Draft Annual Plan 2026-2027

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Submissions on the draft Annual Plan 2026-2027 are now closed.

We’re now in Year 3 of our 2024-2034 Long-term Plan (LTP), which was adopted in October 2024 after a lot of community input. The LTP sets our direction, budget and work for the next decade.

The Draft Annual Plan reviews our budgets against what was set out in the LTP and makes adjustments based on what we propose to do in the 2026-2027 financial year.


Get informed | Summary of what's changed | Rates impact | How to make a submission


Get informed

This web page provides info, links and resources to help you make an informed submission.

Submissions can be made on any aspect of the draft Annual Plan. Highlighted consultation topics include:

  • Topic 1: Proposed changes to user fees and charges
  • Topic 2: Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board priority projects
  • Topic 3: Our progress to develop the long term plan 2027-2037

Use the Document Library section on the right hand side of this page to download the consultation document and full Draft Annual Plan supporting document. We've also split out some other key information to make it easy to access.

The consultation document will also be distributed via email to a range of groups, and in hard copy to Council offices, libraries and recreation centres across the district.

Draft Annual Plan 2026-2027 drop-in sessions

Sessions were held on:

  • Wednesday 1 April, 11.00am–2.00pm, Arrowtown Tennis Club Rooms

  • Thursday 2 April, 11.00am–2.00pm, Queenstown Events Centre

  • Tuesday 7 April, 11.00am–2.00pm, Lake Wānaka Centre

  • Thursday 16 April, 3.30pm - 6.30pm, outside Queenstown PAK'n'SAVE supermarket

Submissions closed on 24 April 2026.


Summary of what's changed

The consultation document also outlines some changes to what was originally proposed for year 3 of the Long Term Plan 2024-2034. In summary:

The capital investment programme contained within the Annual Plan 2026-2027 is $205.8M.
This is a reduction of $8.8M from the year 3 budget in the LTP 2024-2034 ($214.6M). Of this, 54% or $110.3M of the budget is allocated to investment in Three Waters across the district. This is the last year we will be including Three Waters in the QLDC budget.

Operating expenditure for 2026-2027 is forecast to be $291M.
While considering budgets for 2026-2027, there has been several operational savings made. This includes limiting new staff roles to those considered business critical and reducing the professional services budget. It also factors in additional revenue achieved through filling previously vacant positions, enabling greater efficiencies and improved service delivery.

Key performance indicator update
We've identified a better way to measuring participation in sport and recreation across the district.

Changes to Arrowtown Promotion Levy
Recently the Arrowtown Promotion and Business Association passed a formal motion to adjust the total annual levy for 2026-2027. This authorises an increase in the collective membership levy, collected by QLDC from Arrowtown Commercial Ratepayers to a total of $405,706. This is 95% funded by the Arrowtown Tourism Promotion Rate and 5% by the Uniform Annual General Charge.

Changes to Development Contributions
We'll be reviewing the Development Contributions Policy in full as part of the Long Term Plan 2027-2037. In the meantime, the Local Government Act allows for annual adjustments to be made. Read more about the changes below.

>> Table of changes to Development Contributions Policy for 2026-2027


Rates impact

Council has reviewed the total funding requirements for the year - including operating and capital expenditure, debt servicing, and reserve contributions. Following this review, Council has set a rates revenue target of $202.9m.

The proposed average rates increase for 2026-2027 is 11.7%, after allowing for 3.5% growth. This increase is in line with the forecast rates increase for Year 3 of the LTP.

It wasn’t easy to get to this point, with significant work required to reduce this figure from 19% and ensure it remained aligned with our original projection. We achieved this through:

  • Carefully considering every project planned for 2026-2027.
  • Extending the payback period of the loan required to cover weather tightness claims, reducing the repayment from $8M to $5M in 2026-2027.
  • Using income from the transport improvement fund which is made up of paid parking and infringements. This further reduces the budget by $3.1M for 2026-2027.
  • Finding operational savings, such as limiting new staff roles for 2026-2027 and reducing the professional services budget.

