Average rates rise in Selwyn 5.9%

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

The Selwyn District Council has adopted its Annual Plan for the next 12 months, with an average rates increase across the district of 5.9%.

The Annual Plan was adopted by councillors on Wednesday and confirms what services and projects the council intends to deliver in the new financial year, what they will cost and how they will be funded.

In a statement, the council said a focus on savings without compromising services and facilities used by the community helped keep the rates rises below the rate of inflation.

The council planned to spend just over $177 million, with a focus on water, transport and community facilities. It had also committed to investing $184.5m in infrastructure to deliver on the needs for Selwyn’s growth, which is expected to continue. The investment includes $27.9m in water supply projects, $55.8m in wastewater projects and $56.2m in transportation projects.

“We’ve checked in with our community and confirmed that we’re on the right track with the projects that matter most to them during this time when all of us are feeling the pressure of rising cost," mayor Sam Broughton said.

A total of 113 submission were received during the engagement period, and 17 submitters presented in public hearings.

Actual rate changes will vary for individual households depending on the mix of targeted rates households pay, and services provided.

Visit selwyn.govt.nz/annualplan for more information.