Waimakariri Remains On Track For Rate Rise Under 5%

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6 days ago

Article – David Hill – Local Democracy Reporter
The Waimakariri District Council is expected to stick to its proposed rate rise of 4.98%.
Supporting growth by investing in infrastructure is the focus of Waimakariri District Council's annual plan, Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon says.
The council resumed its deliberations on its 2025/26 annual plan on Tuesday morning, May 27, with staff recommending to councillors to stick with the proposed average rate rise of 4.98 percent.
Mr Gordon backed the call and said the draft annual plan was in line with central Government direction, focusing on delivering local infrastructure, core services and ''a responsible rates increase''.
The council received 787 submissions, with the bulk being on the council's proposed waters services model, designed to meet the requirements of the Government's Local Water Done Well legislation.
''Residents told us they were happy with the direction we've proposed, specifically supporting investing in our infrastructure as Waimakariri grows and demand for service increase.''
The council has proposed beefing up its own internal business unit to manage water services, despite calls from its northern neighbours, Hurunui and Kaikōura, to join a North Canterbury water services council controlled organisation.
Around 97% of submissions supported going it alone on managing water services.
''This support has vindicated the strong stance and time we have spent advocating for better Three Waters Reform that respected local property rights and had assets remain in the hands of the communities that paid for them,'' Mr Gordon said.
Staff recommended minor changes to the budget following submissions, including grants of $10,000 to the Rangiora Bowling Club, $3500 to the Waimakariri Public Arts Trust and $8500 to the Ohoka Domain Advisory Board.
Changes to KiwiSaver, announced by the Government in last week's Budget, will also have a small impact on the council.
The council's finance and business support general manager Nicole Robinson said the changes could be absorbed in the budget, without increasing rates.
She said the council planned to spend $89.6m on capital projects over the next 12 months.
The Waimakariri district was continuing to experience growth, with 743 consents for new houses issued in the 2024 calendar year, but the council continued to operate in an uncertain economic environment, she said.
Inflation has improved, with Consumer Price Index inflation now estimated at 2.2% and the Local Government Cost Index inflation, which impacted on the council, now at 3.3%.
Interest rates have also dropped, with the Reserve Bank's Official Cash Rate now 3.5%, down from 4.25% earlier in the year.
The council's interest rate from the Local Government Funding Agency is now 3.48%.
Deliberations were set to continue this afternoon, with a reserve day planned for tomorrow (Wednesday) if required.
The council is due to meet again on June 17 to adopt the 2025/26 annual plan.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.