Rates for Central Otago will increase by 4.5% on average in the first year of the district's new 10-year plan, to pay for big projects.
After two days and about 15 hours of listening to submissions and complex discussions, the Central Otago District Council has finished the 2018-28 10-year plan.
Mayor Tim Cadogan said the rates increase was needed for investment in the district's future.
"Nobody wants rates to increase, including every councillor in this room [council chambers] but infrastructure needs have to be met, environmental needs have to be meet and it's under our 5% cap."
The majority of submissions on the four main issues - the Clyde wastewater project, Lake Dunstan's water supply, upgrades to Clyde Heritage precinct and kerbside recycling changes - supported the council's preferred options, so no changes were made from the draft plan.
The Clyde wastewater project, changing septic tanks to reticulated pipes in the town, would be completed in three stages from 2018-2042.
The Lake Dunstan water supply project to upgrade Alexandra's water would be completed by 2020, and would include constructing a cartridge filtration and UV treatment work while building a pipeline between a treatment site in Clyde and the Alexandra northern reservoir.
The council would also upgrade the centre of Clyde, improving Lodge Lane, parking and walkways.
District wide, the council would replace every second glass wheelie bin collection with a mixed recyclables bin collection.
Council corporate services executive manager Bernard Murphy said council staff would clarify fees and charges requests from the council before the next council meeting on June 27, when the plan would be officially adopted.
The council approved numerous grants but did not approve a $70,000 funding request from the Central Stories Museum & Art Gallery for a collection manager.
