Gore District Council adopts Annual Plan

The Gore District Council has adopted its 2026/27 Annual Plan, confirming the services, projects and budget that will guide Council's work over the next 12 months.

Gore District Mayor Ben Bell said preparing the Annual Plan had required significant work from councillors and staff, with a strong focus on balancing affordability with the rising costs of delivering local government services.

“Rising costs have put real pressure on what can be delivered and at what price. I am proud that Councillors approached the process with a genuine desire to reduce the impacts of costs, while maintaining our commitment to financial sustainability.

“By deferring some property maintenance and reducing depreciation funding in areas, Council was able to adopt a final average increase of 10.83%, below the 11.87% forecast in the 2025–34 Long Term Plan.”

Mayor Bell said the plan balances investment in essential infrastructure and services with the financial pressures facing households and businesses.

"We know many people are feeling the impact of the cost of living, so we have tried to focus on what matters while continuing to meet our responsibilities and replenish our aging infrastructure."

Chief Executive Debbie Lascelles said the increase reflects the financial strategy adopted through the 2025–34 Long Term Plan, where the community supported debt funding to smooth rates increases over three years rather than facing a larger rise in a single year.

"This year's increase is part of that approach and helps reduce the level of debt being used to subsidise operational costs."

She said despite the lower-than-forecast increase, there are no changes to planned service levels for the year ahead. As a result, no public consultation or external audit was required.

The Annual Plan takes effect from 1 July 2026 – 30 June 2027.