We’re keen to hear your views on our proposed annual budget for 2025/26.
While inflation is settling down, the cost of running the city is still going up. Things like roads, power, insurance, and essential services all cost more than they used to. On top of that, the Government has reduced transport funding for Palmy, meaning we have to make up the difference.
That’s why we’re staying focused on delivering the services you rely on, sticking closely to Year 2 of the Long-Term Plan, and keeping rates as low as possible.
This year, we’re proposing a total rate increase of 7.7%, which is lower than what we originally planned in the Long-Term Plan.
Check the proposed rates for your property
You can find the full details about what we’re proposing, the financial challenges we’re facing, and the programmes we’re planning to deliver in the consultation document and supporting information.
Consultation Document: Annual Budget 2025/26(PDF, 2MB)
Supporting Information: Draft Annual Budget 2025/26(PDF, 12MB)
While we are proposing a total rate increase of 7.7%, it doesn’t mean every rates bill will go up by exactly that amount.
Your rates could change depending on different factors
Updated property values
In September 2024, Quotable Value (QV) reassessed property values. Many residential properties dropped in value, but lower valuations don’t necessarily mean lower rates. We still need to fund essential services, so we’ve adjusted how rates are shared among residential, commercial, and industrial ratepayers to keep things fair.
More rates based on capital value
We’re in year two of shifting more rates to be based on capital value (land and buildings). If your capital value is high compared to your land value, your rates may increase more than average. If it’s lower, your increase might be smaller, or you may even see a decrease.
Fixed service charges
Everyone pays a fixed amount for water, wastewater, kerbside recycling and rubbish+public recycling, along with variable charges based on land and capital values.
Watch Council discussing the proposed budget
Proposed changes to fees and charges
As part of setting the city’s budget, we review fees for services where users, rather than all ratepayers, cover the cost. Some fees will increase from 1 July 2025 to keep services running smoothly.
For example, parking will rise to $2.50 an hour. Parking is an example of a user-pays charge and a large amount of parking revenue comes from people who don't live within our city.
The fees we are consulting on are for trade waste, planning, and miscellaneous services. Council approved all other fees and charges for the year ahead at its meeting on 12 February 2025.
Consultation document: Trade Waste Fees 2025/26(PDF, 215KB)
Consultation document: Planning & Miscellaneous Fees 2025/26(PDF, 271KB)
Excerpt from Council report: Fees & Charges 2025/26(PDF, 634KB)
Share your feedback with us by 4pm on Thursday 17 April
We’d love to know what you think about our proposed budget for the coming year. Do you agree with it? What matters most to you?
Fill out the online form to let us know.
Click here to view form.