We want your feedback on our draft annual budget, which outlines how your rates will be spent and how we’ll fund the essential services and projects that keep Palmy running smoothly. Have your say by 4pm, 10 April.
Have your say today
This year’s budget is about striking a careful balance - maintaining the services and infrastructure our city relies on, while limiting the impact of rate increases. We’ve reviewed our programmes, deferred some projects, taken advantage of lower borrowing costs, and found savings where possible.
Like many households, we’re also facing rising everyday costs. While interest rates have been lower than expected, electricity, gas, and other essential services continue to increase, and we’re not just powering one building, but facilities, pools, libraries, streetlights and services right across the city.
We’ve also adjusted to changes in central government funding and are preparing for the transfer of water services to the new Central Districts Water entity in 2027.
Some growth and transport projects have been rescheduled due to funding pressures. However, essential work, such as renewing water pipes and delivering key transport improvements, will continue to ensure services remain safe and reliable.
Our Long-term Plan initially proposed an 8.5% total rates increase. Through careful planning and savings, we’ve reduced this to 4.9% for you to consider.
Check out the proposed rates for your property
You can find out what programmes and projects we’re planning to deliver in the documents below.
Download the consultation document(PDF, 6MB)
Download the supporting information document(PDF, 6MB)
The proposed average residential rate is $3,635
While the Council’s total rates income is proposed to increase by 4.9%, the change in rates for individual properties will vary.
This is because we’re in the final year of a three-year transition to calculate more of a property’s rates based on its capital value (the value of the land and buildings together) and less on its land value alone.
This means some properties may see changes depending on how their valuation is made up. If your property’s capital value is significantly higher than its land value, your rates increase is likely to be higher than the average again this year. If your capital value is closer to your land value, your increase may be lower than the average.
Part of your rates are fixed charges
Some parts of your rates are set amounts that everyone pays. These include charges for water, wastewater, rubbish, and recycling.
The table below shows the proposed changes.
|
Charge 2025/26 |
Proposed Charge 2026/27 |
What this pays for
|
Uniform Annual General Charge
(UAGC) |
$300 |
$300 |
A share of the cost of all other Council services. It acts as a way of ensuring that all properties contribute a more equal share of cost rather than it all being based on the land or capital value
|
| Water |
$487 |
$479 |
The cost of providing for water
|
| Wastewater |
$397 |
$433 |
The cost of treating and discharging of wastewater |
| Kerbside Recycling |
$188 |
$1341 |
The cost of your kerbside mixed and glass recycling
|
| Rubbish and Public Recycling |
$69 |
$1282 |
General rubbish and recycling costs, including recycling drop-off stations, cleaning up illegal dumping and community education |
|
1The way budgeted resource recovery costs are split between Kerbside Recycling and Rubbish and Public Recycling has been reviewed and updated to more
correctly reflect the actual position
2As for note 1
|
Tell us your feedback by 4pm, 10 April
Click here to view form.
You can also pick up a hard copy submission form from our Customer Service Centre or one of our libraries.