Council to seek feedback on draft Annual Plan 2025/26

Published on 27 March 2025

Maintaining affordable rates, while investing in key infrastructure and involving community in local decision-making, are the priorities as Whanganui District Council seeks feedback on the draft Annual Plan 2025/26.

From the afternoon of Tuesday 1 April, the council will consult with the community on its draft Annual Plan, following a commitment to an average rate rise of 2.2 percent. This is in line with the current level of inflation and includes paying off an additional $590,000 of council debt. It is also much lower than the 6.6 percent rates rise forecast as part of the Long-Term Plan 2024-2034.

Mayor Andrew Tripe says that when looking at the year ahead, council staff and councillors have worked incredibly hard to find line-by-line efficiencies and increase revenue at every level of the organisation, as well as making considered reductions in services to keep rates affordable.

“We have done this while continuing to do the basics and invest in core infrastructure, with 80 percent of our capital expenditure budget allocated to water services, roading and footpaths over the next ten years in our long-term plan.”  

In addition to infrastructure, the need to grow affordable housing stock in our district to meet current and future demand is also a top priority for the council.

“As part of our consultation we will put forward a business case to establish a housing trust, addressing the need for 1000 new houses over the next 10 years,” says Mayor Tripe.

The creation of a standalone housing entity will allow the council to find a partner and, with shared resources, enable the entity to deliver affordable housing at least cost.

“We understand that tenants may have concerns about potential changes, but we want to assure them that under the proposed standalone housing entity, they will continue to receive the same or improved conditions.”

As part of the consultation, the council will seek feedback on a new strategy for Whanganui as we think about what the future of Whanganui looks like. Based on community input and engagement, five new goals for the council have been developed; to grow, build for, protect, celebrate and activate Whanganui.

“Whanganui has enormous potential for progress, and as a council we need to position for growth and at the same time retain our identity and what we love about living here. We must play an active role in fostering this growth and improving the quality of life for our community,” says Mayor Tripe.

“We want to hear from you about whether we are on the right track in setting these goals, which will pave our way forward as a district.”

Included in the proposal is an additional $590,000 of debt repayments.

“With a lower rates rise forecast, we can take an opportunity to be financially responsible, save on interest costs and reduce rates in the long run.”

The community is encouraged to find more information on these topics and submit their feedback on the website's Have Your Say page. Submissions open on the afternoon of Monday, 1 April and close at 5.00pm on Monday, 28 April 2025.