Otago Regional councillors are thankful the council has secured insurance given the circumstances after Christchurch's earthquakes.
The "good news is we are insured; the bad news is that there has been a hike in premiums [of 36%]", Cr Sam Neill said at yesterday's meetin,g in Dunedin.
The increase in premiums related to drainage infrastructure, such as pumps, would be passed on to ratepayers through targeted rates.
"We should be thankful we have got insurance, as we wouldn't want to be without it," Cr David Shepherd said.
Chief executive Graeme Martin said, apart from factors relating to natural disasters, the premium levels were the result of the council's claims history and culture of minimising risk.
An investigation into the possibility of increasing the discount bus users get by using their Go Card has shown it would only increase the burden on ratepayers, the Otago Regional Council has found.
The investigation found a 10% decrease in discount would increase patronage by 2.1%, or 45 fares, and reduce fare revenue by $392,000 a year.
An increase in cash fares of 10% would reduce patronage by 0.8%, or 17 fares, and reduce fare revenue by 0.7%.
"While we want more people on buses, not at such a big cost as that," Cr Michael Deaker said.
Cr Trevor Kempton said the investigation had also showed the fares were well pitched at the market.
