These are challenging times, Southland Murihiku. Southland District Council is consulting on its Long Term Plan 2024-2034, and we need to hear from you.

How much do you think we should spend?

Are you prepared to sacrifice some levels of service in roading to keep rates down?

These vital decisions will have a bearing on your final rates. The average Southland district rate increase for 2024/2025 in the proposed LTP is 13.66%, with most increases across the district ranging from 4% to 13% for residential rates, and from 11% to 17% for rural and business rates. There will be exceptions for individual properties.

There are four key issues, around funding of water services, roads, recycling and Te Anau Airport Manapouri.
The consultation period runs from 5 June until 5 July, with hearings scheduled on 16-18 July.

Please go to https://makeitstick.nz/ltp2024 and let us know what you think.

Hard copies of the consultation document and submission form are available at Southland District Council’s office/libraries in Invercargill, Winton, Riverton, Te Anau, Lumsden, Otautau, Oban, and Wyndham, as well as more than 20 cafes, dairies, supermarkets, retail outlets, pubs, clubs or service centres in townships throughout the district.