The Christchurch City Council is proposing to spend $3.774 billion upgrading the city’s water networks and transport infrastructure over the next 10 years.

It is also proposing an average residential rates increase for 2021/22 of 4.59 per cent.

This is lower than the 5 per cent average residential rates increase proposed in the Draft Long Term Plan 2021–31 that went out for consultation in March this year.

The average rates increase for all ratepayers which is now proposed for 2021/22 is 4.85 per cent. The average rates increase for all ratepayers proposed in the Draft Long Term Plan that went out for public consultation was 5.56 per cent.

In a statement Mayor Lianne Dalziel said it was not surprising that there was a real sense that we needed to future-proof the city and district in this Long Term Plan, recognising the impacts climate change would impose. Public and active transport were supported in submissions, alongside the need to maintain investment in roads and footpaths.”

 It’s expected Council will no close the Riccarton Bus Lounges following an outcry from the public.

Other proposed changes to the Draft Long Term Plan 2021–31 consulted on include:

• Deferring a review of the Land Drainage Targeted Rate for one year to allow reconsideration and further consultation.

• An additional $11 million over 10 years for a number of climate change and environmental initiatives. This includes extending funding for Enviroschools Canterbury at $75,000 per year to allow more Christchurch schools to access this education programme.

• Increased partnerships with other organisations.

• Allocating $24,000 a year to each of the Akaroa and Lyttelton service centres to allow face-to-face customer service to continue.

• Maintaining the current opening hours at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetῡ and continuing to offer the same amount of education programmes for public and school groups.

• Continuing the mobile library service for now and undertaking targeted consultation with users to develop alternative service options. Keeping Tῡranga open on five public holidays and until 8pm on weekdays.

• Providing a lease to Wharenui Swim Club for Wharenui Pool and the stadium, and for staff to continue to work in partnership with the club to develop an operational and capital plan.

The Mayor is also recommending the Council:

• Proceeds with its proposal to charge an excess water charge for households that use significantly more water than average. This charge would apply to any household that uses more than 700 litres a day. If the decision is made to go ahead with the excess water charge, it will be implemented in stages.

• Proceeds with the overall investment level proposed in the Draft Long Term Plan of $1.445 billion over 10 years in our transport network.

• Proceeds with the overall investment of $2.3 billion proposed in the Draft Long Term Plan for upgrading and protecting our Three Waters networks, with minor adjustments.

• Proceeds with a heritage targeted rate, which will provide a clearer picture of the portion of the rates that people already pay towards specific heritage projects.

• Goes ahead with a targeted rate for the Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora to provide a $5.5 million capital grant.

• Implements a targeted rate on business properties in the central city to fund the Council’s annual grant to the Central City Business Association.

• Includes additional funding of $11.8 million in the Long Term Plan 2021–31 for the base isolation of the Robert McDougall Art Gallery.