Upper Hutt City Council

Push for more government funding to reduce reliance on local ratepayers.

Enhance council investment transparency by publishing detailed reports.

Implement targeted rates to fund community projects.

Keep lower rates by prioritising essential services and reducing unnecessary spending.

Continue to advocate for ratepayers by challenging decisions proposed to ensure they are essential and not going to cost ratepayers more.

Look to other sources of funding such as sports and reevaluate user pays percentages.

Tighten the belt and cut back on spending through discipline, good communication, engagement and transparency.

Keep rate increases to the absolute minimum while still funding essential programmes.

Minimise or eliminate non-essential projects while finances are tight and review those projects when finances are healthier.

Attract businesses, diversify the economy and expand the commercial and industrial base so households do not carry the full rates burden.

Ensure rates remain affordable and sustainable as a share of average household income in Upper Hutt.

Shift expenditure to higher-value services and prioritise essentials like transport and water over nice-to-have spending.

Ensure that any infrastructure levy funds collected from developers are not used for other purposes.

Review and reduce the level of rate increases proposed for the first four years of the current LTP as it is unsustainable.

Review current council investments to confirm that they remain appropriate for the economic conditions the city is experiencing.

Follow through on the development contributions increases and review the long-term plan to ensure ratepayers are not paying disproportionately.

Maintain a balanced budget so future generations are not paying for the things needed today, pay down debt and review rates in 2026.

Question affordability on local water done well and ensure population growth pays for itself without leaving an insufficient water supply.

Develop new suburbs without costing existing residents for the supply of utilities.

Invest in new enterprises only when there is a clear payoff for the community, not only glamour for a neighbourhood.

Put solar panels on nearly every council building.

Drive the rates review that the council will undergo in 2026.

Ensure that rates are distributed fairly across residential, rural, commercial and industrial properties.

Increase revenue from developer contributions that support long-term infrastructure, environmental protection and community services.

Borrow sparingly and only to fund assets.

Increase charges based on cost recovery only.

Keep rates affordable.

Ensure rates are kept below the level of inflation and take into consideration the ratepayers' other financial obligations.

Introduce a new levy for developers building inner city mass housing to fund the infrastructure requirements.

Review fees and charges for council services to lighten the financial load on ratepayers.

Review rates to ensure fairness and transparency and investigate rating on land versus capital value.

Reprioritise council expenditure towards key infrastructure.

Reduce debt by removing items from the long term plan that are not must-haves and refocus on reducing debt.

Ensure transparent and accountable council financial management. Manage rates responsibly to keep them fair and affordable.

Plan budgets carefully to prioritise essential services and invest council funds wisely to benefit the community.

Report financial performance openly to the public. Support initiatives that deliver value for every ratepayer dollar.

Work with the new RMA act to see if any part of the 10-year plan no longer fits the purpose and can bring real rates relief.

Keep rates fair by focusing council spending on essential services like roads, water, and community facilities.

Manage council debt responsibly by avoiding wasteful projects and ensuring value for every dollar spent.

Review fees and charges regularly so they stay affordable and do not unfairly burden families or small businesses.