Clutha ratepayers will see an overall rates increase of 3.42% across the district, although some townships face rises of up to 9%.
The Clutha District Council met on Thursday to adopt the long-term plan for 2012-22, and to strike rates for the 2012-13 year.
The overall rates rise is slightly less than the 4.21% increase projected in the draft long-term plan.
However, Stirling and Clinton face rises of 9% and 8.9% respectively.
Stirling's rates increased after a review of how community services (parks, reserves, halls and swimming pools) were rated.
Because of its close proximity to Balclutha, the township sees a rise in its community services rate from $13 a year to $84. Stirling's water treatment plant is also due for an upgrade in the 2013-14 year, estimated to cost $353,000.
Clinton's rates increase of 8.9% from $1980 for an average property last year to $2157 in 2012-13 is primarily because of increased water services costs, faced by most of the district.
The water services costs have been driven up district-wide, as the council upgrades water treatment plants in order to meet new drinking water standards.
Upgrades on the Balclutha, Kaitangata, Lawrence and Tapanui water supplies have been completed over the past three years and other townships' water supplies and rural schemes are earmarked for upgrades over the next 10 years.
The long-term plan introduced a fixed component on local roading rates, meaning each ratepayer pays a minimum of $50 for roading a year.
The council has budgeted $2.6 million for the upgrade of Balclutha's main street, including $400,000 to put power lines underground.
Public consultation on the upgrade design will take place later in the year, with the council hoping to have the upgrade completed by the middle of next year.
Changes to the draft long-term plan include providing $2300 towards Waihola Looking Forward for new picnic tables for the Waihola domain; a short-term interest loan of up to $150,000 to the Tuapeka Aquatic Centre to help cover pledged funding; and increasing funding for the Kaka Point Life Saving Club by $4400 to help fund an extra lifeguard.
The cost of attending to problems at the Kaka Point landfill will be met by the whole district, rather than coming from wheelie bin rates and landfill users.
The Clutha District Council (CDC) had been in discussions with the Otago Regional Council and the Department of Conservation about the former landfill site, which was uncovered by coastal erosion.
The CDC plans to remove waste from the most vulnerable area and protect the site from erosion, at an estimated cost of about $330,000.
