Western Bay of Plenty District Council has agreed the key issues it wants community feedback on and worked through the decisions needed to shape its budget and services for the coming year.
This week, councillors considered and agreed direction on a number of matters to inform the development of Council’s draft Annual Plan 2026/27.
These included pressures on the roading network, especially following recent severe weather, how Community Boards are funded under updated representation arrangements, and volumetric water charges.
As a result, a rates increase of 8.13 per cent for existing ratepayers is proposed, with the overall average rates increase 9.13 per cent once expected growth is included. This is lower than the 9.64 per cent total rates increase planned for 2026/27 in the Long Term Plan 2024–34.
The Annual Plan outlines the work Council is proposing for the coming financial year and how it would be funded, including what has changed from the Long Term Plan, how much it would cost, and how those costs would be shared.
Mayor James Denyer said the Annual Plan process this year had been particularly challenging.
“Many households are already under significant pressure from rising costs, and Council has been very conscious of that reality as we’ve worked through the draft Annual Plan.
“At the same time, councils across the country are facing increasing costs, growing communities, and a range of new requirements from central government. Balancing those pressures while keeping rates as affordable as possible is not easy.”
He adds the draft Annual Plan reflected a careful and disciplined approach.
“It’s about focusing on essential services, being upfront about the financial picture, and asking for community feedback where there are real choices to be made.”
Some of the key items include:
- Budgeting for an additional $3.1 million for roading.
- Reducing the fixed component of rates to benefit those with low and medium value properties.
- Proposing to increase the volumetric charge for water from $1.75 to $2.01 to better align with a user pays philosophy.
- Rating for Community Boards through a split between targeted rates (paid by those in the Community Board area) and General Rates (paid by all properties) that will fund the administration costs.
- Reducing the Community Roading allocation from $904,061 to $500,000 to reflect the existing reserves that have built up for these discretionary projects.
- Proposing to spend $60,000 to install a fluoride-free tap for residents to access at the Waihī Beach Water Treatment Plant
“There are real choices with real consequences, and we want people to provide feedback when the time comes in March before decisions are finalised,” says Mayor James.
Next steps
Council will formally adopt the Consultation Document and supporting information for the draft Annual Plan on 19 March.
Community consultation will run from 20 March to 20 April 2026, with feedback opportunities including online, via Council’s Your Place Tō wāhi website, or attending a community drop-in session in each Community Board area.
Council will consider all feedback in May before adopting the final Annual Plan in June.
To read the Council agenda go here: Agenda of Council - Thursday, 26 February 2026
