Timaru District Council

Timaru 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). six councillors will be elected from the Timaru 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.

  • Keep debt under control.

    Keep rates fair and affordable while protecting essential Timaru services and not capped – smart spending beats political gimmicks.

    Review council assets by selling what is surplus or underperforming and investing in what Timaru really needs and what matters most.

  • Advocate to the government for alternative options to rates, such as bed levies and GST sharing on new builds.

    Investigate the upcoming rates review to make rates fairer and more equitable across the district.

    Work towards a full user-pays model for consents and council charges for private benefit.

  • Create a working group with government that allows councils to do all that is needed to run a modern city with necessary support.

    Dream big projects and form partnerships with others to bring them to reality without crippling rating costs. Rate dynamically.

    Make new housing rate free in the first build year to draw developers and new homeowners to Timaru.

  • Keep debt under control.

    Keep rates fair and affordable while protecting essential Timaru services and not capped – smart spending beats political gimmicks.

    Review council assets by selling what is surplus or underperforming and investing in what Timaru really needs and what matters most.

  • Advocate to the government for alternative options to rates, such as bed levies and GST sharing on new builds.

    Investigate the upcoming rates review to make rates fairer and more equitable across the district.

    Work towards a full user-pays model for consents and council charges for private benefit.

  • Create a working group with government that allows councils to do all that is needed to run a modern city with necessary support.

    Dream big projects and form partnerships with others to bring them to reality without crippling rating costs. Rate dynamically.

    Make new housing rate free in the first build year to draw developers and new homeowners to Timaru.