Rural ratepayers are objecting to proposed rates increases of up to 40% under major changes proposed by the Central Otago District Council.
The opposition by residents facing rates rises is one of the common threads in the 34 submissions received to the council's revised revenue and financing policy.
Submissions will be heard on Wednesday.
The policy was aimed at bringing equity to the district as a whole and the effect on rates would vary across the district and within wards.
Changing the way water, wastewater and stormwater are funded is one of the major changes.
Under the proposals, all ratepayers connected to a council water supply and wastewater service will pay the same amount, regardless of where they live.
All ratepayers will face a stormwater rate, based on a property's capital value.
Every ratepayer will also be charged a ''tracks and waterways'' charge of $22.89 per property, to maintain tracks throughout the district and recreational waterway facilities on the shores of Lakes Dunstan and Roxburgh and along the Clutha River.
As well, all ratepayers will pick up the tab for Molyneux Park in Alexandra.
An annual Molyneux Park rate would be $35.73 for the Earnscleugh-Manuherikia and Alexandra wards and $11.91 for the remaining wards.
Submitters were evenly divided on whether water, wastewater and stormwater costs should be ''shared'' by the district.
In his submission, Andrew Paterson, of Matakanui Station, said the impact of the new proposals was clear in the rating examples given.
''Those within the old Alexandra ward are experiencing significant [double digit] decreases in rates, while those in the Earnscleugh and Manuherikia areas are facing huge (double digit, and up to 40%) rates increases.
''In fact, the increases facing Manuherikia farmers alone come close to the total rates paid by some of those in Alexandra,'' he said.
Mr Paterson opposed the proposal to amalgamate the separate targeted rates (Alexandra, Earnscleugh and Manuherikia) into one Vincent ward services rate.
Pensioners who had just moved to Cromwell said their rates rise in one year could be as high as $500.
Another rural ratepayer said it was unfair the new rate was based on capital value.
A submitter who supported the ''districtisation'' of water, wastewater and stormwater said it was fair for the whole district to be considered one community, and major infrastructure costs to be shared by all.
