Environment Canterbury
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.
Advocate for limiting subsidised resource consents to keep council rates as low as possible.
Increase transparency and trust and reduce resource consenting costs by holding on-site pre-application discussions with stakeholders.
Pay down council's debt whenever there is a surplus to keep rates as low as possible over the long term.
Constantly scrutinise whether we are getting value for what is taken from ratepayers.
Create a regional resilience fund from targeted rates and Crown partnerships to co-fund priority climate adaptation infrastructure.
Implement zero-based budgeting every three years with quarterly public reviews to eliminate waste and redirect savings to core services.
Increase cost-recovery fees for resource consents with risk-based pricing while capping charges for community and volunteer projects.
Ensure all subsidies, assistance and externalities are factored into public shareholding of assets and enterprises.
Ensure responsible accounting within a circular economy that prioritises well-being where profits are retained for local, shared benefit.
Run a transparent process recognising sustainability needs and values without penalising future generations, new arrivals or students.
Advocate for limiting subsidised resource consents to keep council rates as low as possible.
Increase transparency and trust and reduce resource consenting costs by holding on-site pre-application discussions with stakeholders.
Pay down council's debt whenever there is a surplus to keep rates as low as possible over the long term.
Constantly scrutinise whether we are getting value for what is taken from ratepayers.
Create a regional resilience fund from targeted rates and Crown partnerships to co-fund priority climate adaptation infrastructure.
Implement zero-based budgeting every three years with quarterly public reviews to eliminate waste and redirect savings to core services.
Increase cost-recovery fees for resource consents with risk-based pricing while capping charges for community and volunteer projects.
Ensure all subsidies, assistance and externalities are factored into public shareholding of assets and enterprises.
Ensure responsible accounting within a circular economy that prioritises well-being where profits are retained for local, shared benefit.
Run a transparent process recognising sustainability needs and values without penalising future generations, new arrivals or students.
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