BoPRC Long Term Plan Decisions

Decisions from the BoPRC 10 Year Long-term Plans 2024/34

Following is a summary of resulting decisions which primarily affect our communities.

Rates

BoPRC’s Long Term Plan 2024-25 shows an overall rates increase across the Region above 13% for the coming year reducing to around 8.5% for year 2 and 4.2% in year 3. This of course varies between Districts with differing targeted rates, Rotorua copping the largest average rates rise of some 19.6%. Furthermore, there are significant variations between urban/rural properties.

However, Rotoiti lakes ratepayers should prepare for increases ranging from 14 to 60% with the largest rises being applied to lakeside properties which have seen huge increases in land value from the recent revaluations. Individual property owners can view their rates for the coming year HERE.

Council points to input costs beyond its control such as power, insurance and materials as having had a significant impact, these being further compounded by high inflation and a tight global supply chain that have driven up labour and material costs.

Notwithstanding, Council claims to have reduced annual operating and budgeted costs by $9.5m through efficiency initiatives and shared services. They also state that rates increases have been offset by $47m that Council will receive from its investment arm, Quayside Holdings, which averages out to reducing rates by $400 per household.

Ōhau Wall

Council has agreed to form a technical working group to assess potential solutions to repair the Ōhau Diversion Wall in Lake Rotoiti. Currently work is budgeted in the second year of the LTP. Any future changes to budgets and timing of the work will depend on the recommendations of this group and approval by Council.

Investigation of new opportunities for Regional Parks

An initial budget of $450,000 has been allocated to investigate the purchase and development of two new regional parks. Land has already been gifted for one of these in Katikati. The other facility is proposed for Rotorua and $250,000 from the budget has been earmarked for this purpose. It is envisaged that these developments will deliver a range of environmental, economic, social and cultural benefits to the community.

Funding of Public Transport in urban centres across the Region.

Council has confirmed its proposal to amend funding of public transport in urban areas from 100% targeted rates to 90% targeted and 10% general rates. This is considered to recognise the region-wide benefits of public transport including reduced traffic congestion for all road users, lower regional carbon emissions and improved air quality, as well as public health and social wellbeing benefits.

Managed sell-down in Port of Tauranga Limited shareholding

Following submissions, Council has decided to proceed with the proposal to enable a managed sell down in the Port of Tauranga Limited shareholding from 54.14% to a minimum of 28% to support a more diversified investment portfolio. Quayside will continue to remain a significant cornerstone of Council’s shareholdings. It is stated that before a sale can go ahead Council still needs to consider and approve the details of the process that will be followed and approve the conditions of any sale of shares with further detail contained in Volume 2 of the Long Term Plan 2024-34 accessible on their website.