With two weeks left until submissions for the Otago Regional Council's annual plan close, 10 submissions have been received.
The council has increased its publicity in the weeks leading up to submissions closing to ensure ratepayers throughout Otago know of the proposals in the annual plan and Long Term Council Community Plan.
They included raising the transport rate by 42%, increasing bus fares by 25%, funding the Awatea St stadium by up to $37.5 million and recovering 50% of compliance-monitoring charges from consent holders.
Corporate services director Wayne Scott said, while a few submissions had arrived soon after the document was released, only a trickle had since come in. However, that was not a concern, as submissions usually came in at the close of of the time allotted, which was until May 9.
Strategic communications associate director Peter Taylor said, given the issues in this year's plans, the council wanted to ensure everyone in the region had the opportunity to comment.
To do this, 21 advertisements had been placed in Otago newspapers and 200 radio commercials were being played throughout the region.
Councillors yesterday praised the advertising campaign, including the regular airing of parts of an interview with chairman Stephen Cairns on Channel 9.
A summary was available online and at council offices for those who did not want to read the entire plan.
