Submissions will open on 1 March for feedback on a proposed increase to the Stewart Island Visitor Levy. 

Southland District Council (SDC) are seeking community views on their proposal to increase the Stewart Island/Rakiura visitor levy from the current $5 per visitor to $15.

The Empowering Act adopted by Parliament in 2012 enables SDC to set and collect levies from passengers travelling to Stewart Island/Rakiura, to help fund services, facilities, and amenities for visitors while they are on the island.

Since the levy became operative in October 2013 the levy has remained at $5 per visitor. 

The levy is not collected from residents, visitors under 18 years old and in some other circumstances.

Since then, more than $1.2 million has been collected and just over $1 million has been allocated for a wide range of infrastructure improvements, operational costs and other island projects.

The bylaw and policy were last reviewed in 2018/2019, when SDC endorsed keeping the levy at $5 until a strategic review of service delivery to Stewart Island/Rakiura was completed. 

As a result of the review, it has been projected that the current visitor levy is unlikely to be sufficient to fund the future cost of visitor-related activities. 

SDC say they are proposing a levy amount of $15 to ensure visitors contribute a reasonable amount towards these costs and to alleviate the rates burden of these costs on ratepayers.

Public feedback on the proposed increase is being sought before a decision is made.

The submission period runs from 8am on 1 March 2022 until 5pm 1 April 2022.

Information about the proposed changes and how to make a submission can be found online from 1 March 2022 at www.makeitstick.nz/visitorlevy