Wellington City Council
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.
Implement a targeted rate to discourage land banking and promote new housing.
Participate in local government reforms and advocate for broadening of council revenue streams to reduce reliance on rates.
Review current trajectory of council spending and get it under control, as the council's pre-election report paints a dire picture.
Bring in a rating differential to discourage land banking and encourage development of car parks and under-utilised land in the CBD.
Consider introducing charges or other financial mechanisms to stop prominent central city buildings lying shuttered and un-used for years.
Allow increased growth of the number of dwellings from which the council receives rates.
Reduce council debt. Borrowing for operational expenditure is not prudent; a costly legacy for future generations.
Review council's investments – its property portfolio and airport share, but proceeds must be used for infrastructure not frittered away.
Improve consenting process so it's transparent, timely and officers are fully informed about our city.
Better collaboration with central government to get investment in our city that relieves the pressure on rates funding and borrowing.
Support greater use of green or sustainability bonds to help fund infrastructure, public transport and public housing.
Ensure our rating system encourages efficient land use and discourages land banking.
Invest in the priorities that will address the big issues – quality housing needs quality infrastructure.
Focus on build back better to maintain what we have and do continuous improvements, lower cost but high value work.
Ensure there is equity in funding so that all sectors of the community get a fair share of 'the pie' to meet the collective needs.
Commit to reduce rates or at the very least keep any rises below CPI. Policies need to be affordable and sensible and benefit the community.
Stop treating councils ability to borrow as "free money". Council borrowing needs to be curtailed and only used for infrastructure.
Make fees reasonable and affordable for the service provided.
Prioritise infrastructure spending over other expenditure.
Give ratepayers value for their increased investment in our city.
Implement a targeted rate to discourage land banking and promote new housing.
Participate in local government reforms and advocate for broadening of council revenue streams to reduce reliance on rates.
Review current trajectory of council spending and get it under control, as the council's pre-election report paints a dire picture.
Bring in a rating differential to discourage land banking and encourage development of car parks and under-utilised land in the CBD.
Consider introducing charges or other financial mechanisms to stop prominent central city buildings lying shuttered and un-used for years.
Allow increased growth of the number of dwellings from which the council receives rates.
Reduce council debt. Borrowing for operational expenditure is not prudent; a costly legacy for future generations.
Review council's investments – its property portfolio and airport share, but proceeds must be used for infrastructure not frittered away.
Improve consenting process so it's transparent, timely and officers are fully informed about our city.
Better collaboration with central government to get investment in our city that relieves the pressure on rates funding and borrowing.
Support greater use of green or sustainability bonds to help fund infrastructure, public transport and public housing.
Ensure our rating system encourages efficient land use and discourages land banking.
Invest in the priorities that will address the big issues – quality housing needs quality infrastructure.
Focus on build back better to maintain what we have and do continuous improvements, lower cost but high value work.
Ensure there is equity in funding so that all sectors of the community get a fair share of 'the pie' to meet the collective needs.
Commit to reduce rates or at the very least keep any rises below CPI. Policies need to be affordable and sensible and benefit the community.
Stop treating councils ability to borrow as "free money". Council borrowing needs to be curtailed and only used for infrastructure.
Make fees reasonable and affordable for the service provided.
Prioritise infrastructure spending over other expenditure.
Give ratepayers value for their increased investment in our city.
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