Council confirms key decisions for 2025/26 Annual Plan
16 June 2025
Tararua District Council has finished up deliberations on its 2025/26 Annual Plan. Following community feedback and public hearings in May, elected members confirmed several important decisions that will shape local services, spending, and planning for the coming year.
Following Council's deliberation on the specifics of the Annual Plan, it is anticipated that the plan will be adopted on 25 June. This includes the planned average rates increase of 7.71% for 2025/26 and the fees and charges for the upcoming financial year.
A total of 45 submissions were received, with councillors taking the time to carefully consider each topic before confirming what will be included in the final plan.
You can watch the discussions on Annual Plan on the Council YouTube Channel – see Tararua District council extraordinary meeting 4 June 2025: https://www.youtube.com/@LandOfRanges
Footpaths: Council Invests in Renewals Without Raising Rates
Council consulted on whether to top up funding for footpath maintenance and renewals by $150,000, due to reduced NZTA support. This would have resulted in an average rates increase of 0.40%. Of the 42 submissions received on this topic, the majority (33) were against the idea of adding additional funding.
Hearing the community’s concerns during the consultation, Council has chosen to allocate $150,000 from existing depreciation reserves to carry out some renewal work on footpaths, focusing on safety and high-priority areas. This approach means essential maintenance work can still go ahead — without adding pressure to this year’s rates increase.
While some submitters supported lifting the level of service, others wanted footpath costs to be kept low, especially for rural ratepayers who may not directly benefit. Using reserves provides a short-term solution while avoiding an increase to everyone’s rates bill.
Waisplash Carpark: Council Keeps Future Options Open
Council also asked the community for feedback on a proposal to help solve long-standing parking and safety issues at the Waisplash Community Aquatic Centre in Dannevirke. This would involve buying land at York Street to allow space for a future carpark extension.
Public support for the idea was strong — 31 submissions supported extending the carpark, and 28 supported Council buying the land. 8 submitters opposed the proposal, and 7 submitters felt more info was needed.
Council agreed to start investigating the purchase of the York Street property. After due diligence and other preparatory work is done, Council will decide on the purchase of this property.
Additionally, if the land is purchased but the carpark doesn’t go ahead, Council can still sell the site (but if someone else buys it first, the opportunity for future development at that location will be permanently lost). If Council buys land for the carpark, it will use the General-Purpose Fund. This fund can be used for various needs without affecting rates or adding costs for ratepayers.
Dannevirke Information Centre: Lessons Learned on Engagement
The Dannevirke Information Centre will relocate to the Council service centre on 30 June 2025, following a decision by the Incorporated Society that runs it to cease operations.
Following a clear message from ratepayers to save money and find efficiencies, one of the steps taken by Council was to stop the annual grant to the Incorporated Society. A few submissions to the Annual Plan raised concern about the lack of clear engagement on this change.
A petition with over 400 signatures from residents and people outside the district was also received, showing a clear interest in this topic. No changes were made to the funding decision, but Council committed to improving how it engages with the community on future service changes.
Uniform Annual General Charge (UAGC): No Change This Year
Council also reviewed the UAGC – the fixed portion of rates that every property pays equally. It currently makes up 35% of general rates. Some feedback questioned whether it’s fair for multi-use properties (like flats, home businesses, or Airbnbs) to only pay one UAGC charge.
Council noted that changes in this area are complex, involve legal considerations, and would need to be worked through as part of a full review of the rating system. That process will happen during the development of the next Long-Term Plan.
The UAGC will remain at 35% for the 2025/26 year.
Thinking of Running for Council?
These decisions give a real glimpse into the kind of issues councillors work through — weighing up public feedback, financial impacts, and the long-term needs of the district.
If you’re considering standing in the 2025 local elections this October, following the Annual Plan process is a great way to learn what the job is really about.
The final Annual Plan will be updated to reflect these decisions and adopted later in June.
