As I write this, our district has once again demonstrated its resilience in the face of another significant weather event. While we have come through with much less overall impact than January, there has been further damage to infrastructure – our roads in particular – a reminder of the real and ongoing costs of being a district exposed to the forces of nature.
We are vulnerable to the vagaries of weather, but we all remain convinced that we live in a very special place.
This does however bring a strong message that we need to be not only physically prepared for these events, but also financially prepared. Our financial reserves need to be available for the inevitable costs associated with a weather event like this – precisely why our council will not be using accumulated savings to artificially lower rate increase figures.
Which brings me to the main point in this piece today.
Our 2026/27 Annual Plan, now open for consultation, proposes an average rates increase of no more than 3.8%, a commitment I made while campaigning at last year’s local body elections and one shared by a majority of my fellow councillors.
Reaching that figure has required careful work and difficult decisions, all with the goal of laying a foundation for keeping increases manageable for ratepayers for next year and for future years.
On Tuesday last week council approved our Annual Plan for public consultation. This reflects the first five months of work by this council to address the front-of-mind issue of unsustainable rate increases. We have reviewed council work programmes, reconsidered the timing of some projects, and looked closely at the cost of running the organisation itself. The result is some fundamental changes to the way council will operate without the need to dip into our savings to cover daily costs. I am very pleased that an average rates increase of no more than 3.8% is now before residents and ratepayers for feedback.
I believe we have got the balance right, and now I am keen to hear from you about where we have landed. Please engage with the consultation document, attend one of our drop-in sessions, and share your views in whatever way suits you best. Your feedback will be read and will count.
All details of the plan and how to provide feedback are on our website – www.tcdc.govt.nz
