Water Race Rating Review - consultation now closed

LTP consultation now closed

Consultation has now closed on Selwyn District Council’s Long-Term Plan (LTP) Consultation Document, Fast Forward ’28 – thank you to those who provided us with valuable feedback.

We received several hundred formal submissions and online comments on Council’s proposed key projects and activities which we’re planning over the next 10 years. All feedback on our proposals will be considered by the Council as part of its decision-making on the LTP.

Copies of the formal submissions can be viewed on the Council website from Friday 18 May.

What’s next?

Public hearings of submissions on the plan will be held on 23-24 May, and the Council will hold its deliberations on 30-31 May. The Council expects to formally adopt the Plan in late June.

Keep an eye on the Council website for updates: http://www.selwyn.govt.nz/home.

What’s proposed?

The Council is proposing to introduce a new rating structure for the water race network, based on a standard district rate.

The water race system has been operating in parts of Selwyn for around 130 years, supplying water to rural properties primarily for livestock purposes. There are currently three water race schemes: Ellesmere, Malvern and Paparua.

The current rating structure for water races is complicated, with 10 different rating factors operating across the three networks. Water race rates are paid by rateable properties in each rating area where the service is available, while some rural areas and townships pay a public good rate to reflect the broader benefit of water races.

In recent years, the use of the schemes has been decreasing, and the rating base of water race users is also declining. Many of the assets in the system are nearing the end of their useful life.

Although demand for water races to supply water for livestock is declining, water races bring other benefits to the Selwyn community. These include environmental benefits, along with aesthetic benefits for some residential areas.

The proposed change in the way water races are funded will ensure that land owners who benefit directly from access to water races still fund the majority of the costs, but that the wider community also contributes.

The proposed new rating structure provides three standardised rating factors to replace the existing 10 rating factors.