Consumers on the PALMERSTON, DUNBACK AND GOODWOOD Zones of the WAIHEMO WATER SUPPLY are asked to CONSERVE WATER until further notice.
Published on 11 December 2024
Waitaki District Council will consider a proposal to close down Waitaki District Health Services Ltd (WDHSL) at next week’s Council meeting.
WDHSL is the Council owned company that was set up to run the Oamaru Hospital for the 25-years it was in local control. Earlier this year, the hospital was returned to Health NZ amid rising clinical and financial pressures.
At that point WDHSL became the property manager, letting the hospital buildings to Health NZ on a ten-year lease.
The proposal to close down WDHSL will see the current board donate the buildings they own to Waitaki District Council, in return for signing a deed that they will be used for charitable purposes. It will also state that once Council’s outstanding loan to WDHSL is repaid any income from the lease to Health NZ will be ringfenced for improving the healthcare of the community.
This would mean that Waitaki District Council will be the owner of both the land (as currently), and the buildings, that the hospital currently occupies and will be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the buildings directly, rather than through WDHSL.
The proposal will have no impact on the continuance of the hospital or health services which are now the responsibility of Health New Zealand.