Investment In Core Services And Infrastructure Continues In Lower Hutt
Hutt City Council has today approved its Annual Plan 2025/26 which balances investment in core infrastructure and services in a challenging economic environment.
The Annual Plan sets a rates revenue increase of 12.6% (after growth) which is a reduction from the 13.4% (after growth) increase forecast in the 10-Year Plan adopted in 2024. This equates to an average weekly increase of $8.90 per household.
More than half goes toward water services and transport. Of the average weekly increase, $4.27 is for investment in water services, and $1.16 is for investment in transport. Fixing our pipes and other water infrastructure remains our top priority and is driving much of the increase in rates.
There is $256 million of capital investment forecast for the year. This includes funding for significant resilience projects such as Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi (RiverLink) and the Seaview Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Key challenges faced by Council in setting the Annual Plan were:
Demand and pressure on infrastructure, largely due to ageing assets and historic underinvestment.
Housing supply and affordability.
Delivering services for a growing population.
Responding to climate change and sustainability.
Government policy reform impacts and uncertainties.
Mayor Campbell Barry acknowledged the impact on households of any rates increase.
"We know households are under pressure, and any rates increase is tough. That's why we've trimmed costs, deferred non-essential work and gone line by line through the budget to keep this increase as low as we can while still investing in the infrastructure our city needs. We are clear that kicking the can down the road on upgrading our infrastructure will only cost ratepayers more in the future." .
"It would have been politically convenient to slash our rates increase in an election year, but the impact of that would be a hospital pass to the new council post October's Local Body election. That's not something we are willing to do."
Council has taken a balanced approach and found $17.5 million in savings to reduce costs while not cutting back on basic services.
Changes have been made to various Council fees and charges including the daily parking rate which moves to $12 per day citywide. The daily parking rate was previously $10 a day.
And in a move that will save ratepayers about $50,000 a year, Council will now send four rates invoices a year instead of six. The change only affects how often you receive invoices, not the overall rates you're charged. You can find details here: https://www.huttcity.govt.nz/property-and-building/rates-and-valuations/due-dates-for-rates-payments
Mayor Barry has also asked council officers to prepare budget review options for the incoming council to consider. These options will include a focus on service prioritisation, affordability, and value for money.
"This is in response to the significant change that will come with water being removed from the council's balance sheet when the new entity is established.
"This will be the biggest change for council since Hutt City Council's inception in 1989. It's the right time for council to do a full budget review."
Council also approved a new initiative with other councils called the Rates Assistance Programme. The service will help councils to offer low-cost loans to ratepayers.
Council also offers various rates relief packages if certain criteria is met. Details can be found here: https://www.huttcity.govt.nz/property-and-building/rates-and-valuations/support-for-rates-payments
The Annual Plan 2025/26 - which is similar to what was set out and consulted on last year in the 10 Year Plan- takes effect from 1 July 2025.
The final Annual Plan 2025-26 will be published on our website. Before then, it can be found from page 129 of this document: https://huttcity.infocouncil.biz/Open/2025/06/HCC_27062025_AGN_5409_AT.PDF
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