Waimakariri District Council has landed on a 4.99 percent average rates increase as it looks to balance rapid district growth with affordability for ratepayers.

The increase is included in the council’s Annual Plan, which is expected to be formally adopted at its meeting on 16 June.

It follows a community consultation process that attracted 59 submissions, containing 203 submission points, along with 114 responses on key consultation topics. Hearings were held on 6 May, with 25 submitters speaking to councillors.

The council said the Annual Plan reflects its commitment to financial responsibility, while also responding to the Government’s direction for councils to focus on quality local infrastructure, core services and responsible rates increases.

Council had initially consulted on a proposed average rates increase of 4.91 percent. After deliberations, the final figure was set at 4.99 per cent.

The increase includes Three Waters costs. Excluding Three Waters, the average general rates increase for most ratepayers across the district is about 2.9 percent.

Mayor Dan Gordon said he was pleased with the process council had gone through following public feedback and hearings.

“Our priority is investing where there is the greatest value for our ratepayers. We won’t compromise on the safety and wellbeing of our residents, and we won’t compromise on the level of service our communities expect from us,” Gordon said.

“At the same time, we are making the tough decisions to defer non-urgent projects where appropriate, and we have worked hard to identify savings wherever possible.”

The Annual Plan stays closely aligned with what had been signalled for year three of the Long Term Plan, but council said it had carefully reviewed spending and prioritised affordability.

That included scaling back the capital programme to what it considered a realistic, achievable and sustainable level, while still maintaining core services.

Feedback from residents covered a wide range of issues, including possible changes to local government, Local Water Done Well, the future structure of Three Waters services, the proposed capital programme for 2026/27, transport funding pressures, and the impact of increased asset values on depreciation and insurance costs.

Submitters also raised rates remissions for secondary dwellings, minor amendments to the Development Contributions Policy, and revised costings for the Rangiora Eastern Link.

The Rangiora Eastern Link continued to receive strong community support, with residents recognising its importance in reducing traffic congestion and supporting future growth, despite increased construction cost estimates.

Since consultation opened, the project has taken a major step forward, with the New Zealand Transport Agency confirming co-funding for property acquisition and detailed design.

Detailed design and property acquisition are expected to cost $8.8m, with NZTA contributing $4.5m, or 51 percent. The balance will be funded through rates and development contributions.

Council also confirmed its preferred approach for Local Water Done Well would be to establish a stand-alone in-house business unit, while continuing to investigate opportunities for collaboration with neighbouring councils.

The council said the approach largely reflected the current model while ensuring compliance with new Government legislation.

Transport projects were also reprioritised in response to a $13.5m NZTA co-funding shortfall over three years. Council said the projects that would progress remained focused on public safety, resilience and essential infrastructure needs.

Gordon thanked Chief Executive Jeff Millward and council staff for their work, and acknowledged the feedback received from residents.

“Planning carefully for growth remains a key focus for Council, and it was encouraging to see from the feedback we received that residents believe we are doing a good job of that,” he said.

The council said overall feedback showed strong support for the direction it was taking, particularly its focus on balancing affordability with investment in critical infrastructure and growth planning.