Wide-ranging proposals for rating changes within the Otago Regional Council’s (ORC) Long-Term Plan 2024-2034 will affect every property owner in the region, ORC chair Gretchen Robertson says.

The potential changes include how the council rates properties (including those with targeted rates), trials of regional public transport, flood protection and drainage schemes, river and catchment management, freshwater farm plans, environmental projects, and more.

“The Long-Term Plan is the cornerstone for setting the direction of key work programmes and it’s imperative all ratepayers have their say on these proposals,” Gretchen said.

“We really need people to get involved and contribute to this vitally important plan.”

ORC is holding seven drop-in sessions for ratepayers across the region between April 10-18, and it has online and postal options available.

Ratepayers can also contact their councillors directly.

Gretchen said 10 different rates are being considered for changes so rates can be “more fairly applied, to have a more workable, transparent, and understandable process”.

She said the changes won’t affect the current level of services the ORC provides; instead “it’s about how the work programmes are funded and who pays for them”.

“The calculation changes will be different for everyone, depending on where in Otago people live. That can be complex so we have created a rates estimator to use.”

“Ratepayers shouldn’t be put off from giving feedback or making submissions given the large scope of changes, as they can choose areas of particular interest to them,” Gretchen said.

Public feedback is open until April 26.

The Wānaka drop-in session will take place on April 18 at the Lake Wānaka Centre’s Armstrong Room, 4pm-7pm.

Ratepayers can also have their say online here.

Following public input, final decisions on the LTP are scheduled to be made at council’s meeting in June.

PHOTO: Wānaka App