Your rates, your say
We’re taking a fresh look at how to fund Council services, facilities and essential infrastructure to ensure it is fair, transparent and fit for the future.
This page describes the process underway to review the Revenue and Financing Policy as part of our Long Term Plan 2027-2037. It will be updated regularly as the review progresses.
What’s a Revenue and Financing Policy? | Why is the policy being reviewed? | What will the review cover? | Consultation
What’s a Revenue and Financing Policy?
All councils must adopt a Revenue and Financing Policy. This sets out how Council pays for the services, facilities and infrastructure it provides, and who contributes towards those costs. Or in really simple terms, who pays for what and why.
The policy includes:
- Who benefits from a service and who should contribute towards its cost
- How should costs be shared between residents, businesses, developers, visitors and future generations
- What should be funded through rates
- What should be paid for by users through fees and charges
The current Revenue and Financing Policy was adopted as part of the Long Term Plan 2024-2034.
Why is the policy being reviewed?
As our district grows and changes, it's important to ensure the way Council funds services, facilities and infrastructure is fair, transparent and sustainable, and whether they continue to meet the needs of our communities now and into the future.
A wholesale review of our rating system was signalled earlier this year, when Councillors were considering the Annual Plan 2026-2027. During this process, the community provided clear feedback that the rating model was difficult to understand, and shared concerns about cost-of-living pressures, affordability, fairness and transparency.
This is part of our work to build the Long Term Plan 2027-2037.
What will the review cover?
The review will assess the current policy and the funding tools used to support the services, facilities and infrastructure our communities rely on every day.
Key focus areas include:
Funding sources
How Council applies rates (general and targeted), and the split to other funding sources such as user fees and charges.
Fairness and equity
The review will consider affordability across the district and opportunities to improve fairness and balance. This includes whether costs are allocated appropriately between ratepayers, property uses and those who directly benefit from Council activities.
Rating structure
The effectiveness of current rating categories and approaches, including the use of general, or targeted rates. It will also consider whether different types of properties should be charged different rates based on their use and value.
Transparency and simplicity
People should be able to understand what they are paying for and why. The review will explore ways to improve transparency around the cost of Council activities, make rates easier to understand and strengthen community confidence in funding decisions.
Long-term sustainability
Ensuring any proposed funding arrangements are fit-for-purpose as our district grows and evolves.
Stay up-to-date
This review is happening as part of our broader work to build the Long Term Plan 2027-2037. We’ll share regular information about progress over the next few months and expect to formally consult the community on options in March 2027. Watch this space.
Ask a question
We’ve provided an online Q&A tool below. If you have any questions, ask it here and we’ll publish an answer for everyone to see as soon as we can.
