Federated Farmers, the Taieri Flood and Drainage Ratepayers' Group and Taieri farmers presented their concerns about the cost of future flood and drainage works to the Otago Regional Council 2010-11 draft annual plan hearing in Dunedin yesterday.
Hearing the submissions were Crs Duncan Butcher (panel chairman), Stephen Cairns, Stephen Woodhead, Doug Brown, Michael Deaker and Gerry Eckhoff.
After hearing farmers' concerns at last year's annual plan hearings, the council agreed to a review of the targeted rating system on the Taieri.
Farmers hoped the review would identify the true beneficiaries of flood and drainage work on the Taieri, so rating could become fairer.
Yesterday, the farmers suggested the council take into consideration that there was a level of community benefit outside the Taieri from the works.
Federated Farmers policy adviser David Cooper said if the cost of future works was spread throughout the region, through the council's uniform annual general charge, then it would reduce the financial impact on Taieri landowners.
Ratepayers group spokesman Colin Scurr said farmers felt the wider regional benefit of the works necessitated a review of the council's funding policy for the schemes.
Taieri farmers wanted all means taken to ease the burden of rate increases, such as only undertaking enhancements that showed a positive community benefit, delaying the Waipori flood pump replacement until it was justified and considering the option of selling leasehold land to fund capital works, he said.
Otago Federated Farmers chairman Michael Lord said the Taieri was a different place to what it was 25 years ago. The level of flood protection needed in 2010 could have changed and that needed addressing.
However, Mr Cairns warned spreading the cost across the region could mean Queenstown, which was facing a passenger transport targeted rate, could also call for Taieri farmers to help pay for its new bus services.
Cr Duncan Butcher said the general rate already contributed 4% to the total cost of the lower Taieri flood control scheme in recognition of Dunedin International Airport and State Highway 1 being on the plain.
Council environmental engineering and natural hazards director Gavin Palmer said flood protection works were like the spare tyre in a car - maybe not used often, but critical when needed.
The hearings panel adjourned yesterday afternoon to consider the 108 submissions made on the draft plan.
