Councillors listen to community feedback on Long-term
Plan proposals
Environment Southland councillors have agreed to reduce forecast rates rises and to transition towards a new rating model over the next two years in response to feedback.
On 19 June, Councillors concluded the third day of deliberations and confirmed the draft budgets and 2024-2034 Long-term Plan, 2024-2054 Infrastructure Strategy, Revenue and Financing Policy and Rating Review, and the Fees and Charges Schedule.
Council’s key consultation proposal was focused on significant investment in flood protection to improve community resilience. As a result of the 330 submissions, Council has reduced its proposed $2.3m investment in flood protection to $1.17m in 2024-2025 by using reserves rather than rates, as well as changing the timing of some of the work.
The average annual total rates increase has decreased from the initial proposed 23% to 12.6%. This means for a $450,000 property the impact would be $34 per annum, or 67c a week.
Key decisions made by Council include:
- The funding of the flood protection operating expenditure with $2.34m of lease area reserves to reduce the impact on rates over four years, as consulted on with Catchment Liaison Committees.
- There will be a two-year transition to a Capital Value rating system and there will be further consultation during 2024-2025 on whether there is a local rate or regional rate to fund river management programmes.
- The use of $1.38m over four years from biosecurity and land sustainability surpluses to fund their ongoing work programmes and offset rates.
- The flood protection capital works programme from 2027-2028 onwards is indicative, and will only progress subject to detailed planning being undertaken, government funding being available, and further consultation with the community.
The plan will be formally adopted in July.
Copies of the decisions made can be read below:
Council decision – Budgets
Council decision – Infrastructure Strategy
Council decision – Rating Review
Council decision - Consultation