We do not have control over many of the factors that have contributed to the rates increase, however, we do have control and options on how we manage the impact.

All options presented have no impact on levels of service.

We are presenting three options with Option 1 being to accept the challenges up front, meaning a larger initial rates increase in the first year of the Long-Term Plan

2025-2034 but the lowest overall cost to ratepayers. Options 2 and 3 propose to “smooth” the impact over two years and five years respectively using borrowings (loans) to ensure we continue to provide the essential services. Options 2 and 3 result in interest costs and will cost more for ratepayers in the long run.

Each of these options propose a different approach to balancing affordability with overall costs and we would appreciate your careful consideration in managing how this balance is struck.

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The local roads in our district receive crucial funding through the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi's (NZTA) National Land Transport Fund (NLTF). This fund helps to support essential services like road maintenance and footpath renewal by co-funding a portion of the costs that Council budgets towards these activities. Effectively utilising this funding programme is one of the ways that Council balances transportation infrastructure spending with its impact on rates. Council currently receives around 68 cents for every dollar we spend on eligible and approved work.

While Council strives to make the most of its roading budget by applying for NZTA contributions, not all activities submitted for funding are approved. This means that some proposed roading activities have not received the NZTA co-funding Council hoped for, resulting in a funding gap. Council requested NZTA co-funding (subsidy) for a $22.36 million budget over a three-year period from 2024 to 2027.

However, NZTA has advised Council that they will only co-fund $19.71 million of roading activities. This means that $2.65 million in roading activities would need to be wholly funded by Council to undertake our original plans.

One of the key decisions in this Long-Term Plan is how Council addresses this funding shortfall. The choices we face will directly impact how Council manage roading and footpath activities moving forward, with the understanding that continued underfunding of our roading activities may affect future levels of service. Whether through adjusting budgets to cover the costs, prioritising certain activities, or delaying others, your input will play a crucial role in helping Council determine the most responsible and sustainable approach for the district. Our preferred option of $952,475 is the minimum funding required to bridge the shortfall while ensuring that we can maintain current service levels.

All options presented have no impact on debt levels.

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Our district is fortunate to be surrounded by incredible natural beauty, and Council believes that expanding outdoor recreational opportunities is one of the best ways to help everyone enjoy these spaces. Whether it’s parks, trails, or community spaces, these areas give us all a chance to connect with nature and stay active. Council is committed to creating spaces that enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors, while preserving and showcasing the stunning environment in the district.

When new subdivisions are built in our district, developers contribute funds that go into a special account set aside specifically to improve recreational spaces for everyone. These contributions help fund parks, walkways, cycleways, and other recreational facilities that enrich the district. Council has proposed using a portion of this fund to provide grant funding to Waimate2gether to help build a shared use trail for walkers, runners, and cyclists. The trail project is being spearheaded by the community-led development group Waimate2gether and would set out to develop a 67km loop trail that showcases both spectacular scenery and significant heritage spaces in Waimate.

Waimate2gether has proposed an estimated budget of $1.38 million for stage one of the three stage development. Council has already committed to providing $100,000 in funding and would like to contribute an additional $150,000. Council will allocate the $150,000 from the Recreation Reserve in 2027, to be repaid after this LTP. As no cash funds are set aside, a loan will be required, which will incur interest and have a minor impact on rates. Council has also set strict conditions on both the delivery and use of this funding to ensure that the funds are applied responsibly and deliver outcomes that align with the Recreation Reserve Fund’s purpose of enhancing recreational spaces for the benefit of everyone.

Council would like to hear from you. Do you support Council’s proposal to fund an additional $150,000 for the development of this community led project?

All options presented have no impact on levels of service.

Subdivision Recreation Reserve Contribution Fund: $627,000 as of 30 June 2024 (noting Council has already made other commitments that will reduce the fund balance).

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Fees and Charges

Council routinely reviews fees and charges to ensure they reflect the true cost of providing essential services to the district. To ensure fairness in how some services are funded, it's important that the costs are generally covered by those who use them. By updating our fees and charges, we can better align with this principle and avoid those not using the service from subsidizing its cost.

As part of this process, Council is adjusting its general fees and charges along with those related to the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) and the Food Act 2014. These adjustments are also necessary due to the increasing costs of delivering these services and the fact that fees have not been amended in over four years.

Under the Food Act, fees and charges support vital health and safety services, including the inspection and monitoring of restaurants and eateries to ensure public safety and compliance with food safety standards. Similarly, fees under the RMA support critical functions such as issuing resource consents and managing subdivisions, services essential for regulatory compliance, land development, and environmental protection.

These proposed updates are designed to ensure that Council can continue to provide these important services effectively while maintaining fairness for all ratepayers.

See all proposed fees and charges

Annual Grants

Community grants are a vital component of our societal landscape, playing a pivotal role in fostering local development, confronting pressing issues, and enriching the lives of our community members.

Council values the opportunity to connect the aspirations of local leaders, community groups, and volunteers with the resources necessary to bring their visions to life. Waimate District Council community support grants aim to facilitate a wide range of efforts including welfare, heritage, and educational programs that serve to make our district an even more wonderful place to live.

Our vision for the future involves continuing to support these five annual grant recipients.

Let's Talk Policy

When Council makes significant changes to our financial policies or our Significance and Engagement Policy, we are required to let you know and give you a chance to have your say.

These policies determine how we decide to collect rates, who we rate, what we rate for, and what rate remissions we will apply. The only policy with notable changes is our Rates Remission and Postponement Policy. The other policies are subject to minor changes only.

Community housing remission removal

We have proposed to remove the remission of 50% of the Civic Amenities Charges for the Council owned Community Housing at 8-16 Kennedy Crescent.

We want our Community Housing to be self-funding and think the removal of this remission is a fairer approach to keeping the rates charged for each Unit in line with the rates applicable to any property with a dwelling. What this means in practice is that Council – as the property owner – will have more rates to pay, so in turn will require sufficient income from the tenants of Kennedy Crescent to ensure the activity pays for itself. The flipside of this is that the balance of ratepayers who pay a Civic Amenities Rate in the Urban area will no longer have to absorb the value of this remission, as the Civic Amenities charge will be spread over more properties.

New remission of rates on Māori freehold land

We are required by legislation to have a rates remission policy on Māori Freehold Land. With consideration to schedule 11 of the Local Government Act 2002 and how it supports the principles set out in the Preamble to Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, we propose to introduce a rates remission for Māori Freehold Land that meets a specified criteria. Only land whose beneficial ownership has been determined by a freehold order issued by the Māori Land Court qualifies as Māori Freehold Land, and may therefore qualify for a remission under our proposed policy.

We are aware of only a handful of properties in our District that could qualify – however this is subject to review and supporting information being made available.

It’s important to note that the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 already has provisions where certain properties are deemed to be non-rateable – which we apply by default – before then considering any remissions. We therefore expect there will be limited applications received for this remission and negligible financial implications. We will still charge targeted rates for services such as water, wastewater and waste collection where these services are provided. We will also require applications in writing on an annual basis.

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