A push by Mahinerangi residents to have their land transferred from one council to another will be addressed by the Local Government Commission today.
Fourteen landowners in the area, which is administered by the Clutha District Council, launched a petition last year calling for the Deep Stream, Lee Stream and Waipori catchments to be vested in the Dunedin City Council.
The move would involve the transfer of about 40,000ha of land, mainly used for sheep farming but including Lake Mahinerangi, Waipori township and the site of TrustPower's planned $400 million wind farm.
Lake Mahinerangi farmer Robert Reid, who launched the petition, said at the time a boundary change would better recognise the fact the area was more orientated towards Dunedin than Balclutha.
Both councils agreed to put the issue in the hands of the commission.
Commission chief executive Donald Riezebos said the application attracted 41 submissions, with those "evenly split" between supporting and opposing the application.
Both councils, Mr Reid and other interested parties, including forestry owners, TrustPower and the Department of Conservation, are expected to address the three-member panel of commissioners.
Twelve of the 41 submitters had said they wanted to speak today, Mr Riezebos said.
The hearing will be held at the Clutha District Council chambers from 9am.
