Wairoa’s District Council’s proposed average rate increase of 19.5% was adopted by elected members at an extraordinary Council meeting.

Council had earlier considered submissions to its 2024-2027 Long-Term Plan, and while feedback from the community was incorporated into the final plan, these decisions did not impact the average rates increase.

In setting the rates, Wairoa Mayor Craig Little acknowledged that any cost increases were challenging for the Wairoa community, particularly this year, with the unprecedented cost of living expenses, flooding, and other issues placing people under considerable pressure.

“We are doing the best we can in very difficult circumstances. Six percent of the increase is directly related to Cyclone Gabrielle recovery, and we need to ensure we are meeting our community’s immediate and future needs and aspirations in an affordable and financially sustainable way.”

Rates rises for the next two years are forecast at 15.54% in 2025/26 and 9.97% in 2026/27.

Due to the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle, the government allowed eight Councils, including Wairoa, to reduce its Long-Term Plan forecasts to three years rather than the usual 10 years to enable a focus on recovery and repair of damaged infrastructure, particularly roading. 

Mr Little explained that due to the weather events, the Council had set its rates later than usual, and the first instalment, due on September 20, will also be later.

He urged people to use the range of tools to assist with rate payments. “We encourage people to check their eligibility and apply for a rates rebate – our Council staff can help you with this. We also encourage people to set up direct payments with smaller regular payments, taking the pressure of paying a larger sum all at once.”

To apply for a rates rebate, call into the Council offices or please go to,

https://www.govt.nz/browse/housing-and-property/getting-help-with-housing/getting-a-rates-rebate/

For ratepayers who already have direct payments set up, please contact the Council to ensure you are aware of the new 2024/25 adjusted rates instalment amount.

“If you have any rates-related queries, please call into the Council or make a phone call, we really do want to be able to assist.”

As part of its Long-Term Plan process, the Council engaged with the community over key decisions.

A total of 48 submissions were made to the Long-Term Plan, along with an additional 43 submissions to the ‘No Time to Waste’ engagement, which focused on waste management preferences.

Regarding roading, feedback was that Council maintain business as usual roading activities, complete the remaining emergency works and undertake targeted safety and resilience improvements on roads across the district. 

The council’s focus on solid waste management and minimisation is supported by the community, which is in favour of the introduction of a food and garden organic waste collection. The model is expected to be in place from year 2 and the exact make-up of this improved kerbside collection model will be determined through further engagement with the community. 

Regarding the Wairoa landfill site, there is support for the Council’s waste minimisation push and only sending what is absolutely necessary to an out-of-district landfill. However, based on the additional pressure placed on the landfill cell as a result of the June 2024 flood event, the Fraser Street Landfill cell filled up more quickly than anticipated, and the Council has had no choice but to now put plans in place for a temporary solution which will include transporting waste to an out of district landfill. In line with the community’s feedback, locally based options are continuing to be developed.

The community also supported enhancing the Wairoa and North Clyde CBD areas but thought businesses should be encouraged to do this, and Council funds should be spent on public amenities.

Regarding spending money locally, the community said they understand the need for some Council goods and services spending to go to national or regional suppliers but would like to see the Council spend more of its money locally where it is feasible to do so. 

The community also clearly favoured keeping Wairoa’s archives local, with storage options to be discussed with the community. 

13 August 2024

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