Stratford District Council (SDC) has adopted its Annual Plan 2025/26 with an average rates increase of 6.9%.

Chief Executive Sven Hanne says, “After a period of significant project delivery, as well as significant cost increases across most of our operations as a result of record-high inflation, things are now starting to look a bit more settled, and this is apparent in our annual planning for 2025/26.”

“While there are still some unders and overs in the individual budgets, we’re pleased to have been able to maintain the overall rates increase for this Annual Plan at 6.9% as originally forecast in year 2 of the Long Term Plan 2024-2034,” says Sven.

The Long Term Plan 2024-34 adopted a streamlined approach to the delivery of council services, in recognition of the strained economic environment and a significant reduction in external funding available to council.

The Annual Plan 2025/26 realises that vision, with the next 12 months focused on maintaining existing infrastructure and continuing to replace assets when they come to the end of their life. “It’s about being realistic and prioritising our core service areas,” says Sven.

“Two notable exceptions from this will be the upgrade of Prospero Place, Stratford’s town square, and the extension of Council’s residential subdivision,” he says.

The Prospero Place project has been a few years in the making and is now in full flight with draft plans being share with the community this month, and work expected to begin before the end of the calendar year.

The residential subdvision is a continuation of the previous council subdivision off Pembroke Road with 2025/26 focused on preparing the site for the delivery of infrastructure, such as roading, water and wastewater.

Progressing the outcome of the Local Water Done Well reforms will also be a key area of attention for SDC staff and elected members alike. Both options being consulted on in May 2025 will require additional work across the 2025/26 year, with financial investment from the following year, 2026/27.

Outside of Local Water Done Well, SDC is awaiting the outcomes of the Resource Management Act and changes to the Building Act. These are likely to have a big influence on the way all councils operate in the regulatory space, setting a new direction for the delivery of consenting and building services.

As part of the Annual Plan adoption, minor changes were made to the Fees and Charges Schedule across building services, parking, solid waste, and sale and supply of alcohol. The full Fees & Charges schedule is available here.

Mayor Neil Volzke says, “We have a lot to be proud of here, in the Stratford district, and we want to keep that feeling alive. Elected Members will continue to work hard to maintain a balanced and realistic approach that manages the needs and wants of our community against our financial performance. Finding that sweet spot, that we believe will result in positive outcomes for the whole community, is what democracy is all about.”

The Annual Plan 2025/26 will come into effect from 1 July 2025. View the full plan online here: https://www.stratford.govt.nz/our-council/council-documents/annual-plans-and-reports

How much rates you pay can depend on a number of things like:

• The value of your property
• The services your property receives (water supply, wastewater or solid waste collection)
• How many dwellings are on the property

View our sample rates on page 14 and 15 of the Annual Plan 2025/26.

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