On Wednesday 27 March, South Wairarapa District Council adopted the consultation document for the 2024-25 Enhanced Annual Plan (Enhanced AP). This follows Council’s deferral of the 2024-34 Long-Term Plan (LTP) last month in favour of an Enhanced Annual Plan.

The consultation document proposes a 15.3% total rates increase for the 2024-25 financial year. This takes into account high levels of inflation, interest and insurance costs, along with core operational investment in roading and maintaining current levels of water investment.

Acting Mayor Melissa Sadler-Futter says: “Following months of planning with both Council officers and Councillors, we have landed here after balancing the needs of South Wairarapa communities and the affordability of rates and ensuring we maintain critical operational roading and water investment. These networks remain our largest expenditure at almost half of our yearly operating costs. While we acknowledge that 15.3% is not what our communities might want to hear, we are taking steps to catch up on years of under investment across the district.  
“Next year during our Long-Term Planning, we will have more certainty on the future direction of water and be able to come to our communities with a clearer picture of what this means for us now and in the future.”

Consultation for the Enhanced AP will commence between 5 April and 5 May, and will be the opportunity for South Wairarapa communities to have their say on the proposals outlined across three decisions:

– How much should we spend on operating and maintaining our water services?
– How should we charge for water use?
– How should we pay for the replacement of our assets?

There will be community workshops and other opportunities to engage with Council throughout the consultation period, these can be found on our website swdc.govt.nz/enhanced-annual-plan. The feedback received will help councillors make their decision on the 2024-25 budget.

Key dates:

– March 27: Consultation document adopted by Council
– April 5 – May 5: Public consultation
– April 6: Greytown community workshop
– April 13: Martinborough community workshop
– April 20: Featherston community workshop
– 16 – 17 May: Hearings
– 22 May: Deliberations – this is where the final rates increase will be determined following the Hearings
– 26 June: Enhanced AP to be adopted by Council

ENDS

Media contact:
media@swdc.govt.nz or Melissa Sadler-Futter melissa.sadler-futter@swdc.govt.nz