Excess water charges and a rates increase are on the cards for Christchurch residents.

Council’s draft 10-year budget will be open for public scrutiny next month when it goes out to consultation.

It includes a rate increase of 5 per cent for an average-valued house ($506,608) for the 2021/22 financial year – an increase that equates to an extra $142.25 a year or $2.74 a week.

Commercial property owners will face a rate increase of 5.91 per cent and 5.83 per cent for remote rural properties that currently pay land drainage rates.

Council also wants to introduce an excess water charge for households that use “significantly more water than the average household.”

It would apply to any household that uses on average more than 700 litres of water per day during a three-month billing period.

Property owners would pay a fixed rate of $1.35 per 1,000 litres for any water use over the limit of 63,840 litres every three months.

Exemptions may apply for unexpected water leaks – with proof the leak was repaired quickly – or for personal circumstances such as medical conditions or very large families needing extra water.

Rates will also be used to help fund The Arts Centre.

Mayor Lianne Dalziel said “while we have worked hard to find savings and to keep costs down for the ratepayers, we have chosen not to take the austerity path.”

“We do not want to slow down our economic and social recovery, nor do we want to put our services and the condition of our assets at risk by significantly reducing budgets.’’

The draft budget includes a $253 million contribution to the Canterbury Multi-Use Arena and $21.1 million of the Council’s total contribution of $151.3 million for the Metro Sports Facility.

Council also wants to reduce opening hours at city libraries and close the Riccarton Road Bus Lounge.

Public consultation on the Draft 2021-31 Long Term Plan will run from Friday 12 March to Sunday 18 April.