"Farmers and Horizons consulted and we were rated for a particular scheme for the removal of willows out of the river channel.
"Over 10 to 12 years the willows have been sprayed and left to die back in small sections at a time and so now, when we have an adverse weather event, like two weeks ago, that clearance allows the river to act like a river.
"It's working exceptionally well and it's value for money for more than just farmers. Route 52 and River Rd follow the Akitio River, so the advantages are beneficial for everyone."
The region relied on agriculture, forestry and tourism, and in the past the river had prevented these.
"This Akitio River scheme is a community-initiative and is not just farmers who benefit," Mr Read said.
"We have kids who need to get to school and everyone benefits."
Horizons proposes a district-wide scheme for Tararua, as opposed to the individual scheme arrangements which exist.
The new scheme initiative would complete willow control and management work through the district, but it would come with a cost - a uniform capital value-based rate of $3.60 per $100,000 capital value.
Eighty per cent of the operating cost for the scheme will come from targeted rates, with the balance obtained through the region-wide river and drainage rate.
And while the average rate increase was 8 per cent, Mr Barrow said it varied from property to property.
"One might face 8 per cent, another just down the road 4 per cent and another 12 per cent," he said.
"We struggle as regional councillors with so many variables, and for a few ratepayers it's an 8 per cent increase, but for others it's either above or below that figure - substantially.
"Horizons are providing a level of service across the whole district and by dissolving three schemes, Akitio, Eastern Manawatu and Ihuraua, we will be reducing administration costs and so can spread the benefits across the region.
"The idea is to get rid of administration costs and spend the money on river costs. Yes, this is a tax, but to not have this tax, the cost imposed could be much more.
"We acknowledge this is a tax with no individual benefit to ratepayers but in Tararua we have a large volume of rain and flooding and elsewhere, when rivers start moving there is trouble.
"I don't want to see that happening in Tararua. "
Mr Barrow said without the work at Akitio, damage from flooding could have been much worse.
"There was very, very minimal damage.
"Horizons is providing a service which will be beneficial for the district as it's been shown at Akitio."
Significant rain:
• Just under 300mm of rain was measured at the Horizons Toi Flat Akitio station on March 7 to Friday, March 9. This included a massive 240mm of rain from Thursday 8 to Friday 9.
• This was far more than measured at this location during the two ex-tropical cyclones in April 2017 and the severe weather event in July 2017.
• It resulted in the Owahanga River, measured at Branscombe Bridge, rising from a previous monthly average of about 700mm to more than 5000mm.
• Have your say: You can make submissions on this proposal in the Horizons long-term plan until April 30, either online or by a written submission to Freepost 217922, Horizons Regional Council. Private Bag 11025, Manawatu Mail Centre, Palmerston North.
Or Email your submission to haveyoursay@horizons.govt.nz
Call freephone 0508 800 800 to have your submission noted down.
