Council Corporate and Customer Services group manager Jean-Paul Gaston said submitters represented a cross-section of the community and offered views on a wide range of issues. Nearly 100 submitters had also taken up the invitation to talk directly to the mayor and councillors about their submissions, at hearings scheduled for May 15 to 17, he said.
Councillors would deliberate on all of the submissions received at a series of meetings set down for June 5 to 7 and the Long Term Plan would be adopted on July 1.
Mr Gaston said the council's proposals were not yet set in concrete, as the views of the community needed to be considered first as part of the decision-making process.
Mr Gaston said submissions showed significant support for most of the council's proposals signalled in the draft Long Term Plan.
"There is 80 per cent support for the council's overall direction, 79 per cent support for our increased focus on economic growth and 79 per cent support for airport debt reduction proposals.
"Proposed changes to our rating system are supported by 56 per cent, while 71 per cent support the changes identified for our water rating system."
But Mr Sturt said he had fielded calls from frustrated ratepayers saying the council had already made up its mind and making a submission would be a waste of time.
"Residential rural ratepayers will be in for a big shock when they open their rates bills in the next few months, as their rates are going through the roof."
He said the lack of submissions was proof many people did not understand the process.
However, economic and regulatory services committee chairman Mike McVicker said Mr Sturt was just making waves and felt the number of submissions reflected the public's view they were happy with where the plan would take Rotorua.
"Once again, Charles is playing the devil's advocate, as is his wont, but I would suggest the opposite. I think the amount of submissions received reflects the fact that people are reasonably confident with it," he said.
Councillor Mark Gould said he thought more submissions should have been made.
"Rotorua residents don't know how important this Long Term Plan really is and it only gets looked at every three years."
Mr Gould said he did not support a change to the capital value rating, saying the land value system had worked well and he saw no reason to change it.
Rotorua residents support:
Proposal to limit rates increases - 96 per cent support.
New Transport Centre development - 85 per cent.
City Safe Guardians programme - 83 per cent.
Shared services with other councils - 82 per cent.
Pensioner housing upgrades, private/public partnership - 81 per cent.
Tutanekai St revitalisation - 81 per cent.
Overall direction of draft Long-term Plan - 80 per cent.
Economic growth focus - 79 per cent.
Airport debt reduction proposal - 79 per cent.
Eat Street permanent precinct - 79 per cent.
Night Market enhancements - 77 per cent.
Aquatic Centre upgrade - 76 per cent.
Boosting online customer services - 72 per cent.
Increased investment and tourism marketing - 71 per cent.
Equalisation of water rating charges - 71 per cent.
Kuirau Park upgrade and integration - 69 per cent.
Change to Capital Value-based rating system - 56 per cent.