Waitaki District Council Faces Overwhelming Workload, Report Reveals

A recent report from the chief executive of the Waitaki District Council has highlighted the significant challenges faced by its staff during the final quarter of the financial year. According to the report presented by Alex Parmley, the council’s capacity has been stretched to a critical point as employees manage a series of demanding projects, including the completion of the long-term plan and compliance with new government reforms.

The report outlines a range of specific tasks that have contributed to the overwhelming workload, such as addressing the government’s Local Water Done Well reforms and several other local council reforms. These include changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA), which are crucial for the ongoing review of the district plan. In addition, staff have been engaged in progressing the council’s transformation program and delivering on both capital projects and routine operations.

“The past year, including the last quarter, has seen the organisation, its capacity and its people stretched to being close to overwhelmed with the volume of high-priority work, while maintaining delivery to our district and communities,” said Parmley. He expressed his gratitude for the dedication of the staff and the governance team during this challenging period.

Significant improvements have been noted as a result of the transformation program, which aims to enhance how the council conducts its business. Yet, unforeseen challenges related to the Local Water Done Well reforms have placed additional demands on staff, particularly after councillors reversed an initial decision regarding the reforms. The complexity of the long-term plan work and the increased resources needed for the district plan have compounded these difficulties.

Despite the pressures, the implementation of a new customer service model has yielded positive results. The report states that this initiative is “improving access to customer services and increasing the speed of service delivery, as well as ensuring greater efficiency in use of resources.”

Parmley acknowledged the disruption that comes with such transformational change but noted that essential services have largely been maintained with minimal interruptions. The delivery rate for capital projects has improved, with major undertakings such as the Network Waitaki Sports and Events Centre, the Forrester Gallery Extension, and the Kakanui Bridge replacement continuing to progress successfully.

However, there were exceptions, particularly within the library service, which experienced temporary disruptions, and governance support services, where the council struggled to adjust to an increased number of complex meetings. As a result, service standards dipped during this transition period.

The report highlights the tension between maintaining business-as-usual operations and the fear of failing to meet the demands of transformation. This has placed considerable pressure on staff, slowing down the progress of changes while not halting them entirely.

As the council navigates these challenges, the focus remains on balancing ongoing service delivery with the need for transformation, ensuring that staff are supported in their efforts to meet the demands of their roles.