In March, Dunedin city councillors voted to include $1.25 million of additional Forsyth Barr Stadium funding in the 2026-27 draft annual plan, bringing the total payment to $4.2m, followed by a $1.25m increase the next year.
Federated Farmers Otago provincial president Luke Kane said any additional funding should be serviced by a uniform rate, not the property value-based general rate, and the council should avoid extra stadium costs where possible.
Funding additional costs through the general rate would disproportionately affect rural properties and farms, which tended to have a higher value than inner-city residential properties, he said in a public submission on the draft plan.
‘‘A farmer with a $5m farm will benefit from the stadium no more than a homeowner with a $650,000 house; and in reality the farmer may benefit less if they live in the hinterlands of the city and rarely travel to Dunedin for events.’’
Strath Taieri Community Board chairwoman Terina Geddes acknowledged the stadium’s value, but said ‘‘ratepayers should not be asked to subsidise entertainment venues while essential rural services remain under-resourced’’.
Infrastructure maintenance in Middlemarch and surrounds often lagged behind upkeep in urban areas, she said.
‘‘Rural equity must be a central consideration in council’s financial decisions.’’
An annual plan hearing will be held tomorrow.
