Mayor Phil Mauger is encouraging all residents to have their say on what the Christchurch City Council is proposing to do for the coming year.

The Draft Annual Plan 2025/26, which outlines the activities, services and capital projects the Council will deliver and how it will pay for them, is now open for public feedback until midnight on Friday 28 March.

Mayor Mauger says the Council has a strong history of tackling challenges and embracing change.

“We’ve already achieved so much as a city, and our hard work means we’re about to see some eagerly anticipated projects realised like One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha, Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre, The Court Theatre, the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor, and more.

“We’re committed to developing a modern city that meets the needs of its residents. We’ve made great progress so far, and to make sure we continue to do it successfully, we need the input of residents from all walks of life.

“We’ve always tried to strike a balance between facing today’s issues head-on and keeping an eye on the future. Last year’s Long Term Plan set out our 10-year strategy, and this year’s Annual Plan is where we fine-tune it.

“As usual, there’s a mix of proposals you can submit on, and all of them have been designed to be realistically achievable and give the best value for ratepayer money. The big question is how much do we invest now, versus how much do we invest later?

“When you’re making your submission, keep this context in mind – we really value your input, and your views can make all the difference to the final plan when we adopt it in June.”

What you need to know

The Council is proposing to spend $861 million on the day-to-day services it provides, like waste collection and libraries and on interest costs, and $736 million on the Council’s programme of capital works like the transport, water networks, our parks and reserves and community facilities such as our libraries and recreation and sports centres. This will make sure the Council can do all the work it needs to do, and deliver it in the timeframe set.

How will this affect rates?
For the average household, the Council is proposing a 7.4% rates increase, which comes to $5.64 a week. The proposed overall average for all properties, including business and rural is 7.58% which is a reduction from the 8.48% increase that was proposed in the Long Term Plan.

What does the Council want feedback on?
It would like feedback on any matters outlined in our Draft Annual Plan, including:

• Pausing the collection of the targeted rate for the Christ Church Cathedral reinstatement.

• Increasing the rates for infrastructure renewals in 2025/26, which reduces the amount needed to borrow to fund the capital programme. Doing this would make it easier for the Council to have a balanced budget in future years.

• Any opportunities to reduce or cut services, to help reduce rates.

• How the Draft Climate Resilience Fund will work, including what the fund can be used for and how long it will be held in reserve before being used.

• A proposal to grant $5 million to the Air Force Museum of New Zealand for its planned extension.

• A proposal to allocate money for a scoping study for a central city shuttle service.

How can I give feedback?
Your feedback will help shape this plan. Every Annual Plan, the Council make changes based on the feedback it receives, and this may mean adjustments to rates.

Before you make your submission, take some time to read the consultation document and think about the Council's proposed plan. Has it prioritised the right things? Has it got the balance between rates and spending right? If not, what changes would you like to see?

Visit letstalk.ccc.govt.nz/annualplan to make your submission, or pop into your nearest library or service centre and ask for a form. You can also ring the Council on (03) 941 8999, provide your details and a good time for staff to call, and one of the team will be in touch.