A public meeting led by Grey Power to support Central Otago residents’ concerns about this week’s rates increases, attracted about 150 people in Alexandra on Saturday.

Former ACT MP Gerry Eckhoff, who was also once an Otago regional councillor, chaired the meeting which was also supported by MPs Todd Stephenson and Joseph Mooney.

Gerry made it clear at the start of the meeting that “nobody came here today to put council on trial,” and acknowledged there were many other similar meetings being held around the country.

Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan and several councillors were in attendance and when questions around the room jumped to why the council couldn’t make more cost savings, he got up and spoke.

“There is a whole big list of things that don’t need done,” he said referring to community spending, and reiterated that the time to speak up about those was heading into next year’s Long Term Plan (LTP), which has been deferred until 2025.

But, in the meantime, the focus was on the Annual Plan, and council had already shaved off $10 million from its spending, for projects that weren’t urgent or affordable.

However, people at the meeting said they still didn’t understand what those cost savings were.

Mayor Tim said much of council’s proposed 18 per cent rates increase was just to cover basic infrastructure upgrades such as wastewater and drinking water in its Annual Plan, “and we don’t have a choice in a lot of this.”

Prominent local figures including MPs attended the rates meeting at St Aidans Church in Alexandra last weekend. PHOTO: The Central App

“We all hurt and we feel your pain and we know this situation sucks,” Mayor Tim said.

Local businessman Dewald de Beer said he was confused that people in the community didn’t know why the costs were so high, when there had been ample opportunity through drop-in sessions, etc for the public to ask those questions.

“It’s the important stuff that is costing us at the moment, and if we go with less money, the important stuff won’t get done. There is no fancy stuff in there.”

Gerry said it was the wellbeing of the people of Central Otago that must be front and centre, “especially when setting rates in this very difficult time.”

But Dewald, representing a young demographic in the community, said delaying spending on vital infrastructure upgrades wasn’t fair on those families who would then have to pay for them in the next 30 years.

“If we want to keep the rates low, what does the future look like? It’s just delaying the pain.”

A motion was moved at the meeting at the St Aidans Church Hall that the rate increase should be no more than the rate of inflation (4-5%), and local businessman Stu Millis proposed a street march to council on Wednesday morning to drive that message home.

“Stick to your budgets,” one person said in the crowd, with another questioning if the population was increasing so fast, why that hadn’t made any impact on the rates?

Mayor Tim assured Grey Power of a speaking spot at 10am on Wednesday morning at council chambers to further share their concerns, but plans are also underway for placards and a street march first.