Annual plan consultation topics confirmed

Council has today approved consultation topics for its proposed 2025/26 annual plan which include options for funding of the Tarawera Sewerage Scheme and options for the Rotorua Night Market.

The 2024-2034 Long-term Plan (LTP) adopted last year set the direction for the council for the next 10 years. The 2025/26 Annual Plan (the year starting 1 July 2025) is Year 2 of the LTP.

Consultation for annual plans is required only for material changes to the adopted LTP.

The proposed 2025/26 annual plan will be focused on delivery of works outlined for that year (Year 2) in the LTP with planned capital investment totalling $145m, supported by $41m of debt.

Key projects for 2025/26 include progress on the wastewater treatment plant upgrade, the stormwater master plan which attracted funding from the Government’s Infrastructure Acceleration Fund (IAF), redevelopment of the museum and the Tarawera sewerage scheme.

The proposed average rates increase for 2025/26 is 7.95%, less than the 9.8% that was indicated for that year in the LTP.

Council will adopt the finalised consultation document later this month with consultation on the proposed annual plan scheduled for April. Hearings, if needed, will be held in May, ahead of decision-making, and the plan will be adopted at the end of June.

An item related to a Rotorua Airport proposal for the annual plan was a late addition to the agenda and was discussed in confidential for commercial reasons.

View the agenda for today’s meeting at the following link on Council’s website: Agenda of Council Meeting - Wednesday, 5 March 2025

Today’s meeting was livestreamed and can be viewed at the following link on Council’s YouTube channel: Rotorua Lakes Council Meeting - 5 March 2025

View the presentation related to this matter: PowerPoint Presentation