13 Oct 2008

High Country lease hearing begins

1:06 pm on 13 October 2008

South Island High Country farmers are challenging proposed rental increases for pastoral leases at a hearing which started in Dunedin on Monday.

They are opposing the outcome of a Government review which would increase rents by up to 600% and include amenity values in calculating the rents.

Minaret Stration has been chosen as a test case in the dispute before the Land Valuation Tribunal.

The hearing is expected to take two weeks.