Environment Canterbury today adopted the 2019/20 Annual Plan, confirming a 10.5% rate increase to fund transport, freshwater and biodiversity priorities.
A number of small changes have been made since the draft plan and policies were open for engagement/ consultation, in response to feedback received during the public hearings.
Feedback on the two policies and the draft Annual Plan was generally supportive of the increased expenditure across the majority of work, and a decrease in expenditure on air quality work (due to the reduced need as community action over recent years has seen the air quality improve significantly across most airsheds).
Council prioritises transport, freshwater, biodiversity and biosecurity spending
The largest proportion of the increase is in public transport – in part due to increasing external costs to run the same service and in part to allow for there to be incremental improvements to the current service.
There is also an increase of around $4million across freshwater management and biodiversity.
Input from the community during the hearings has added to the rates increase marginally, with Council approving an overall 10.51% increase* on 2018/19 rates. 4% is for public transport - including additional funding to respond to the recent Employment Relations Act changes, the remainder is for freshwater management, biodiversity, inflation and a number of smaller work programmes across the portfolios.
This equates to an additional $33 per year for the sample $570k urban Christchurch household (vs the $25 per year proposed in the draft plan).
* this is the percentage by which the total rates revenue will increase, not the amount each individual’s rates will increase as individual rates depend upon property value and location and the mix of targeted and general rates.
Environment Canterbury today adopted the 2019/20 Annual Plan, confirming a 10.5% rate increase to fund transport, freshwater and biodiversity priorities.
A number of small changes have been made since the draft plan and policies were open for engagement/ consultation, in response to feedback received during the public hearings.
Feedback on the two policies and the draft Annual Plan was generally supportive of the increased expenditure across the majority of work, and a decrease in expenditure on air quality work (due to the reduced need as community action over recent years has seen the air quality improve significantly across most airsheds).
Council prioritises transport, freshwater, biodiversity and biosecurity spending
The largest proportion of the increase is in public transport – in part due to increasing external costs to run the same service and in part to allow for there to be incremental improvements to the current service.
There is also an increase of around $4million across freshwater management and biodiversity.
Input from the community during the hearings has added to the rates increase marginally, with Council approving an overall 10.51% increase* on 2018/19 rates. 4% is for public transport - including additional funding to respond to the recent Employment Relations Act changes, the remainder is for freshwater management, biodiversity, inflation and a number of smaller work programmes across the portfolios.
This equates to an additional $33 per year for the sample $570k urban Christchurch household (vs the $25 per year proposed in the draft plan).
* this is the percentage by which the total rates revenue will increase, not the amount each individual’s rates will increase as individual rates depend upon property value and location and the mix of targeted and general rates.
We invite you to
have your say on the Draft Annual Plan 2019/20, the Fees and Charges policy and
the Revenue and Financing Policy. The survey will be open until 19 March 2019.
You can have your say from Monday 18 February 2019. Submissions can be made online, or you can download a submission form and submit by post or drop it in to one of our offices.
Consultation closed
Annual Plan 2019/20 has finished this stage
The consultation is open until 5pm Tuesday 19 March 2019.
Under review
Annual Plan 2019/20 has finished this stage
Submissions to this consultation are under review.
Hearing
Annual Plan 2019/20 has finished this stage
Hearings will be held on Tuesday 30th April. (note this may change if more than one day is needed). If you have indicated that you would like to speak to your submission you will be invited to attend the hearing.
Final report
Annual Plan 2019/20 has finished this stage
The final outcomes of the consultation will be documented here. This may include a summary of all contributions collected as well as recommendations for future action.
Plan adoption
Annual Plan 2019/20 is currently at this stage
Environment Canterbury will adopt the final plan at the June public Council meeting.
Need help?
If you have questions about the consultation or the information in the plan or policy documents contact us on 0800 324 636.
