A group of irate Taieri farmers are set to drive their tractors through central Dunedin this afternoon to protest changes to how their Otago Regional Council rates are set.
The Taieri Rating Review, which aims to have those benefiting the most from anti-flooding measures and drainage works paying more rates, is due to be adopted as part of the council's annual plan at a meeting of the full council tomorrow.
However, many farmers on the Taieri did not agree with the rating review and want its implementation delayed until a funding review was held next year and more consultation was carried out.
Last night, a group of farmers met to discuss how they should approach a meeting today with the council's Taieri representatives, Stephen Woodhead (also ORC chairman) and Cr David Shepherd.
Farmer Ad Bekkers confirmed about 10 tractors would be driven over Three Mile Hill towards the Octagon before heading to the Otago Regional Council building in Stafford St shortly after 3pm.
"It will be a peaceful thing. We don't want to annoy the public."
Mr Bekkers said for some farmers the review would mean a rates rise of up to 50%, which was a "hard pill to take" with no improvements or benefits to get for the extra cost.
The review, which had been consulted on during the annual plan submission process, had drawn submissions from about 43 farmers, with about 41 opposing it.
"Most farmers are not happy. They feel they haven't been listened to."
Despite this, the annual plan hearing panel advised a recent corporate services committee meeting it felt consultation was sufficient, with public meetings held as well as the changes being included in the annual plan.
Mr Bekkers said it did not help that Mr Woodhead and Cr Shepherd supported the review.
"We feel we are without representation at the moment."
Although the farmers had requested a rating review, it was to address the rating inequities with new subdivisions, not the whole rating system, which had been in place for 30 years, he said.
Taieri farmer Simon Parks said the situation was "pretty frustrating", as farmers still had a lot of unanswered questions about the review and its implications.
"There are a lot of holes in there that haven't been addressed. They seem hellbent on bringing this in."
