The road ahead for Invercargill will not be without its bumps as the incoming council braces for big decisions and change.

A pre-election report has detailed a series of challenges for the small city of just over 55,000, including water service delivery, an ageing population, earthquake risks and getting back to a balanced budget.

It said the next council would need to “grapple with big issues”, and make decisions on financially sustainable delivery.

There was a “bow wave” of essential infrastructure replacements coming over the next 20 years, and rates would need to go up to fund both essential water work and the new museum.

Te Unua Museum of Southland has been a major talking point following its approval in 2022 but has faced both delays and budget issues.

It is still without a definite opening date and is now expected to cost $87 million.

Invercargill's Feldwick Gates and the entrance to Queens Park. Photo: Southland App

The report noted both the museum and inner-city renewal had been a focus of the past two terms, while indicating attention would shift towards core services and infrastructure.

Transition to an in-house water delivery model was also expected to be a key focus of the next term.

On the topic of water, a serious issue hanging over the city was the fact it only had a single supply, the Ōreti River, which posed serious implications in the event of a major earthquake or drought.

This long-known problem reared its head at a recent council meeting where a decision was made to delay a lower capacity emergency option for a better version down the line.

Clifton Wastewater Treatment Plant — the city’s only wastewater plant — has also been flagged for its low-lying location meaning it may need to be shifted at some point; a similar fate which could befall Invercargill Airport.

Issues not addressed in the report

Amalgamation remains on the table for all four Southland councils following a bold proposal from Southland mayor Rob Scott last August.

The idea has received a mixed response, but an investigation by the Local Government Commission was supported by some local leaders.

Invercargill mayor Nobby Clark has previously stated a preference for a single unitary authority should an amalgamation take place.

The city is hosting its first election without an incumbent mayor since 1993.

One issue not highlighted in the pre-election report was the potential reputational damage suffered by the council over the past six years.

Shadbolt’s final term was marred by conflict with council staff, concern from the Department of Internal Affairs, and fallouts with his deputies.

Mayor Clark’s single term has had its own issues too, including two code of conduct breaches — once for comments at a private event and again for appearing on a television show where he repeated the ‘N-word’.

Eight people are contesting the top job this time around, four of which are sitting councillors.

Invercargill fast facts (per pre-election report)

Home to about 55,000 people, over half of Southland’s population.

The median age of Southlanders is about 40.

Just under 17 percent of Invercargill’s population are Māori.

The city’s population is expected to hit 63,000 by 2033.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air