Ratepayers in the Lower Taieri Flood Protection Scheme could have their proposed rates rise of 10% reduced by half if a recommendation to an Otago Regional Council committee is approved.
Recommendations from the panel which heard submissions on the draft long-term plan, which included a 3.86% general rate increase, will be considered at a finance and corporate meeting tomorrow.
The panel, led by Cr Duncan Butcher, has recommended withdrawing the proposal to form a bund and swale within the Gordon Rd spillway overland flow path to protect about 15 homes.
Eight submissions had been received on the proposal and all opposed it, concerned it would only have a minor effect in a minor flood and that it could increase the impact of floods on nearby properties, a report to the committee said.
The panel suggested a workshop should be held with all affected parties to explain the decision.
Removing the project would take about $385,000 out of the capital expenditure programme and reduce the targeted rate for the area from 10% in 2012-13 to 5%.
It also meant a reduction for all ratepayers, as 4% of the project would have been funded by general rates. It reduced the proposed rate increase from 3.9% to 3.86%.
Another Taieri project in the draft plan has been approved by the panel - the upgrade of the Waipori flood pump station at a cost of $1 million, which submitters had asked to be delayed.
A request for the revenue policies of the drainage schemes on the Taieri should be turned down, as the hearing panel considered that "drainage provides a wholly private benefit".
However, the panel had recommended a review of general rate regional and sub-regional contributions to the lower Taieri scheme be completed before next year's annual plan process.
It also recommended a rating review for the lower Waitaki River be done after the Otago Regional Council and Environment Canterbury river management strategy technical review.
The panel recommended all funding applications be turned down, including $60,000 for wilding pine control, an $11,5000 increase for the Otago Ballance Environmental Farm Awards, and $5000 to the Historic Places Trust.
Requests for the proposed 5% bus fare increase to be dropped were turned down, as the council's policy was to get 50% of the cost of running the service from fares, the report said.
The recommendations, if endorsed, would go to the June council meeting for adoption.
