Council decisions impact Annual Plan 2026/27 rates

The Buller District Council made decisions last week impacting the forecast 9.05% rates rise outlined for 2026/27 in the 2025-2034 Long-Term Plan.

At a meeting on Wednesday, council decided not to set aside approximately $1.3 million for future roading requirements, but to stick with the current process which is to borrow funds whenever that infrastructure (roads, bridges, and pavements) needs work.

Putting reserves in place for future roading requirements were recommendations applicable to all councils from the Office of the Auditor General and in the Local Government Act 2002.

Ms Crichton says: “This decision has a significant impact on the proposed rates increase for 2026/27, bringing it down significantly from what was decided in the 2025-2034 Long-Term Plan. Staff are still finalising the actual amount of the reduction.”

Councillors also approved the purchase of a new budgeting and reporting tool to replace the current financial modelling system.

Group Manager Corporate Services Lesley Crichton says: “The new system will enable managers to input budgets directly, so the data does not need to be double-handled. This will reduce the risk of errors and omissions.

“We will also be able to compare financial years, apply changes automatically, calculate projects, capital and operating expenditure, and revenues within the same software; and produce rate projections quickly.

“This system will be a much-needed step forward for council to calculate budgets and rates for the Long-Term Plan, Annual Plan, Annual Report, and monthly accounts.”

The software purchase is expected to be $103,036, with ongoing annual licensing costs of $96,000. Including this in the Draft Annual Plan 2026/27 budget equates to a 0.44% rate increase in 2026/27.

Council will adopt the Draft Annual Plan 2026/27 on 1 April, which will include the finalised budget and proposed rates increase. Consultation on the Annual Plan 2026/27 will open on Tuesday, 7 April and close on Tuesday, 5 May 2026.

-ENDS-

For further information, please contact:
Community Engagement Team
Buller District Council
Media.Enquiries@bdc.govt.nz 

Disclaimer
The information in this media release was correct at the time of publication. Changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information.