Upper Clutha residents can speak with Otago Regional Council (ORC) councillors about their Long Term Plan (LTP) at a drop-in session in Wānaka tomorrow (Thursday April 18). 

The regional council has proposed a programme of works in the proposed LTP which would mean Otago ratepayers would need to fork up for an average rates increase of 18.6 percent in 2024-2025.

Across Queenstown Lakes the increase could be much higher as the result of a targeted rate for public transport (PT); while public transport is only being proposed for Queenstown, under the current proposal Upper Clutha ratepayers would be subject to the targeted rate.

In a statement ORC said a home worth $1.2M in Queenstown Lakes could face an increase of $125, but Queenstown Lakes deputy mayor Quentin Smith said average ratepayers would face "a substantial increase".

The ORC has created an online rates estimator which indicates that a Wānaka property with a capital value of $1.69M could face an increase of more than $270.

Search your own property here.

Quentin told the Wānaka App last week he expects the community to “push back hard” on the Upper Clutha’s inclusion in the targeted rate.

“It is incongruent that Wānaka and the Upper Clutha are being asked to contribute to PT through ORC rates when we have no PT services provided for us,” he said.

“PT would be fantastic for the Upper Clutha, and even more so in time, but it does come at a significant cost, not one that we should be burdened with without access to the services.”

Other factors driving the proposed rates increases include flood protection and drainage programmes and environmental project funding, ORC chair Gretchen Robertson said.

Thursday’s drop-in session will provide a chance for residents to share their views and learn more about the LTP proposal.

“We need to know now whether you agree or disagree with these proposals,” Gretchen said.

The drop-in session will take place between 4pm-7pm at the Lake Wānaka Centre.

Residents can also have their say on the LTP by making a submission, which Gretchen encourages.

“There are options up for discussion and we’re urging people in the community to make submissions now as the work programmes being discussed will have effects on them for the next 10 years ahead.”

Submissions can be made on the ORC website until April 28.

PHOTO: Wānaka App