Upper Selwyn Huts - Annual Plan 2026/2027

Over 2024 and 2025 Council engaged and consulted with Upper Selwyn Huts licence holders on the future length of a Deed of Licence taking into consideration current and future environmental factors. In September 2025 Council decided to provide new licences for a term of 30 years, with a formal review at year 20. Council also agreed to set the new licence fees as part of this year’s draft Annual Plan process.

During the 2025 consultation Council heard that some residents and licence holders wanted charges for water supply, wastewater and their infrastructure within the licence fee to be incorporated into district wide rates.

Since then, Selwyn Water Ltd (Selwyn Water) have taken over ownership and delivery of drinking water supply and wastewater infrastructure and services.

Council is now seeking feedback on the proposed licence fee and proposal to charge a targeted rate for provision of an updated rubbish collection service.

Proposed licence fee

Council proposes to reduce the licence fee from $1,389.00 annually to $575.00 annually from 1 July 2026, with the fee broken down as follows:

• Annual licence for right to occupy $250.00
• Administration fee $250.00
• GST $75.00

This new fee will offset the costs of compliance with the terms and conditions of the Licensees’ Deed of Licence. It will also provide funding to reinstate a dedicated point of contact to manage day-to-day enquiries such as general enquiries and invoicing.

The proposed fee would be charged annually and may change over the 30 year licence period. Council may adjust the fee each year if administration and compliance costs change.

Water supply and wastewater charges

The proposed annual licence fee no longer includes charges for water supply and wastewater removal. These services are now provided by Selwyn Water and will be charged by Selwyn Water from 1 July 2026.

Some licence holders and community members have previously asked for water supply and wastewater charges to move from the licence fee to a district wide rate. Selwyn Water's draft 2026/27 pricing will be set in line with its Water Services Strategy (WSS) that is proposed to go out for public engagement in May 2026.

The Pines wastewater pipeline is now owned by Selwyn Water, including the associated delivery debt. From 1 July 2026, any ongoing charges for water supply and wastewater infrastructure at the Upper Selwyn Huts will be managed directly by Selwyn Water.

This shift provides an opportunity to work with residents on ensuring services are delivered in an affordable, sustainable way. Selwyn Water is committed to providing safe and reliable drinking water and wastewater services and will engage with the Upper Selwyn Huts community as it works through what these changes mean for licence holders.

Targeted rate for rubbish collection

Council proposes to change how rubbish is collected by providing each property a choice of red rubbish wheelie bins or bags, and yellow recycling wheelie bins or recycling crates. The communal bins would be removed, and residents would need to take their bins and/or crates to Spackman Street on or before 6.30am collection day (Monday).

Residents currently take their rubbish bags to the communal waste and recycling bins on Spackman Street. Because these shared bins have limited capacity, moving to individual bins for each property will help ensure every household has enough space for their weekly rubbish and recycling.

A targeted rate would be charged to each property based on the size of bins they choose for their household needs.

Rubbish bags are also available to purchase from supermarkets and Council service centres. The price per pack of 5 bags at Council Service Centres is $20.00 incl GST.

Organic bins would not be available as this service is not currently provided outside of urban townships. The Refuse Uniform Charge usually applied for rubbish collection would not be charged to Upper Selwyn Huts as the community will need to take their bins to Spackman Ave for collection.

Upper Selwyn Huts community drop-in session and meeting

Have questions about the proposals? Book a time to drop in and talk to staff from Selwyn District Council and Selwyn Water, or come along to the community meeting.

• Community Drop-in session Tuesday 7 April, 4pm – 7pm, Tod lounge, Lincoln Event Centre.

To book your drop-in time please click here or email yoursay@selwyn.govt.nz.

• Community Meeting, Sunday 19 April, 1pm – 2pm Springston South Soldiers Memorial Hall, 433 Days Road, Springston 7674

If you have questions and your unable to attend the drop-in session or community meeting email them to yoursay@selwyn.govt.nz or call 0800 SELWYN (735 996).

How to have your say

You can provide your feedback on the proposals for Upper Selwyn Huts;

• Online - click here to make a submission. Once in the submission form tick the box “Upper Selwyn Huts”.
• By email – scan and attach a copy of your feedback and send to yoursay@selwyn.govt.nz. Please add ‘Annual Plan USH feedback’ to the subject line and include the following information;
  • Full name
  • Address
  • Whether you hold a current Upper Selwyn Huts licence to occupy
  • Whether you are an Upper Selwyn Huts permanent resident
  • Whether you wish to speak to your submission at the draft Annual Plan hearings (if so, include a daytime phone number you can be contacted on)
• By paper submission form – please drop or post back using the details listed further down this page.

Feedback will be collated and reported back to Council during the draft Annual Plan 2026/2027 deliberations.