We're consulting on our draft Long-term Plan consultation document Investing in Southland Whakangao Ki Murihiku. Make a submission by 6 May.
Flooding is Southland’s most common natural hazard and the devastating consequences of the recent floods in the North Island show how people and critical infrastructure can be affected well beyond the immediate river catchment area.
It is becoming clear that to build Southland’s resilience as a community we need to look at the value our services have across the region and acknowledge that for most services, everyone benefits, whether that’s socially, environmentally, culturally and/or economically.
Therefore, the Council undertook a review of funding and our Revenue and Financing Policy and thoroughly debated how we could more equitably share the costs across the region. As a result, we are consulting on a proposed change to our rating system where everyone shares in the cost of the services that benefits all.
As required by the Local Government Act, we are consulting on the Revenue and Financing Policy Statement of Proposal, separately, but at the same time as our Long-term Plan consultation document. Submissions on both consultations will be considered and heard together. The Revenue and Financing Policy changes are about how we share the rates. The Policy is not about budgets.
Please note the Statement of Proposal for the Revenue and Financing Policy and rating review 2024 has been corrected since the documents were originally loaded to the website with the third sentence on page 9 of the proposal replaced with the following sentence:
We will be posting ratepayers with significant potential cost increases a letter about the proposal, and every mailbox in the region will receive a copy of our regular newsletter with information about the proposal.
The version of the document on the website originally indicated that every ratepayer would receive a letter but the costs of doing so are unreasonable and disproportionate.
The proposed rate increases are averages and the actual increase will be dependent on factors related to your individual property. Every property is different and there will be variations. Rate increases would be proportional to the capital value of the property.
We use the latest valuations from Quotable Value to determine individual property values. We anticipate increasing values, based on information from Quotable Value, and use an equalisation process to even out any large changes. For more detailed information there is a schedule on our rates page and a rates calculator that can give you specific information about your property.
This information is based on our proposals to invest in flood protection infrastructure and represents proposed changes to the Revenue and Financing Policy, which would change the way we rate.
The rates information in this consultation document for the 2024-2034 Long-term Plan has been calculated using the proposed new rate allocations in the Statement of Proposal and the increase in budget to cover inflation, interest, and enable investment in flood protection infrastructure.
Do you support our preferred option or do you have another view? We want to hear from you.
Click here to provide your feedback through our consultation portal.
Have you got questions about our Long-term Plan? Click here to read frequently asked questions.
Or to get in touch with us contact us on 0800 377 2837 or email us consultation@es.govt.nz