Policies

Compare the parties’ positions on the key issues this election. Explore their policies and see how closely they align with your own views and priorities.

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Rates and revenue

The work of local government is funded mainly by property taxes in the local area, known as rates. This makes up around 60% of council expenditure, with the rest coming from user charges, investment income, regulatory fees and roading subsidies. Councils can also borrow money to spread the cost of large investments such as infrastructure over a longer period of time.

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Narrow your selection by choosing a specific area within your chosen topic. Select the policies you want to explore, pick your favourites and view your results when you’re ready.

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  • Balance rates, fees and borrowing to ensure costs of services and capital projects are financially sustainable for Council and ratepayers.

  • Ensure fair development contributions so that infrastructure costs are distributed equitably and growth pays for growth.

  • Borrow wisely to ensure the costs of major capital projects are spread over the lifetime of the assets they fund.

  • Restore financial discipline to council spending to eliminate the excessive 30% rate rises we have seen in the past three years.

  • Diligently review the current Long Term Plan to prevent the doubling of rates and council debt as planned within the next 10 years.

  • Re-introduce a reasonable flat rate charge for trailers and utes at the tip. This will reduce fly-tipping which has increased recently.

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