Environment Southland rates will increase an overall 6.9% for the upcoming financial year, but the regional council says individual rates may vary significantly due to recent QV re-valuations in the Southland District Council area.

Environment Southland councillors adopted the Annual Plan 2019/20 yesterday (May 22); the overall rates increase in the plan for the 2019/20 year is 6.9% equating to $1,172,747. 

This is less than the 7.7% increase that was forecast in the regional council's Long-term Plan. 

However, Environment Southland says individual rate amounts may vary significantly due in large part due to recent QV revaluations within the Southland District Council area.

Individual rates are determined by a number of factors, one of which is the property value.

Chairman Nicol Horrell said in setting the rates, the council had been mindful of the challenging economic climate and had worked hard to reduce the rates impact on all Southlanders.

Over the past year Environment Southland had made progress on a number of fronts, including water quality and quantity, which was the council’s biggest work priority.

In the Long-term Plan, the council signalled that it would consult this year on a new ‘improving water’ rate to fund on-ground initiatives to improve water quality. However as central government is currently looking at future funding options for local councils, aside from land-based rates, it was decided to put the consultation on hold.

“As there are no significant changes to the Long-term Plan, we won’t be consulting on this Annual Plan. However councillors are always available and interested in people’s views, so please get in touch if there’s something you’d like to discuss,” Mr Horrell said.

The Annual Plan becomes operational from July 1, 2019. Both the Annual Plan 2019/20 and an overview document are available online at www.es.govt.nz/annual-plan.