Waimakariri ratepayers face near 9% hike
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Waimakariri ratepayers are set for a rates hike of nearly 9%.
Planning for population growth, tackling inflation costs and preparing for natural disasters are set to feature in the Waimakariri District Council’s 2024-34 long-term plan (LTP).
Council staff proposed a rates rise of 8.94% at the opening session of LTP deliberations on Tuesday morning (January 30).
The impact of high interest rates meant several large projects including a hydrotherapy pool for the Kaiapoi Aquatic Centre and proposed cycle way projects were deferred to reduce the impact on ratepayers.
Finance and business support general manager Nicole Robinson said the district’s population was expected to grow from 70,000 to 82,075 by 2034, requiring about 4950 new houses, based on Stats NZ’s high growth scenario.
‘‘That equates to 495 houses a year and we are already trending towards 700 consents for new houses this year.’’
To support growth, major projects in the LTP included the proposed Rangiora Eastern Link Rd, an extension of the Rangiora Library and Civic Centre and completion of the Southbrook Sports Club facility and Mainpower Oval developments.
She said staff identified 21 potential risks over the next 10 years, including natural disasters, climate change, inflation and changes from central Government.
The council planned to establish a permanent infrastructure recovery team this year to manage the growing number of adverse events the district was facing.
While inflation peaked at 7.3% in 2022, it was expected to drop to about 2.2% next year, allowing staff to predict rates rises will drop below 5% from next year.
But Robinson urged caution in an uncertain economic environment.
‘‘If we were to see a high inflationary environment continue it would have a huge impact on our expenditure.’’
The proposed Kaiapoi to Woodend, Rangiora (Southbrook) and Woodend to Pegasus cycle ways were due to be funded as part of the previous Government’s Transport Choices funding.
However, the fund has been canned by the new Government.
Chief executive Jeff Millward said there was cause for optimism.
Credit rating agency Standard and Poor's has confirmed the council’s AA long-term and A-1+ short-term credit rating with a stable outlook.
An A-1 credit rating with the additional plus (+) sign means the council’s ability to meet its commitments is ‘‘extremely strong’’, according to the Standard and Poor’s website.
The council was still paying off its earthquake recovery loan from the 2010 and 2011 quakes, but Millward said the council was in a strong position.
‘‘We have enough head room for not one, but two major adverse events.’’
The council’s deliberations were scheduled to finish on Thursday, with councillors meeting again on February 27 to adopt the draft LTP for consultation.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we are having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.
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If the tree grew by five centimetres each year, how much higher would the nail be?
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