As part of our Long Term Plan 2024 - 2034, we need to change the timing of some projects to reduce the impact on rates – What do you think?

CLOSED: Consultation has concluded. Please see key dates within the timeline for next steps.

The current picture 

Nobody likes hearing about rates going up. Especially on top of all the other rising household costs. We hear you. Council has its own budget to balance, and we are facing increased costs too. Roads and water supply are 27% more expensive to build, and sewerage systems 30% more expensive than they were three years ago when we put together our last Long Term Plan – according to Local Government New Zealand.

The changing landscape 

We're doing our best to keep costs down for you, but to achieve this we’ve had to make some tough choices. To strike a balance between affordability and ensuring our District keeps moving forward, we’re asking you to join us in considering the options.

Framing the future 

We are looking at changing the timing of some projects so we can spread out some of the costs over future years and reduce the immediate impact on you. Most importantly, we want to ensure that you're getting the best value for your money while still receiving the services you rely on every day. The projects in the table on the next page are ones we think are important to the community and deliver services the community have told us you want, so should be delivered, however they are not pressing, and the timing has been considered. Our debt profile increases up to $427m in 2030 and average rates increases of 13.6% in year one (2024/25), 10.4% in year two (2025/26) and 8.4% in years 3-10 (2027-34).

There are two options:

1. Our preferred option - Change the timing of some projects to reduce the immediate impact on rates (2024/25) and then spread out some of the costs in future years - 13.6% rate increase in Year One (2024/25).

• Impact on rates: 13.6% rate increase in 2024/25 (Year One). This will move out rate increases to later years.
• Impact on debt over 10 years: This will reduce debt in the short term, but will increase overall debt across the ten years, due cost inflation.
• Impact on levels of service: Despite changes in project schedules, efforts are made to sustain the existing levels of service. However, due to these project timing adjustments, the delivery on some agreed increases in levels of service are delayed compared to previous plans.

2. Stick to the original timing of some projects - resulting in a 24.4% rate increase in Year One (2024/25).

• Impact on rates: 24.4% rate increase in 2024/25 (Year One). 
• Impact on debt: This will increase debt in the short term, but will reduce overall debt across the ten years, due avoiding cost inflation.
• Impact on levels of service: No impact on levels of service.