Today’s episode features Teviot Valley resident and community board member Gill Booth, as she continues to fight for a drop in the proposed rates rise.

Earlier this month, Gill attended the Central Otago District Council (CODC) annual plan hearing where she raised her concerns, many of which have been echoed by other members of the Teviot Valley - that a 33 per cent rates rise was too high.

Gill clarified that the proposed 33 per cent was a targeted rates rise, so how much of an increase would be determined by the value of a person's house and whether they were on town water supply.

“It all depends on where you live in the community.”

Teviot residents made 59 submissions to the annual plan, which made up almost 40 per cent of the overall submissions received.

“A lot of the people who are facing a 33 per cent rates increase are elderly. Their wealth is in their property, and they are on a limited income. So, some of those people are having to find an extra $800 to $900 a year,” she said.

“That’s a real worry for older people.”

Gill is concerned it will result in some people not getting out of bed or they will cut back on food or electricity just to make ends meet.

“So, that’s an overwhelming worry.”

The majority of people from the Teviot Valley who made a submission to the annual plan have called for a town hall meeting, in the hope their fears will be realised.

She told the CODC that a two-hour drop-in session leading up to the annual plan in the middle of the week between 4pm and 6pm was not sufficient.

Instead, she was hoping a town hall meeting could take place on a Wednesday or Thursday night, which she wants council members and other district leaders to attend, so people could be better informed about the situation.

To hear more from Gill, tune into The Outlet.

Read more: Teviot Valley residents voice their concerns