Consultation Outcome

Thanks to everyone who got involved in our Long-Term Plan this year. We received 516 submissions, and 25 submitters asked to speak at our LTP hearing.

We formally adopted the 2025–2034 Long-Term Plan (LTP) at a meeting on 30 June. You can watch the meeting by clicking on this link.

This year we were overwhelmed by the community response, receiving 516 submissions.

We value hearing from our community. By sharing your thoughts, you’re helping shape the future of our district. Your input ensures the decisions we make reflect what’s important to the people who live, work, and play here.

Below is a summary of what you told us:

Key Question One: Should the Council Debt-fund operations in order to Smooth Rates Increases?

53.15% of respondents supported a 9.90% rates increase this year, with a higher debt balance projected for 2034.

Many people also shared concerns, with common themes including:

• A preference for lower rates increases ideally in line with inflation
• Worries that rates are already too high, and becoming unaffordable
• Opposition to increasing debt, with some suggesting better budget balancing instead
• After considering all the feedback, the Council approved a final average rates increase of 8.82%.

Key Question two: Should the Council Sell Assets to Repay Debt?

An overwhelming 90% of respondents supported selling assets to reduce debt. People shared a range of views, including:

• Support for selling surplus assets that are no longer needed
• Suggestions to take a gradual or partial approach to asset sales
• Calls for transparency about what assets are being considered and their value, along with proper community consultation before any decisions are made
• Taking the community’s feedback on board, the Council agreed to further investigate which assets could be sold to help reduce debt.

Key Question Three: Should the Council continue to Fund and Run Events?

Feedback showed the community was divided on this issue:

• 48.26% supported stopping Council funding and delivery of events
• 42.74% supported continuing events, which was also the Council’s preferred option

The key themes included:

• Calls to reduce or pause events temporarily to save money
• Recognition that events bring income, tourism, and strengthen community spirit
• For other organisations to take on or help fund events
• After considering all feedback, the Council chose to continue running events, while committing to finding savings in other areas, such as maintenance and staffing costs.
• Council also agreed to explore alternative funding models for events in the future.

What’s Next?

In the coming months, we’ll be asking for your thoughts again. This time to get your feedback on potential asset sales, and future options for waste and recycling as we work to secure a new waste contract.
Keep an eye out for updates. Your voice plays a key role in helping the Council make decisions that reflect our community’s values and priorities.

What is a Long-term Plan?

Councils are required to produce a Long-Term Plan (LTP) every three years. The LTP is a document that outlines our vision, strategic priorities, and budgets for the next ten years. It is essentially our roadmap for the future, helping to guide decisions that affect the community in areas like infrastructure, services, and development.

This year, our LTP will cover 9 years instead of the usual 10. This change is due to the Government allowing councils to delay their Long-Term Plans in 2024 because of uncertainties surrounding the Three Waters reform. As a result, our Council opted to produce an enhanced Annual Plan for that year instead.

Why is the LTP Important to You?

The LTP isn't just about numbers and strategies; it’s about shaping the future of our community. It guides important decisions on how we spend money on services that matter most to you—like roads, parks, water, and community facilities.

It also offers an opportunity for you to have your say and help influence decisions. By giving your feedback, you help ensure that the Council is focusing on the right priorities and spending money where it will benefit the entire community. Together, we can create a plan that works for everyone and meets the needs of Gore District now and in the future.

Our Journey So Far

As part of the 2024-25 Enhanced Annual Plan, The Council approved a 21.4% rate increase to address rising costs in areas like insurance, interest rates, construction, and essential materials such as chemicals. To manage costs, the Council made difficult decisions, including staff budget cuts, delaying kerbside recycling, deferring property maintenance and IT upgrades, and adjusting services. Despite these efforts, challenges remain, including underfunded depreciation, the need for aging infrastructure renewal, and rising construction and wage costs. Public feedback indicated that rate increases at this level are unsustainable, with some suggesting alternative savings strategies, such as reviewing park services or selling assets. Balancing affordable rates with the need for quality services and infrastructure remains a key challenge for the Council moving forward.

Alongside this is the issue of our aging infrastructure. We are proposing to spend $183 million in essential water, wastewater, stormwater, and roading upgrades over the next nine years. Key projects include:

• replacing aging pipes
• addressing stormwater flooding and wastewater overflows and
• upgrading water supply systems.

A focus on asset condition assessments, including CCTV inspections of the wastewater network and pavement modelling, ensures we prioritise the most critical needs. With increasing stormwater challenges due to the changing climate, a 30-year capital programme aims to enhance the network's capacity and separate combined systems to reduce flooding risks. These improvements are necessary to meet growing demands and comply with legislative requirements.

Things Out of Our Control

Several changes and challenges are beyond the Council's control. The Government has introduced the Three Waters Reform, which will reshape how water services are delivered and set new national standards. This includes options for councils to manage water services through new models. You can find out more about this on ourSouthern Water Done Well project page.

The Resource Management Act (RMA) Reform also affects the Council, as it may require combined regional plans with neighbouring councils. In transport, a funding shortfall from the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) will impact the delivery of essential roading activities, reducing service levels unless additional funds are found. Climate change is another significant challenge, with the Council developing a Climate Change Action Plan and gathering data on emissions and flood risks to help the community prepare. These factors, alongside increased pressures from climate events and legislation, will shape the future decisions the Council must make.

Let's Talk about Rates

The proposed average rates increase for this year is 9.90% This will not be the same for every rate payer. Some will pay more and some less, depending on property type and location.

Do you want to see the estimated impact on your property? Click here to use our rates example tool

Where do my rates go?

For every $100 we spend it on...

CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

2025-34 Proposed Long-term Plan Consultation Document Feedback Form

531 responses

We look forward to receiving your feedback on 2025-34 Proposed Long-term Plan Consultation Document. You have until 5:00pm Friday, 2 May, to have your say. We will acknowledge your submission in writing. We will contact submitters who wish to speak regarding their submission with the date and time of the hearing.