Farmers who called for a review of flood and drainage rating on the Taieri plain may have got more than they asked for, with one describing the proposed changes as "significant".
The Otago Regional Council yesterday adopted a proposal suggesting that alterations to the rating on the plain go out for consultation in the draft annual plan next month.
The changes were the result of a review of the flood and drainage schemes initiated by Federated Farmers, the Taieri Flood and Drainage Ratepayers Group and Taieri farmers in 2009 after concerns were expressed about the cost of future flood and drainage works.
All those parties wanted to be sure the true beneficiaries of the work were identified so rating could become fairer.
Council staff undertook the review and had proposed changing "classes" of rating areas into "benefit zones", changing the basis for rating the drainage areas from area to land value and moving scheme ownership of some assets.
Before yesterday's council meeting, the changes were presented to the groups who had called for change.
Farmer Colin Scurr, who in his submission sought a review, said when contacted last night there was some concern about the changes, which were "significant".
"It'll take a bit of understanding [to get] the full impact."
The review was wider than farmers thought it was going to be and while some of the anomalies had been addressed, it was what else had been changed that concerned landowners, he said.
Farmer Michael Lord said on an initial look, he was not convinced the council had "weighted" changes the fairest way.
"I don't think they've got it exactly right."
Chairman Stephen Woodhead said at the council meeting the principles the changes were based on were very sound.
The implications of the changes depended very much on where people lived, he said.
Environmental engineering and natural hazards director Dr Gavin Palmer said staff took a "fresh look" at who was benefiting from work and who was exposed to hazards, such as some properties having a greater exposure to the Taieri River while others were exposed to the Silver Stream, and some were exposed to both.
The changes would be explained at two public meetings to be held before the annual plan consultation.
