Waimakariri District Council today formally adopted the 2020 – 2021 Annual Plan which was revised following the COVID19 pandemic lockdown to keep rate increases as low as possible – from a proposed 4% down to 1.5%.

Increases will vary depending on the property, but generally speaking an average property will see an increase of approximately $45 per year or $11.25 every quarter.

Mayor Dan Gordon says this will mean the Council is in a position to ease the immediate pressure on households while still being able to play a role in the recovery of the District.

“To get to 1.5% we have taken a long, hard look at our finances and adjusted our plans, projections and assumptions for the coming years.

"We’ve heard from residents that they are looking for us to keep any increases as low as possible this year while positioning the Council to help Waimakariri recover.”

The changes to the budget has saved $2.9m in spending and also $2.2m in planned rates funding.