Gore District Council's review of how rates are shared across the district is open for public submissions until 5pm on Wednesday 18 November, with three options on the table that would change what rural, residential, commercial and industrial properties pay.

The council adopted its statement of proposal on 20 October and opened consultation the following day. Hearings are scheduled for 3 and 4 December, deliberations for 10 December, and a final decision is due on 15 December.

The council says the rating system has not had a comprehensive review for many years, while property values have changed significantly, land use has evolved and the council faces financial and legislative pressures. It stresses the review is not about collecting more money overall. "This review is not about increasing the total amount of rates collected by Council," its consultation page says.

The first option would move more of the rates take out of targeted rates and into the general rate, which is based on capital value and land use. The second would change the uniform annual general charge, the flat charge every property pays, from a fixed 25 per cent of rates to somewhere between 22 and 28 per cent. The third would adjust the differentials that set each property group's share of the general rate.

The council says the impact will be different for every property, with some seeing little change and others seeing rates rise or fall. It has published a Rates Options Dashboard where owners can enter an address or valuation details to compare the options, with the caveat that the figures are estimates.

The council says the effect will be different for every property, and it has published a rates options dashboard so ratepayers can see what each option would mean for their own bill. Rural ratepayers, whose properties carry high capital values, have the most to gain or lose from any shift towards the general rate, and the council has acknowledged the rural impact will need careful explanation. Paper submission forms, a question-and-answer sheet and the full proposal are available at five information stations: the Gore District Library, Mataura Library, the council reception on Bowler Avenue, the Gore multi-sports complex and the Gore Visitor Centre.

A public meeting was held at the Gore RSA last night. The council's consultation page also promises community information sessions and drop-ins outside supermarkets, but does not yet list dates for further meetings.

The review lands as the council works to rebuild public confidence. Its annual residents' survey, released with the 2025-26 annual report, found only 23 per cent of respondents were satisfied with council decisions.

Submissions can be made online, or on paper forms available at the Gore District Library, Mataura Library, the council reception on Bowler Avenue, the Gore multi-sports complex and the Gore Visitor Centre. Submitters can ask to speak at the December hearings.

The documents behind the review, including the statement of proposal, a funding needs analysis and the draft revenue and financing policy for the 2027-2037 long-term plan, are on the council's consultation website. Whatever is adopted on 15 December will feed into the revenue and financing policy for the 2027-2037 long-term plan.