Councillors are seeking feedback from the Community.
Councillors want to hear the views of the community in relation to their proposed changes to both fees and charges and to rates.
Council is proposing some changes for:
- Water connection and use charges and rates
- Public toilet user charges and the rates allocation for toilet costs
- Some other user fees and charges (including for parks and reserves usage following community feedback)
Councillors have been working to keep rate increases for 2025/26 as low as practicable in a very challenging environment. Councillors recognise the financial pressures on our ratepayers and community. At the same time the costs of providing infrastructure, in particular roading management and 3 waters infrastructure, and compliance with national drinking water standards and reforms, are driving significant increases in the order of 20% in these areas. Adjustments have been made to mitigate the impact of cost increases where possible.
In the Council’s Long Term Plan 2024-2034, the overall forecast rates increase for the coming year was 10.8%. In early April the Council released a work in progress estimate of 12.06%. This included some proposed changes to fees, charges, and rates. Since then, more work has been done, and further changes are proposed. If all the proposals go ahead the projected rates increase is currently sitting the below that signalled at 10.4%.
Councillors are proposing that more costs are borne by those who use proportionately more services and facilities, rather than by general ratepayers directly. This user pays approach, helps reduce the general rate burden on those who do not receive those services or use certain facilities.
What Changes do Councillors want feedback on?
Councillors are proposing to reduce rates increases by:
- Charging more for excess water usage including lowering the current threshold;
- introducing user pays for the Pukaki and Hamilton Drive public toilet costs;
- shifting a greater allocation of public toilet costs to the targeted Tourism and Economic Development rate;
- changes to some other fees and charges (including for the use of parks and reserves following community feedback). Most fees and charges will be staying the same.
To make those proposed changes, Council needs to also make changes to its Revenue and Financing Policy.
These changes will result in a more ‘user pays’ approach and an estimated overall 2025/26 rates increase of 10.4%.
Public Consultation on these proposed changes commences on Tuesday 6 May and will finish on Friday 6 June.
More information and detail
For more information:
We will be holding a series of drop-in sessions where Councillors will be available for you to come and have a chat with. We’ll also have copies of the relevant documents.
Councillor Consultation Drop in Sessions
| Fairlie | Mackenzie Community Centre Tuesday 13 May |
|---|---|
| Tākapo (Lake Tekapo) | Lake Tekapo Community Hall Monday 19 May |
| Twizel | Twizel Events Centre Wednesday 21 May |
| Online | Details to be advertised Thursday 22 May |
The full list of Council Fees and Charges can be found in the supporting documents on Council’s Let’s Talk page.