Remember, 11.7% is an average figure. The actual increase for your property may be different depending on where you live, the type of property you own and which services you access.

In particular, we’d like to highlight higher proposed increases for those living in the small communities of Luggate, Hāwea, Kingston and Cardrona, due to required investment in essential water and wastewater infrastructure. Currently the cost to construct and service small community water schemes are generally funded by the communities they serve. Work is underway to consider further options which might spread the cost to improve the affordability of funding these schemes.

We've provided some more detailed information about the rates rises in Luggate, Hāwea, Kingston and Cardrona below. We've also provided rates table showing indicative rates movements for 2026-2027 below. And if you'd like to read about the numbers in a lot more detail, go to section 3 of the draft Annual Plan supporting document.

>> Rates table: summary of indicative total rate movements 2026-2027

>> Luggate rates increases: frequently asked questions

>> Lake Hāwea rates increases: frequently asked questions

>> Cardrona rates increases: fact sheet

>> Kingston rates: fact sheet


Submission process

Submissions closed at 11.59pm on 24 April 2026.

Any submission received after this date is considered a ‘late submission’. These will be collated separately but not analysed. Late submissions are provided to Councillors to consider at their discretion.

If you wish to contact us, or make a late submission over the weekend, please email letstalk@qldc.govt.nz


What happens next?

Submissions will be collated and analysed, then presented to Councillors to consider. Submission hearings are scheduled for 14 and 15 May, with deliberations happening the next day, on 15 May. Councillors will be presented a final Annual Plan to consider at its meeting on 25 June 2026.


Submissions on the draft Annual Plan 2026-2027 are now closed.

We’re now in Year 3 of our 2024-2034 Long-term Plan (LTP), which was adopted in October 2024 after a lot of community input. The LTP sets our direction, budget and work for the next decade.

The Draft Annual Plan reviews our budgets against what was set out in the LTP and makes adjustments based on what we propose to do in the 2026-2027 financial year.


Get informed | Summary of what's changed | Rates impact | How to make a submission


Get informed

This web page provides info, links and resources to help you make an informed submission.

Submissions can be made on any aspect of the draft Annual Plan. Highlighted consultation topics include:

  • Topic 1: Proposed changes to user fees and charges
  • Topic 2: Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board priority projects
  • Topic 3: Our progress to develop the long term plan 2027-2037

Use the Document Library section on the right hand side of this page to download the consultation document and full Draft Annual Plan supporting document. We've also split out some other key information to make it easy to access.

The consultation document will also be distributed via email to a range of groups, and in hard copy to Council offices, libraries and recreation centres across the district.

Draft Annual Plan 2026-2027 drop-in sessions

Sessions were held on:

  • Wednesday 1 April, 11.00am–2.00pm, Arrowtown Tennis Club Rooms

  • Thursday 2 April, 11.00am–2.00pm, Queenstown Events Centre

  • Tuesday 7 April, 11.00am–2.00pm, Lake Wānaka Centre

  • Thursday 16 April, 3.30pm - 6.30pm, outside Queenstown PAK'n'SAVE supermarket

Submissions closed on 24 April 2026.


Summary of what's changed

The consultation document also outlines some changes to what was originally proposed for year 3 of the Long Term Plan 2024-2034. In summary:

The capital investment programme contained within the Annual Plan 2026-2027 is $205.8M.
This is a reduction of $8.8M from the year 3 budget in the LTP 2024-2034 ($214.6M). Of this, 54% or $110.3M of the budget is allocated to investment in Three Waters across the district. This is the last year we will be including Three Waters in the QLDC budget.

Operating expenditure for 2026-2027 is forecast to be $291M.
While considering budgets for 2026-2027, there has been several operational savings made. This includes limiting new staff roles to those considered business critical and reducing the professional services budget. It also factors in additional revenue achieved through filling previously vacant positions, enabling greater efficiencies and improved service delivery.

