Core Service Delivery The Focus Of Bay Of Plenty Regional Council's Annual Plan 2025/26
Key points:
3% increase (including inflation) to general rates (reduced from a forecasted 8.2%).
A 2% reduction in the combined total targeted rates (reduced from a forecasted 6.3% increase). Increases and decreases will vary between targeted rate types.
$48m dividend from Quayside Holdings, Regional Council's investment arm, reducing rates by an average of $400 per household.
Estimated average annual increase per ratepayer of $11 (including GST).
Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council has achieved a more moderate rates increase than projected for its Annual Plan 2025/26 through reviewing budgets, considering affordability concerns and adapting to changing economic conditions.
The Annual Plan 2025/26, which was adopted yesterday [ SUBS: Tuesday June 24 ], sees a $7.3 million reduction across the budgets, resulting in a 3% general rate increase for ratepayers.
The budgets for year two (2025/26) of the Regional Council's Long Term Plan 2024-34 were anticipating an 8.2% increase to general rates and a 6.3% increase to targeted rates.
However, with a changing economic climate and shifting direction from Central Government, Regional Council recognised the need to address rates affordability, while still delivering on the essential services required by local communities.
Chair Doug Leeder says the focus is to deliver the work programme set with the community through the Long Term Plan 2024-34 in a fiscally responsible way.
'In the current environment, the challenge for councils is to achieve a balance between affordability and continuing to deliver the levels of service agreed upon with our ratepayers.
'We believe that this Annual Plan strikes the right balance between managing debt, keeping rates affordable and continuing to sensibly manage our infrastructure, while delivering the levels of service that the community expect from us.'
Through the Annual Plan 2025/26, an operating expenditure of $195 million has been set to ensure continued investment into the Regional Council's core services. This includes:
Public transport planning and operations through the bus network
Restoration and enhancement of the region's natural resources through land management, biosecurity, climate change adaptation, and freshwater monitoring and management
Flood resilience and natural hazards risk management
Regulatory compliance and resource consenting.
Chair Leeder says while the operating environment is dynamic and ever-changing, the Regional Council remains committed to its critical work that benefits local communities.
'Many of the decisions we make now are for today, tomorrow and beyond. The focus of this annual plan is to deliver both immediate and future benefits, ensuring that our services are provided in the most efficient manner possible.'
The Annual Plan 2025/26 was developed through a series of councillor workshops over the past six months with no formal community consultation held.
Under the Local Government Act 2002, councils are required to consult on the Annual Plan only if there are significant or material differences from the Long Term Plan (according to our Significance and Engagement Policy).
While cost savings have been identified, the Annual Plan remains consistent with the overall financial and strategic direction set out in the Long Term Plan 2024-34, so consultation was not required.
Some of the key savings identified for this year's Annual Plan 2025/26 include:
Public transport: $3.87 million. The government announced a reduced level of funding subsidy from the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi for public transport services, leading to a review and reduction of the public transport programme.
Freshwater: $370,000. Delays in planned work following changes to the Resource Management Act in October 2024. Regional Council will continue this work when a new National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management is released.
Flood Protection and Control: $280,000. Funding from Central Government (Beyond the Deluge) has reduced interest and loan costs for flood protection and control assets (such as stopbanks and floodwalls).
Rotorua Catchments: $800,000 moved to 2026/27 financial year. The funding for the Ohau Wall has been aligned to the timing of the work. This means total funding for the project ($1.6m) is spread over 2025/26 and 2026/27 financial years with $800,000 in each year.
Corporate: $627,000. Cost savings through better financial management, reducing interest costs and refining IT systems.
The budgets in the Annual Plan 2025/26 are used as the basis for setting rates (general and targeted).
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