Every three years, Council sets about developing a Long Term Plan (LTP) in consultation with you, our community. The LTP is a key strategic planning document that sets out the community vision, work plans and budgets for the next 10 years.
In the years between Long-Term Plans, Council produces an Annual Plan to check in on how things are going and where we might need to make some changes to keep delivering the services that our communities need and expect.
Council adopted the 2026/27 Annual Plan on Tuesday, 9 June 2026, confirming the rates for 2026/27.
The average rate will increase by 3.79% for all ratepayers for the financial year starting 1 July. This stays within central government’s 2–4% rates cap ahead of its January start next year.
This average rate increase will vary for ratepayers due to the capital value of properties that is calculated per $100,000, and the specific services properties receive such as rubbish and recycling collection.
Council confirmed a drop in the general rate increase from 3% to 2.8% for 2026/27. This is the lowest increase in over a decade and follows a series of cost-saving initiatives, including pausing and stopping certain technology upgrades, managing staff vacancies and numbers, and major savings through procurement initiatives.
Read more on our News Section