The Southland District Council is asking ratepayers to consider a 10.15% rates increase to help pay for more road rehabilitations and bridge renewals.  

The council today (Wednesday March 10) adopted its Long Term Plan 2021-2031 consultation document, “It’s time, Southland/Murihiku”.

It proposes the rates rise to rebuild more sealed roads and replace 161 old wooden bridges scheduled to reach the end of their useful lives in the next 10 years. 

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The council is also facing a raft of increased external costs from the government’s three waters reforms, higher environmental and regulatory requirements, a change in its environmental monitoring role, climate change and inflation. 

Chief executive Cameron McIntosh says the council has “reached the end of the road” in terms of its ageing infrastructure. 

“For many years Southland District Council has taken the approach of keeping rates as low as possible for its ratepayers by sweating the assets – that is, getting the most life possible out of our assets, including roads, bridges, water pipes and community facilities, with the lowest appropriate level of investment in renewals. There have also been legislative and statutory changes which are creating additional costs, and these have to be met. 

“We do not have the luxury of leaving the problem for future councils or generations to deal with,’’ Mr McIntosh says. “The problem needs to be addressed, and we need to make a start now.” 

He acknowledges that with more than $2 billion in assets to operate and maintain, and only a small base of 20,500 ratepayers, Council is asking ratepayers to help it make difficult choices. 

“For that reason, Council staff have worked hard on this document to minimise the rates impact. The preferred option of 10.15% would enable us to maintain current levels of service and meet our current legislative requirements.” 

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The formal consultation period starts at 9am on Friday 12 March 2021 and ends at 5pm on Wednesday 14 April. 

The consultation document will be delivered to ratepayers’ mailboxes, and copies will be available in Southland District Council area offices, as well as online HERE