Commissioners will conduct a hearing into plans to build a new floodbank at the south end of Milton but when is still unclear.
The Clutha District Council applied to the Otago Regional Council for a land use consent to build the floodbank it believes will better protect the township from flooding.
Almost all of the 20-odd submissions opposed the move and a pre-hearing meeting failed to resolve any major differences between the council and submitters.
In a report to yesterday's regulatory services committee, planning and environment manager Murray Brass said the regional council has asked for more information about the application, which meant the timing of a hearing was still uncertain.
It was appropriate the regional council was the lead agency because most of the significant issues "related to the consents it needs from that authority".
Because the district council was making the application, it was appropriate independent commissioners make up the panel instead of councillors, he said.
"Normally, such appointments would be made by the committee or council, but given the uncertainty over timing, it is recommended the chief executive be able to make appointments if needed."
Building: Clutha's building activity over the past year continued to lift, figures show.
The council processed 660 permits for work valued at $51.4 million in the 2007-08 year compared to 743 permits for work valued at $32.4 million in the previous financial year.
Investments: Council investments earned it about $137,000 in May, figures show.
Its fixed interest fund returned $99,459 while the cash fund earned $37,444.
With one month's figures to come before the full financial year's results are in, both funds have earned the council a combined $$1.3 million so far in the 2007-08 period.
Rates: Clutha ratepayers eligible for help from the Government's rates rebate scheme have on average received $409 each.
The council helped process 683 applications, which collectively received $279,659 assistance.
The figures are almost identical to those last year.
Appointments: Cr Jeff Seymour and council corporate services manager Alan Dickson will be appointed as the council's representatives on Clutha Recreation Centre Incorporated, which is investigating the building of an indoor multi-sport facility.
The council asked for the appointments when it granted the group up to $85,000 for the investigations.
Wind farm: The council's bill for the appeal against its decision to grant consent for the Mahinerangi wind farm reached $60,690.
Mr Brass said it was assessing how much of that will be charged to appellant Contact Energy.
