Clutha District Council approved its draft annual plan consultation document on Thursday 20 March 2025 and will be seeking community feedback on the projected average rates increase of 16.61%. This is slightly less than what was forecasted in the 2024/34 Long Term Plan due to savings identified by council of just over 3%.
Council wishes to categorically state its firm position in response to an article in Friday’s Otago Daily Times, which indicated this years intended Urban Rate rises would be in the vicinity of 60%. This is most definitely not the case.
As always, Council endeavours to provide the most up to date and accurate figures available, no matter how unpalatable. Consequently, we have held to the same underlying message right throughout last year’s Long Term Plan, continuing through to this years Annual Plan, being that this year would be challenging. The impact will be most noticeable in our Urban areas, with increases of just over 20% (refer to table below).
Our task in the coming weeks is to engage with our public and together seek further savings through efficiencies and prioritising projects. Council has implemented austerity measures, and savings of just over 3% have already been identified. We remain committed to providing reliable information that our public can have confidence in.
We know the people that we are proud to serve are already under considerable financial pressure, and that they are rightly concerned. So are we! Our promise is that we remain determined to fight for every benefit available.
We appreciate the impossible task the general public are confronted with, trying to keep up with ever changing requirements. Councils throughout the country are having to pivot on a regular basis, especially as we enter the critical phase of Local Water Done Well (‘LWDW’). That is our reality, and we appreciate your understanding.
We have included a table below showing proposed increases for your consideration and hope that this allays, to some degree, the many concerns that have already been expressed. We encourage our communities to submit your thoughts, assist us in the upcoming Annual Plan process and, most importantly, remain engaged as we enter the consultation stage for LWDW in the coming weeks.
At the Council meeting last Thursday, the Consultation Document was approved subject to errors that needed to be corrected before being released for public consultation. Consultation opens next week (Monday 31 March 2025).
Council understand that the ODT story published on Friday was compiled from Council’s draft document, which as stated above was approved subject to corrections.
In developing the Long Term Plan we identified there would be financial pressures associated with our infrastructure, with 89% of the projected rate increases attributed to roading, waste management and three waters, which primarily affect urban communities.
Councillors look forward to hearing people’s feedback when consultation opens and will consider their feedback at a hearing on 30 April 2025.
Council is also consulting on the fees and charges for the 2025-26 year and you can read more on our website: www.cluthadc.govt.nz/2025-planning
