Selwyn District 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.
Demand proof of reliable payback without increasing rates before approving any new borrowing.
Invest first in infrastructure, then in libraries and parks if budgets allow.
Oppose rate hikes that outpace inflation and wage growth.
Balance the budget by prioritising core services, pausing lower-priority initiatives and reallocating savings to the essentials.
Boost revenue through targeted fee increases, such as facility hire and development levies, to reduce reliance on rates.
Defer non-essential projects and make spending trade-offs to limit rates increases, with deferred items reviewed for future funding.
Ease rate pressures by boosting the profile with central government to reclaim GST paid on new builds, keeping funds within the community.
Manage council investments prudently to balance risk and returns, supporting long-term financial stability.
Set fees and charges transparently, reflecting true cost recovery and community affordability.
Achieve target rates rises of under 7% by prioritising the basics first, asset protection and full review of capital and operational budgets.
Generate smarter revenue by reviewing assets, fees and charges to ensure fairness, competitive returns and explore new revenue streams.
Reframe and ringfence development contributions to directly fund infrastructure needs and ensure delivery of sustainable growth.
Conduct a full review of budgets and plans to identify and remove wasteful spending, improve efficiency and reduce future debt and rates rises.
Enforce review of development contributions and implement an expiry clause so historic cheap development contribution rates cannot be stocked up and used years later.
Push for council to more quickly improve its financial systems and processes following a poor report by Audit New Zealand, with Selwyn District Council rated two out of five.
Reduce rates once the council's financial position is fully transparent, which it is not currently.
Establish a full and correct inventory of assets as the council is currently unclear, including which assets transfer to the WSCCO.
Update many out-of-date policies, especially the development contribution policy and treasury policy, before further money is lost.
Demand proof of reliable payback without increasing rates before approving any new borrowing.
Invest first in infrastructure, then in libraries and parks if budgets allow.
Oppose rate hikes that outpace inflation and wage growth.
Balance the budget by prioritising core services, pausing lower-priority initiatives and reallocating savings to the essentials.
Boost revenue through targeted fee increases, such as facility hire and development levies, to reduce reliance on rates.
Defer non-essential projects and make spending trade-offs to limit rates increases, with deferred items reviewed for future funding.
Ease rate pressures by boosting the profile with central government to reclaim GST paid on new builds, keeping funds within the community.
Manage council investments prudently to balance risk and returns, supporting long-term financial stability.
Set fees and charges transparently, reflecting true cost recovery and community affordability.
Achieve target rates rises of under 7% by prioritising the basics first, asset protection and full review of capital and operational budgets.
Generate smarter revenue by reviewing assets, fees and charges to ensure fairness, competitive returns and explore new revenue streams.
Reframe and ringfence development contributions to directly fund infrastructure needs and ensure delivery of sustainable growth.
Conduct a full review of budgets and plans to identify and remove wasteful spending, improve efficiency and reduce future debt and rates rises.
Enforce review of development contributions and implement an expiry clause so historic cheap development contribution rates cannot be stocked up and used years later.
Push for council to more quickly improve its financial systems and processes following a poor report by Audit New Zealand, with Selwyn District Council rated two out of five.
Reduce rates once the council's financial position is fully transparent, which it is not currently.
Establish a full and correct inventory of assets as the council is currently unclear, including which assets transfer to the WSCCO.
Update many out-of-date policies, especially the development contribution policy and treasury policy, before further money is lost.
Mayor
Compare the mayoral candidates in your area
Local council
Compare the candidates for your city or district council
Regional council
Compare the candidates for your regional council
Local board
Compare the candidates for your local or community board