Are we spending on the right stuff?

With consultation now open on the Draft Annual Plan 2022/23, Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel is encouraging people to share their views on whether we have got the balance right.

The Draft Annual Plan outlines what Christchurch City Council plans to spend on projects and day-to-day services over the coming financial year and how the work will be financed.

It proposes an average rate increase across all ratepayers of 4.96 per cent, which is in line with the forecast in the Council’s 2021–31 Long Term Plan.

The bulk of the Council’s capital spending in the draft budget is on maintaining and upgrading the water supply network and the transport network including roads and footpaths, but there is also money on the books for new facilities, including Te Kaha – Canterbury Multi-Use Arena.

Grants to support the development of the Pukeko Centre (a multi-use sports and recreation hub in Parklands) and a new community-run pool facility in Edgeware are also included in the Draft Annual Plan.

Learn more about the Draft Annual Plan 2022/23.

Mayor Lianne Dalziel says putting together a budget for a growing city like Christchurch is always a balancing act.

“Keeping costs down needs to be weighed against the need to invest in our city’s infrastructure and services for future generations. We also need to weigh up climate change action, affordability and the Government reforms in the pipeline. As ever, it’s a balancing act, and we hope we’ve got this balance about right. Of course, before we can say that, we need to know what you think.

“I’m encouraging everyone to have their say on the budget, and help make sure the Draft Annual Plan 2022/23 strikes just the right balance.”

People have five weeks to give feedback on the budget, with 18 April set as the deadline for public submissions. The easiest way to make a submission is via Have Your Say.

“We will consider all the submissions we receive before we finalise the budget in June so the feedback that individuals, community groups and businesses provide in the coming weeks will influence our final decision-making,” Mayor Dalziel says.