Hurunui Proposes 3.3% Rates Rise, But Roading Budget Suffers

Wednesday, 30 April 2025, 4:55 pm
Article: David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

Hurunui ratepayers will be consulted on a proposed average rate rise of 3.31 percent.

The Hurunui District Council’s draft 2025/26 annual plan is out for consultation, with the council proposing to slash its roading programme in order to keep the rates rise low.

In last year’s 2024/34 Long Term Plan (LTP), the council had planned to spend $23.4m as it looked to catch up on years of under-funding on its roads, chief financial officer Jason Beck said at Tuesday’s (April 29) council meeting.

This would have required a subsidy of $12.2m from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, allowing for a 52% subsidy, and $11.2m from rates.

But the council will receive just $5.4m from NZTA from the 2024/27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP), with a further $616,000 carried over from last year, Mr Beck said.

After revising its roading budget, the council is now proposing to spend $13.5m this year, collecting $7.5m from rates.

It means the rates burden will be significantly reduced, as the council had proposed a 14.49% rate rise in the LTP.

The Hurunui district, which has a population of around 13,000, has around 900km of unsealed roads and 600km of sealed roads. It includes Amberley, Hanmer Springs and Cheviot.

The council has estimated it needs about $3 million a year to maintain and upgrade its ageing network of 286 bridges.

Four bridge replacements were included in the Long Term Plan, but the council received just $600,000 towards bridge replacement in the 2024/27 NLTP.

It is planning to replace a bridge at River Road, Waiau, in this year’s annual plan at a cost of around $1m.

Another change from last year’s LTP is a proposal to allow for more flexibility in the funding available to the Hurunui community, which includes Hawarden and Waikari.

The Hawarden Community Committee had recommended a budget of $500,000 be set aside to upgrade the Waikari Memorial Hall.

But councillor Karen Armstrong said the committee was reviewing the future of all community facilities in the Hawarden and Waikari area.

‘‘Rather than just having the funding allocated for the Waikari hall, the committee has requested it be set aside for community buildings in the Hurunui area, while the committee’s fact finding continues.’’

The $500,000 will be debt funded and subject to a targeted rate.

The Hurunui District Council’s draft 2025/26 annual plan is out for consultation until May 30, with hearings planned for June 10.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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