6.9% rate increase confirmed

Media Release - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Westland District Council’s Annual Plan 2022/2023 was adopted by the elected members at today’s Extraordinary Council Meeting. With a final rate increase of 6.9% in line with inflation the adopted plan is a win for the community, who expressed their discomfort with the original 12.5% proposed increase.

“I am pleased that as a Council we were able to take on board the feedback from the community and find compromises within the plan that allowed us to reduce the rates increase,” says Deputy Mayor David Carruthers. “The community can still expect to receive the services that we planned for through the long term plan, but we have very carefully considered where we might be able to reduce costs. Council will still have to weather the increases for fixed overheads along with everybody else.”

Other amendments to the plan based on community feedback include:

• Staffing costs reduced and future new roles to be approved by Council.
• Funding of the museum has been reviewed to achieve savings.
• Committing to ongoing maintenance of the Stafford Cemetery
• Providing electricity and gas to the Ross Rugby Reserve changing rooms.
• Tourism rate increased $13,000 to support Glacier Country Development.
• Otira toilets will be reinstated.
• Budgets for the Pakiwaitara Building and Council Building earthquake strengthening have been reduced.
• The Pakiwaitara Building fitout, Jackson Bay Wharf upgrade, Cass Square Skatepark, Hokitika Swimming Pool stage 3, Mahinapua boardwalk and bridges and Gibson Quay public toilet upgrade are being deferred.

ENDS

Media enquiries to:

Emma Rae, Strategy and Communications Advisor

Emma.rae@westlanddc.govt.nz