A seven-term councillor at the Otago Regional Council (ORC) has been elected as the new chair.

Dunedin-based Gretchen Robertson won the role of chair with seven votes, ahead of councillor Kevin Malcolm who received five votes.

Gretchen, who has served on the council since 2004, has a degree in ecology and experience in a range of freshwater science roles. 

She said she is passionate about creating a fair, science-based knowledge foundation which delivers strong environmental bottom lines.

The success of the next three years depends on the all ORC councillors banding together, Gretchen said.

“I am here, not as an individual, but part of a team,” she said. “Together we are the leaders of the Otago Regional Council to manage environment, resource and transport planning issues for the third largest region in New Zealand by area.”

The ORC is responsible for the sustainable management of the Otago region’s natural resources - land, water and air. PHOTO: Wānaka App

Last week’s annual report highlighted the heavy workload ahead for the ORC.

It includes the setting of critical policies and rules to protect Otago’s water, land and air, ongoing environmental monitoring to better inform decision-making, and responding to numerous types of environmental incidents.

“There will be ongoing pressure to balance the affordability of ORC’s work programmes with continued need for robust frameworks to regulate the use of our natural resources, while also achieving ‘on the ground’ results through operational activities,” ORC interim chief executive Pim Borrem told the councillors at a recent meeting.

At the first meeting of the new triennium, Gretchen urged councillors to work together.

“We need to be open to new understandings of others, be willing to work together and to have fun.” she said. “This will take time, to focus on relationships, starting with our own team, then extending to key external relationships. 

“We will only sustain relationships if we are trustworthy and deliver.”

Councillor Lloyd McCall was elected as the ORC deputy chair.

The ORC is responsible for the sustainable management of the Otago region’s natural resources - land, water and air.