With 48 hours until annual plan submissions close, the Otago Regional Council has received only 27.
The council's draft plan for 2013-14 proposes a general rate increase of 5.34%, with the general rate take for the financial year budgeted to be $5.02 million, compared with $4.76 million last year.
Council corporate services manager Wayne Scott said submissions were traditionally slow to come in, with the majority arriving on the final day.
Of the submissions received so far, the majority were about the council's possible investment in Tarras Water Ltd's irrigation scheme.
The council will make a decision at its June meeting on whether to invest $3.5 million in the scheme's dry shares. The region's rates for the next year will be set at that meeting.
As a result of the timing of the decision, the draft plan hearing panel would accept submissions on the possible investment, Mr Scott said.
The draft plan also included provision for implementing water quality plan change 6A, which focused on controlling contaminants being discharged from rural land to waterways.
Council chairman Stephen Woodhead said the implementation of the water plan changes would extend over several years. About $8.6 million is programmed in 2013-14 for flood and drainage schemes including about $5.9 million for flood protection works for the Water of Leith between St David St and Union St in Dunedin, he said.
Submissions close tomorrow and hearings for those who want to speak to their submissions will take place during the week beginning May 13.
