Rates affordability central to Annual Plan consultation
Selwyn District Council media release: 11th March 2026
Selwyn District Council has endorsed its Draft Annual Plan 2026/27 to go out for public consultation, with residents invited to have their say from Monday 16 March.
The Draft Annual Plan reflects strong community feedback about rates affordability following the 2025 local elections, and signals a more disciplined focus on core services as the Council prepares for significant central government reforms.
Find out more about the current 202/26 Annual Plan for the Selwyn District.
Mayor Lydia Gliddon says the decision marks an important milestone for the newly elected Council.
“This is our first Annual Plan as a new council, and it reflects what we heard clearly during the election – that rates affordability matters, and the Council must live within its means while continuing to deliver essential services,” Mayor Gliddon says.
As part of endorsing the Draft Annual Plan for consultation, the Council is seeking feedback on three weighted average rates increase of 6.5, 5.4 and 4.9 per cent for 2026/27, all significantly lower than the 13.3 per cent increase previously forecast.
Mayor Gliddon says achieving lower rating increases required careful prioritisation and difficult decisions.
“Councillors looked closely at what we do, how we do it, and where changes could be made to keep rates as affordable as we can while continuing to deliver core services and support growth,” she says. “We’ve also asked staff to continue looking for further efficiencies as we move through consultation, because we know affordability remains a real concern for many households.”
Each option involves different tradeoffs, including a stronger emphasis on user pays for fees and charges, looking at the timing or scaling back of some projects, reducing funding for certain events and community grants, reducing consultancy spends and reassessing some staff vacancies.
All references to rates increases are to the weighted average increase, meaning individual properties may see a higher or lower change depending on their rateable value, location and the services they receive.
Key investments proposed for 2026/27 include transport roading upgrades to support growth and safety, continued progress in the Lincoln town centre, replacement of the Whitecliffs Bridge, remediation of the Leeston Medical Centre, and ongoing road maintenance across the district.
The Council also agreed to remove consultation on Whata Rau as part of the plan and progress to detailed design of Leeston’s new multi-purpose community. This was based on feedback from the Community Reference Group, which has been working with the Council on the project.
The Council is proposing a capital programme of approximately $86 million, which does not include investment Selwyn Water Limited will undertake in drinking and wastewater projects. The lower capital spend reflects the timing of projects moving from design into construction, rather than a reduction in services.
Mayor Gliddon says community feedback is a critical part of the process.
“I encourage everyone to take the time to understand what Council is proposing, what it will cost, and what it means for you,” she says. “Whether you support the proposals or think we should take a different approach, we want to hear your views before any final decisions are made.”
Public consultation on the Draft Annual Plan opens on Monday 16th March 2026.