Timaru District Council

Geraldine Ward
The Timaru District Council provides local services and facilities, such as public transport, rubbish and recycling, libraries, parks, and recreation facilities. It also makes decisions about building and planning, local regulations, and infrastructure, such as water supply and sewerage. The council is made up of nine councillors and the mayor. Councillors are elected to represent wards (areas in the district). One councillor will be elected from the Geraldine ward. This is a first past the post (FPP) election, so you vote by ticking the name of your preferred candidate on your ballot paper. Compare the candidates and their policies to decide who to vote for in the Timaru District Council election.

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.

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.

  • Review rates calculation, including user pays and shared cost systems; fairness is vital.

    Affirm that local taxation is needed for the basics of everyday life, eg libraries and sewers: if you want things, you must pay for them.

    Support a conservative approach to budgeting, financial management, investment, and debt.

  • Review rates calculation, including user pays and shared cost systems; fairness is vital.

    Affirm that local taxation is needed for the basics of everyday life, eg libraries and sewers: if you want things, you must pay for them.

    Support a conservative approach to budgeting, financial management, investment, and debt.