Elected members signed off the council’s submission on an exposure draft - not the full bill - of the proposed Natural and Built Environment Act at a full council meeting on Wednesday. Language in a clause of the draft relating to rural developments, specifically the word “pursued”, suggests that development may or may not occur, the council submission says. Council wanted an outcome that promotes rural development, rather than pursues, the council submission says. “At the moment it appears that it will be harder to develop in the rural environment than in the urban”, the council submission says. The draft says in relation to rural areas, development is pursued that enables a range of economic, social, and cultural activities and promotes the protection of highly productive land from inappropriate subdivision, use, and development.
Councillors and farmers John Douglas and Margie Ruddenklau voted against the motion. Eighteen Southland towns have sewerage schemes and the full sewerage charge would reduce by $115 per rating unit, but many farmers do not have sewerage connections. In practical terms, a Tuatapere residential ratepayer, with a capital value of $125,000, will pay $108 less than they would have. That ratepayer’s hike will be four percentage points less than previously expected, from a 19 to a 15 per cent rise. The council is looking to increase its rate take to pay for an extensive bridge replacement programme and other ageing infrastructure. Under the money redistribution move, a Te Anau residential ratepayer with capital value of $510,000, will save $86 on what had previously been proposed; from 10 per cent to a 15 per cent rise.
The council sought public consultation asked if the main streets of Otautau, Riverton, Tuatapere, Winton and Wyndham should be prioritised for earthquake work. Changes could mean buildings on the five main streets would need to be bought up to standard in 12-and-a-half years. Gutsell told
Stuff many buildings on main streets of Southland towns were owned by small-time investors who would not be prepared for costly upgrades. He grew up in Otautau, lived in Invercargill then Australia before coming back to Southland in 2017, and now runs a coffee roasting business in Christchurch. His parents are still in Otautau and he worries the central meeting place of his hometown could be empty in years to come.