ORC approves revised rating system for Taieri flood protection and drainage schemes

A new rating system covering flood protection and drainage schemes on the Taieri Plain is for the most part much fairer than its predecessor, Otago Regional Council (ORC) chairman Stephen Woodhead says.

The council yesterday accepted a recommendation from its finance and corporate committee to modify the rating system, which covers the Taieri flood scheme and the East and West Taieri drainage schemes.

The review was instigated by people connected to the schemes, and included a detailed analysis of the ownership of infrastructure, the areas this serviced, and the benefits derived from it.

Cr Woodhead said the review was particularly important, as it clearly identified who benefitted from the flood and drainage scheme works and apportioned the scheme costs on that basis through rates.

As a result, new rating boundaries were proposed which more closely linked the rates payable by property owners to the benefits they derive from the schemes.

Cr Woodhead said the previous rating system was not as fair to all parts of the community as the new rating system was.

There are 5600 individual ratepayers contributing to the three flood and drainage schemes on the Taieri.

Cr Woodhead said it was unfortunate that some people would pay more than previously to be part of the scheme.

“I can understand that this is difficult for them to swallow. However, the result of the review, which they requested, is that everyone now bears a more accurate share of the costs of maintaining the schemes, relative to the benefits they receive.”

Cr Woodhead said while there had been claims from some users that the council had paid lip service to consultation during the process, in fact, there had been several well advertised opportunities for people to have comprehensive discussions with councillors and staff.

Councillors had attended community meetings, listened to submitters at annual plan hearings, and carefully considered all the points made.

It was after this, that they modified the proposal that amends the council’s Long Term Council Community Plan.

Cr Woodhead said that because much of the land on the Taieri Plain is close to, or below, sea level, a substantial flood protection and drainage system has been developed over many decades to keep the area productive and habitable. These works require an ongoing investment in infrastructure which residents depend on.

“I’m satisfied that council has responded appropriately to the community’s request for a robust review.”

Taieri flood protection and drainage scheme infrastructure includes: 160km of floodbanks, 272km of open drains (including bridges and culverts), six pumping stations, diversions (including 18 bridges), floodgates and outfalls, bank protection, and both controlled and uncontrolled spillways.