Council adopts Draft Annual Plan for consultation

Council has adopted its Draft Annual Plan and Consultation Document for 2023/2024, at the extraordinary meeting held recently.

The main consultation issue is the proposed introduction of a green waste charge. Currently Council is disposing of green waste into the cells at McLean’s Pit Landfill, which incurs carbon credit and waste levy charges. Historically it has been free to dispose of green waste at Council’s solid waste facilities. However, this has meant that the cost has been covered by ratepayers and other users.

So that only users of the service will pay, Council has proposed introducing a green waste fee of $160 per tonne (GST exclusive). This is made up of a processing fee of $100 per tonne and a further fee of $60 per tonne to cover carbon credit and waste levies.

Mayor Tania Gibson said “The Draft Annual Plan proposes an average rate rise of 5.63%. The Council is happy with the result and noted that it is a very good outcome given that inflation is running significantly higher. The proposed rates rise is also lower than the forecast in the Long Term Plan of 6%, so this is lower than expected. We still face ongoing significant financial challenges with price increases impacting Council across all services.”

“Council staff have worked hard to reprioritise projects and be realistic in program delivery. We are very conscious of the impact this increase will have on our ratepayers and are pleased to have kept it as low as possible.”

Council will also consult on changes to Fees and Charges relating to the Resource Management Act 1991.

A period of public consultation will open on the 18th of April and close on the 18th of May. The consultation period will give the community an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed changes.

Council encourages the community to take the opportunity to read the Draft Annual Plan 2023/2024 and Consultation document to understand Council’s view, and to have their say about what happens in the district.

Information on how to make a submission will be available in the Consultation document and further information will be available on Council’s website and Facebook page once consultation opens.

Grey District Council

Contact: Megan Bourke

03 769 8600 / GDC_communications@greydc.govt.nz