Tasman faces 9.56 per cent rates hike

A rates hike of 9.56 per cent could be on the cards for Tasman ratepayers next year.

The proposed increase is just one part of a suite of suggestions that will be put to residents when Tasman District Council consults on its draft 2024-2034 Long Term Plan.

A 10 per cent increase for most fees and charges, commitments to build a swimming pool in Motueka, community hub investments for Brightwater, Murchison, Tapawera, and Wakefield, and a forecast doubling of council debt to $445 million by 2033/34 will also be consulted on.

The 9.56 per cent rates increase would come the year after the district saw an increase of 8.57 per cent.

Councillors were largely supportive of what was being proposed and spent just half an hour discussing the details – likely the result of spending “weeks” workshopping the potential contents of the draft plan with staff.

Councillor Chris Hill said that no elected member agreed with everything in the draft plan but thought the council had done its best to “strike a balance in really difficult times”.

Mayor Tim King said the council was proposing several investments into social infrastructure which provided a “positive place to start” discussions with the community about its priorities over the next 10 years.

“Where it ends up, I guess we’ll just wait and see.”

He added that there is a degree of uncertainty in the draft Long Term Plan, giving the example of council’s debt increase being driven by investments in three waters infrastructure which may end up being supported by the National Party’s Local Water Done Well policy.

Tim also said there were a “number of levers” the council wasn’t currently proposing to pull to use which would limit the rates increase further, such as asset sales, that residents could suggest.

“There is a lot that is potentially going to change between now and the final decisions.”

But councillor Mark Greening said the council needed to be focused on affordability for ratepayers.

“Community facilities are always nice to have and do, but I don’t believe this council is in the financial position to embark on many of these [projects] given the financial position we have found ourselves in,” he said.

“We’re digging deeper and deeper into people’s pockets… I don’t think is fair on the community.”

The draft Long Term Plan is expected to go out for consultation on 29 March 2024. Councillor Trindi Walker said community feedback on their proposal was “vital” to inform the direction of the council over the next 10 years.

“I look forward to their submissions.”