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."
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