Selwyn Mayor Sam Broughton says the district’s rapid growth demands substantial investment in essential infrastructure and has pushed back against criticism from the Taxpayers’ Union over the Council’s financial management.

The Selwyn District Council’s 2025–26 Annual Plan outlines a 14.2% average rate increase and a $145.8 million capital programme, with more than 80% of the funding allocated to roads, water, and wastewater services.

“Every rate increase is challenging, and I understand the pressure that puts on households,” said Mayor Broughton. “But we’re not spending recklessly—we’re investing in what our community has told us matters.”

The Council says the rate increase reflects the district’s long-term needs and follows years of restrained rises, including just a 1.6% increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. Broughton noted that rate increases are expected to decline over time, averaging less than 7% over the next eight years and falling to 3.6% by 2034.

Selwyn is New Zealand’s fastest-growing district, with its population doubling over the past 14 years. The Mayor said this growth is driving up the cost of maintaining infrastructure like roads and sewer systems, now around 30% more expensive than in previous years.

Responding to calls from the Taxpayers’ Union to cap rates, Broughton argued that such measures could lead to underinvestment and higher long-term costs.

He pointed to examples in Australia, where rate caps in Victoria and New South Wales have been linked to infrastructure shortfalls, despite rate increases exceeding those in uncapped regions like South Australia.

The Mayor also renewed calls for the Government to return a portion of GST from new builds to councils, proposing that 50% of GST revenue from 1,000 new homes—estimated at $37.5 million—could help fund infrastructure required by growth, rather than shifting the burden onto existing ratepayers.

The Council received over 1,500 submissions during last year’s Long-Term Plan consultation, with strong community support for prioritising core services. Broughton said that feedback shaped the current Annual Plan, and the Council chose not to re-consult for 2025–26 to avoid unnecessary delays and costs.

“Engaging with our community is critical,” Broughton said. “But repeating consultation less than a year later, when the direction is already clear, isn’t a good use of resources.”

On water services, the Council recently decided to establish a Council-Controlled Organisation (CCO) to manage Selwyn’s drinking and wastewater services in line with the Government’s “Local Water Done Well” framework. While fewer than 1% of residents submitted on the proposal, Broughton said the model is gaining wide uptake across the country, with 69% of councils adopting it.

He said the CCO model will enhance borrowing capacity and deliver cost savings over time, compared to in-house delivery. “We’re acting now to ensure services remain reliable and affordable in the future.”