First look at next year’s tariffs: News Feed

Christchurch City Council’s final briefing on its 2025/26 annual plan is currently underway.

Councilors today are given a financial overview of the Council, as well as an overview of what is proposed for the Transportation, Parks and Three Waters divisions. The briefing will then appear online.

The Long Term Plan 2024-2034 envisaged an increase of 8.48% for 2025-2026.

“If we make no changes to what was agreed in last year’s long-term plan and take into account the rate of inflation forecast by Business and Economic Research, we would see an overall increase of 9.76% in average rates,” says Bede Curran, head of Council. Financial officer.

“This is our starting position. At these briefings we discuss how best to reduce this figure and do everything possible to reduce it – and we will continue in this spirit until the final annual plan is adopted in June next year.

“Staff are proposing changes to our capital expenditure to make it achievable to keep rates as low as possible. Proposed capital expenditure for 2025/26 is currently $737.2 million, $4.9 million below budget.

“Council management is reviewing our operating costs this week and staff continue to consider options to mitigate all rate increases.

“All these figures are only preliminary at this stage and it is an ongoing process. People will be able to follow all this through our public briefings and they will be able to have their full say in March next year when our draft annual plan goes out for debate.”

Projects discussed at today’s briefing include the installation of bus lanes on Lincoln Road, improvements to Bromley roads and Alternative options for the main Wheels to Wings cycle route – Papanui ki Waivitu.

The next briefing is scheduled for Tuesday 29 October and will focus on Council finance and transport.