A few changes to the Central Otago annual plan have not altered the bottom line, so the overall average rates rise will remain at 3.4%.
The district council adopted its annual plan this week and confirmed the rates rise, although landowners' rates bills will vary depending on which ward they are in, the value of their properties, and whether they own urban or rural properties.
''Well done to everyone, council staff and councillors, for their work on the rates,'' Central Otago Mayor Tony Lepper said at the council meeting.
The total rates struck increased from $24 million to $24.8 million. The bulk of the rates money will be spent on roads, streets and bridges in the district (20% of the rate take), while the other main spends are on wastewater (11%), water supplies (10%), waste minimisation (10%) and parks and reserves (10%).
A total of 119 annual plan submissions were received and the majority focused on support for an underpass linking one end of the Otago Central Rail Trail with Clyde. The council agreed to spend up to $250,000 on the underpass from its minor improvements budget and to seek other funding sources.
Camper van dumping stations also generated many submissions. The council had planned to budget up to $100,000 for dumping stations at Cromwell and Alexandra, but after hearing submissions, resolved to allow a budget of up to $40,000 for each dumping station.
The third ''hot'' topic was the provision of $100,000 for cycleway and walkway maintenance. The council decided to allow the sum for maintenance and repairs of all cycling and walking tracks in the district.