Key performance indicator update
We've identified a better way to measuring participation in sport and recreation across the district.

Changes to Arrowtown Promotion Levy
Recently the Arrowtown Promotion and Business Association passed a formal motion to adjust the total annual levy for 2026-2027. This authorises an increase in the collective membership levy, collected by QLDC from Arrowtown Commercial Ratepayers to a total of $405,706. This is 95% funded by the Arrowtown Tourism Promotion Rate and 5% by the Uniform Annual General Charge.

Changes to Development Contributions
We'll be reviewing the Development Contributions Policy in full as part of the Long Term Plan 2027-2037. In the meantime, the Local Government Act allows for annual adjustments to be made. Read more about the changes below.

>> Table of changes to Development Contributions Policy for 2026-2027


Rates impact

Council has reviewed the total funding requirements for the year - including operating and capital expenditure, debt servicing, and reserve contributions. Following this review, Council has set a rates revenue target of $202.9m.

The proposed average rates increase for 2026-2027 is 11.7%, after allowing for 3.5% growth. This increase is in line with the forecast rates increase for Year 3 of the LTP.

It wasn’t easy to get to this point, with significant work required to reduce this figure from 19% and ensure it remained aligned with our original projection. We achieved this through:

  • Carefully considering every project planned for 2026-2027.
  • Extending the payback period of the loan required to cover weather tightness claims, reducing the repayment from $8M to $5M in 2026-2027.
  • Using income from the transport improvement fund which is made up of paid parking and infringements. This further reduces the budget by $3.1M for 2026-2027.
  • Finding operational savings, such as limiting new staff roles for 2026-2027 and reducing the professional services budget.

Remember, 11.7% is an average figure. The actual increase for your property may be different depending on where you live, the type of property you own and which services you access.

In particular, we’d like to highlight higher proposed increases for those living in the small communities of Luggate, Hāwea, Kingston and Cardrona, due to required investment in essential water and wastewater infrastructure. Currently the cost to construct and service small community water schemes are generally funded by the communities they serve. Work is underway to consider further options which might spread the cost to improve the affordability of funding these schemes.

We've provided some more detailed information about the rates rises in Luggate, Hāwea, Kingston and Cardrona below. We've also provided rates table showing indicative rates movements for 2026-2027 below. And if you'd like to read about the numbers in a lot more detail, go to section 3 of the draft Annual Plan supporting document.

>> Rates table: summary of indicative total rate movements 2026-2027

>> Luggate rates increases: frequently asked questions

>> Lake Hāwea rates increases: frequently asked questions

>> Cardrona rates increases: fact sheet

>> Kingston rates: fact sheet


Submission process

Submissions closed at 11.59pm on 24 April 2026.

Any submission received after this date is considered a ‘late submission’. These will be collated separately but not analysed. Late submissions are provided to Councillors to consider at their discretion.

If you wish to contact us, or make a late submission over the weekend, please email letstalk@qldc.govt.nz


What happens next?

Submissions will be collated and analysed, then presented to Councillors to consider. Submission hearings are scheduled for 14 and 15 May, with deliberations happening the next day, on 15 May. Councillors will be presented a final Annual Plan to consider at its meeting on 25 June 2026.

Ask a question about the draft Annual Plan

Do you have a question about the draft Annual Plan 2026-2027?  Ask it here and we'll publish the answer for everyone to see as soon as possible.  

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  • Share Operating expenditure ;Can the council provide evidence that these savings will not negatively impact frontline services to residents? on Facebook Share Operating expenditure ;Can the council provide evidence that these savings will not negatively impact frontline services to residents? on Twitter Share Operating expenditure ;Can the council provide evidence that these savings will not negatively impact frontline services to residents? on Linkedin Email Operating expenditure ;Can the council provide evidence that these savings will not negatively impact frontline services to residents? link

    Operating expenditure ;Can the council provide evidence that these savings will not negatively impact frontline services to residents?

