Council adopts 2022 – 2023 Annual Plan

Buller District Councillors have adopted the 2022 – 2023 Annual Plan at the ordinary council meeting on Wednesday 29 June 2022.

Total rates increase in the 2022 -2023 Annual Plan will be 9.5% compared to the planned rise of 6.3% that were indicated in the 2021–2031 Long Term Plan for the next financial year.

Mayor Jamie Cleine says: “The 3.2% higher rates increase is due to factors out of council’s control and new infrastructure projects that were not included in 2021–2031 Long Term Plan.”

These changes include higher than anticipated inflation, the increased cost of contractors and new infrastructure projects to upgrade waste and stormwater infrastructure.

Also managing the districts waste and recycling will become more expensive due to inflation, fuel prices, as well as salary costs rising.

To keep rates affordable, some of the extra costs are partly offset by the deferral of council’s property upgrades and a 25% reduction in contestable Community Grants.

Mr Cleine says: “We are very conscious of the financial impact on ratepayers of any rise in rates cost and have tried to mitigate these wherever possible.

However, to meet the physical needs of the community in providing services, and to allow for factors beyond council’s control some increase had to incur.”

Council adopted the Annual Plan consultation document on 13 April 2022 with public consultation open between 14 April and 17 May 2022. Councillors considered 76 submissions from the community and five staff submissions.

Following the hearings and deliberations in June, any changes where incorporated in the 2022-2023 Annual Plan. The 2022 – 2023 Annual Plan will come into effect from 1 July 2022.

ENDS-

For more information please contact:
Mayor Jamie Cleine
Jamie.Cleine@bdc.govt.nz