Selwyn District Council will increase rates by 14.9 per cent for the 2024/25 year.

Mayor Sam Broughton said the Council has worked hard to reduce the impact on ratepayers as much as possible, as the costs for Council to keep delivering its services rise.

“This LTP is really centred on balancing affordability with ensuring our district continues to be a great place – today and into the future.

“More than 82 per cent of our capital spending programme is being invested in essential transport and water infrastructure, and we have committed to projects that will support our community’s continued growth so that we can meet demand in the years ahead.”

“We could not have made this plan without the contributions of the more than 1,500 people who made a submission on the LTP, and we are very thankful for their input.”

Among the key decisions in the plan are a commitment to build three new Park and Ride facilities in Rolleston and Lincoln and upgrade the district’s public transport infrastructure (only if the Council receives NZTA Waka Kotahi co-funding); progress with Leeston’s new community centre and library facility, Whata Rau, with a budget of $16 million; carrying out $3.4 million of landscape improvements to Leeston Park; and building a new recreation and sports centre at Darfield with two indoor courts.