamaru this week.

This Wednesday ORC has a full council meeting and also a Regional Leadership Committee meeting in Oamaru, followed by councillor field visits the next day.

Council chairperson Gretchen Robertson said there is a diverse range of subjects being considered at the meetings which will give people a good idea of the wide-range of environmental work the council undertakes for communities.

It will also be a great opportunity for the councillors to get an understanding of the issues and opportunities facing the North Otago region, and see the work being done by those who give a huge amount to the community and environment and who can share a unique North Otago (and environs) perspective.

The Regional Leadership Committee meeting is at the Waitaki District Council chambers from 10.30am to noon, followed by the full council meeting from 1pm-5pm.

Full details of the meetings’ agendas are publicly available, but Gretchen said some of the topics will include the Land and Water Regional Plan, and ongoing discussions about ORC’s long-term plan development and funding and financing policy review.

The main council meeting will start with a public forum. Those scheduled to make presentations include a group from Waitaki District Enviroschools programme, Gretchen said.

On Thursday, councillors have been invited to field visits, including being hosted by the North Otago Irrigation Company, and briefings from ORC staff on work being done around the Kakanui River.