    Njeri asked 24 days ago

    All proposed savings have been assessed to ensure they do not negatively impact frontline services to residents. The savings focus on efficiencies and non‑essential expenditure rather than reductions to core service delivery.

  • Share Hello, is it correct that there is a planned significant rates increase of 50-80% for short term rental properties in this area ( purpose built STR property complex in Albert Town)? What would that achieve and for whom? What would be the repercussions? Example more people will possibly break the rules and rent long term instead? Accommodation prices will need to increase. Will it still be affordable for quests or owners, possibly creating a reduction in accommodation options for tourists? This helps who? Keen to learn more. Thanks Kirsty on Facebook Share Hello, is it correct that there is a planned significant rates increase of 50-80% for short term rental properties in this area ( purpose built STR property complex in Albert Town)? What would that achieve and for whom? What would be the repercussions? Example more people will possibly break the rules and rent long term instead? Accommodation prices will need to increase. Will it still be affordable for quests or owners, possibly creating a reduction in accommodation options for tourists? This helps who? Keen to learn more. Thanks Kirsty on Twitter Share Hello, is it correct that there is a planned significant rates increase of 50-80% for short term rental properties in this area ( purpose built STR property complex in Albert Town)? What would that achieve and for whom? What would be the repercussions? Example more people will possibly break the rules and rent long term instead? Accommodation prices will need to increase. Will it still be affordable for quests or owners, possibly creating a reduction in accommodation options for tourists? This helps who? Keen to learn more. Thanks Kirsty on Linkedin Email Hello, is it correct that there is a planned significant rates increase of 50-80% for short term rental properties in this area ( purpose built STR property complex in Albert Town)? What would that achieve and for whom? What would be the repercussions? Example more people will possibly break the rules and rent long term instead? Accommodation prices will need to increase. Will it still be affordable for quests or owners, possibly creating a reduction in accommodation options for tourists? This helps who? Keen to learn more. Thanks Kirsty link

    Hello, is it correct that there is a planned significant rates increase of 50-80% for short term rental properties in this area ( purpose built STR property complex in Albert Town)? What would that achieve and for whom? What would be the repercussions? Example more people will possibly break the rules and rent long term instead? Accommodation prices will need to increase. Will it still be affordable for quests or owners, possibly creating a reduction in accommodation options for tourists? This helps who? Keen to learn more. Thanks Kirsty

    Rookies Retreat asked 28 days ago

    While we are unable to verify the origin of the 50–80% figure you mentioned, we would be happy to review any specific documentation you have.

    Based on our Annual Plan (AP) rates modelling, we have average increase for visitor & mixed use accommodation properties in Albert Town typically falls within the range of 10% to 12.6%.

  • Share Is funding for upgrading the Skipper Rd Suspension Bridge included within the 2026/27 Draft Annual Plan? And what is the expected timetable for this work to be done for reopening this bridge? on Facebook Share Is funding for upgrading the Skipper Rd Suspension Bridge included within the 2026/27 Draft Annual Plan? And what is the expected timetable for this work to be done for reopening this bridge? on Twitter Share Is funding for upgrading the Skipper Rd Suspension Bridge included within the 2026/27 Draft Annual Plan? And what is the expected timetable for this work to be done for reopening this bridge? on Linkedin Email Is funding for upgrading the Skipper Rd Suspension Bridge included within the 2026/27 Draft Annual Plan? And what is the expected timetable for this work to be done for reopening this bridge? link

    Is funding for upgrading the Skipper Rd Suspension Bridge included within the 2026/27 Draft Annual Plan? And what is the expected timetable for this work to be done for reopening this bridge?

    Graeme H asked about 2 months ago

    Kia ora Graeme, 

    Thanks for your question.   There is some budget allowed to support the development of potential options for the future of Skippers Bridge in the 26-27 year.  Recommendations are expected to be reported back to Councillors in due course.   Any budget allocated to a specific option would be considered as part of the Long Term Plan 2027-2037 process.  

    Kā mihi

    Rebecca  

Page last updated: 30 Apr 2026, 10:47 AM