With major, complicated projects that will significantly affect people's lives and rates bills to be considered in this year's draft annual plan, the Otago Regional Council plans to make an "extra effort" in the way it consults the public.
The draft annual plan includes proposed amendments to the council's 2009-19 long-term plan to allow for the funding of the Leith Lindsay flood protection scheme, changes to the Taieri flood and drainage scheme rating and amendments to the Dunedin transport special rating district.
Chairman Stephen Cairns said, at yesterday's finance and corporate meeting, the council needed to make an "extra effort" to ensure the community was aware of the significant impact the Leith Lindsay and Taieri rating proposals could have.
"I'm concerned the traditional approach with submissions in a limited time may not allow the council the opportunity to get a good feel for what the community is feeling."
Normally, the council adopted the plan, as it did yesterday, and gave the public about eight weeks to make written submissions before holding hearings for those who wanted to present their submissions in public.
Cr David Shepherd said, from pre-consultation meetings already held regarding the Taieri rating changes, it was clear the issues were complicated and people were finding it "difficult to get their heads about it".
Chief executive Graeme Martin said there was a need to ensure the community had time to inform themselves about the projects so they could make an informed submission to council.
"Personally, I'm not convinced there is massive benefit in town-hall type meetings."
Instead, he suggested the council hold open days with information available and staff and councillors on hand to answer any questions so people could "talk specifically with specific people".
Councillors agreed the open-day concept had worked well in the past.
The process for those who wanted to comment on other aspects of the draft annual plan would remain the same.
Director corporate services Wayne Scott said, while it was proposed to increase the general rate 2.5%, the overall amount gathered by targeted rates was to drop, meaning the rate take would decrease overall.
Cr Duncan Butcher said it had been a long time since the council had been able to hold or pull back targeted rates, which was positive.
Mr Woodhead said the rate increase was realistic given the work the council had planned for the coming year but warned there would be impacts for the individual "hidden" among that.
The committee to hear all submissions on the plan would be made up of Mr Woodhead and councillors Duncan Butcher, Bryan Scott, Louise Croot and David Shepherd.
