Kaikōura District Council keeping rates under 5 percent

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Keeping it low... the Kaikōura District Council is aiming for an average rates rise of 4.99 percent. Photo: North Canterbury News / David Hill

The Kaikōura District Council is in a strong financial position as it prepares its 2023/24 annual plan.

Mayor Craig Mackle said it remains on track for an average rates rise of 4.99 percent.

It was higher than the 1.99 percent average rise signalled in the 2021/31 Long Term Plan (LTP), but like other councils it was battling high inflation.

''We have a pretty good idea of where we are heading and with our debt levels, we are in a better position than we expected,'' Mackle said.

''We've got a bloody good team who are keeping their finger on the pulse.''

The council's debt levels were on track to end the next financial year at $7.3 million, instead of the $10 million forecast in the LTP.

Mackle said there was very little change from what was signalled in the LTP, with roading and footpaths still the priority.

The council has opted not to consult on the annual plan, but has been keeping ratepayers informed through open workshops and communications with residents, he said.

While the finances were in a good position, chief executive Will Doughty said staff recruitment continued to be a challenge.

There were outstanding vacancies for a building control manager, a building control officer and a policy planning officer.

The council was also working with the Kaikōura Mayor's Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) programme to employ a cadet to assist with the executive and communication teams, Doughty said.

''This is something that has been discussed with the MTFJ team for close to a year and so it is great to see this initiative coming to fruition.''

The council has also been assisting councils impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle and recently made a donation of $5000 to the Wairoa District Council's cyclone relief fund, he said.

''I have also reached out to [Wairoa] mayor Craig Little and chief executive Kitea Tipuna to offer support and shared learnings from a recovery perspective.''

Doughty said he had also offered to co-ordinate with other Canterbury chief executives and to run ''a lessons learned webinar'' for councils impacted by the cyclone.

The council was due to hold another open workshop on 14 June, before adopting the annual plan at its council meeting on 28 June.

Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air