The mayoral candidates - incumbent Malcolm Macpherson, deputy mayor Tony Lepper and Jeff Hill - attended two forums yesterday, in Cromwell and Alexandra, both jointly hosted by the Otago Daily Times and the Otago Chamber of Commerce.
About 40 people attended the Alexandra forum.
After answering set questions on three key issues, candidates fielded questions from the floor.
Alexandra businessman John Corkery asked why a vacant section in Alexandra attracted rates $500 higher than those for a similar vacant section in Wanaka.
Dr Macpherson said the council's policy had long been for an empty section to be rated as if it were built on.
The aim was to ensure sites were developed, rather than having a "land bank" of undeveloped sections.
Mr Lepper said the council was talking to developers about such issues and should be flexible enough to review how it set rates.
Candidates were also asked for their views on wind farms, mining in Central Otago and Contact Energy's proposals for further hydro-electricity development on the Clutha River.
Mr Hill said there was no need for a wind farm on the Lammermoor Range: "The demand is all from the North Island, so build a nuclear power station in the North Shore instead."
He disagreed with underground mining and was against any damming of the Nevis River but said "maybe" a low dam at Luggate might be acceptable.
Dr Macpherson was in favour of wind farms, against underground mining but approved of gold-mining, and said "maybe" to further hydro-electricity development on the Clutha - depending on the scheme and the mitigation measures.
"We need to start ruling things in, instead of ruling them out, when they're good for the economy and the population and aren't so bad for the environment."
Mr Lepper's response was that he had the utmost faith in the Resource Management Act when it came to decisions about projects.
However, as a kayaker, he was against any hydro-electricity development on the upper Clutha.
Other topics canvassed included the district's water woes, the outcome of a series of community planning meetings, funding depreciation, the future of Alexandra, tackling power prices, and whether the council fostered development.
Earlier in the day, 13 people attended the Cromwell forum, and council spending on tourism was one of the topics raised.
Mr Hill said council spending could not continue to rise at its present "unaffordable" rate.
Cuts could be made in tourism.
"We need to put some constraints on spending. It's going to be difficult but it has to be done. I don't think the council should be in tourism the way it is."
Dr Macpherson said the council looked closely at the services it provided and what it could do without.
He supported the council's tourism role.
"I am an advocate for local government intervention in tourism and economic development. It's been proven that after a bit of help these areas do thrive. It's a prudent investment."
Mr Lepper agreed the council had a role to play in tourism and economic development but may have taken its involvement too far.
