The Annual Plan 2026/27
The Annual Plan 2026/27 sets out Council’s plan and budget for the year 1 July 2026 – 30 June 2027.
This Annual Plan correlates to Year 3 of the 2024-34 Long Term Plan and reflects any changes to the work programme for the year.
An Introduction from your Mayor
This Annual Plan sets out how we will continue delivering the services and infrastructure our district relies on, while responding to a period of significant change and uncertainty.
From major reform programmes coming out of Wellington to ongoing global economic pressures, the environment councils are operating in is shifting quickly.
Over the course of this plan, we expect to begin a significant structural reorganisation alongside neighbouring councils, in addition to establishing our new water organisation. We will also be developing what is expected to be the last Long Term Plan for Timaru District Council.
A strong emphasis in this Annual Plan has been on efficiency, value for money and keeping rates as affordable as possible. We know households are under pressure, and we have worked hard to reduce costs in practical ways that make a real difference to the rates
requirement.
That work has resulted in a rates increase of 9% — three percentage points lower than the 12% forecast in the Long Term Plan, and among the lowest increases in the country. Excluding water rates, which are treated separately under the Government’s proposed rates cap legislation, the increase is 3.7%.
Much of this effort has focused on the day-to-day operating costs that make up a large share of rates
each year. Our aim is to make Council more efficient and financially sustainable, and less reliant on borrowing to renew essential assets such as water infrastructure and roads.
At the same time, this plan maintains the core services and service levels our communities rely on. The approach we have taken reflects the need to balance affordability with the responsibility to continue investing in the essential services, facilities and infrastructure that support daily life across the district.
This year will also see the completion of work on a number of important community facilities. The Theatre Royal and Museum projects have completed ground and civil works, with museum foundations now underway. The Aorangi Stadium and Events Centre remains on track for completion in early 2027 and will provide a high-quality regional facility for local users while supporting wider economic benefit
through major events. Alongside these projects, ongoing investment in water supply upgrades and roading will help strengthen the resilience of our core infrastructure for future generations.
This Annual Plan is designed to ensure the district enters that period of change on an affordable, sustainable and well-prepared footing.
Nigel Bowen
Mayor
Koromatua
You can read more about what is planned in the Annual Plan 2026/27 in our information below
Supporting Information
- Council Report Adoption of the 2026-27 Annual Plan 30 June 2026 (pdf, 502.1 KB updated 31-Jul-2026)
- Council Report Resolution to Set Rates 2026-27 30 June 2026 (pdf, 574.4 KB updated 31-Jul-2026)
- Fees and Charges 2026/27
Background and Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the Annual Plan?
All local authorities are required to prepare an Annual Plan under Section 95 of the Local Government Act 2002.
Annual plans are produced for the years between Long-Term Plans (LTP), with the LTP setting the longer term strategic direction.
The annual plan is a one-year snapshot of Council’s intended work programme for the year. It outlines what the Council is planning to do, and any changes to the relevant year of the Long Term Plan, including financial information such as costs and funding and rates.
Annual plans are based on the relevant year of the Long Term Plan, and give us the opportunity to refresh information and budgets for the coming year, and include the setting of rates. They also highlight any changes to the Annual Plan for that particular year.
All local authorities are required to prepare an Annual Plan under Section 95 of the Local Government Act 2002.
Annual plans are produced for the years between Long-Term Plans (LTP), with the LTP setting the longer term strategic direction.
The annual plan is a one-year snapshot of Council’s intended work programme for the year. It outlines what the Council is planning to do, and any changes to the relevant year of the Long Term Plan, including financial information such as costs and funding and rates.
Annual plans are based on the relevant year of the Long Term Plan, and give us the opportunity to refresh information and budgets for the coming year, and include the setting of rates. They also highlight any changes to the Annual Plan for that particular year.
How does the council planning process work?
Every three years – part way through each election term – the council is required to develop and adopt a long-term plan. The first year of each LTP represents the Annual Plan for that year. In the years between long-term plans, annual plans are produced. These outline any changes to the LTP work programme and budget.
At the end of each year, an annual report and summary annual report is produced. These let the community know about what’s been achieved and how we have performed, as well as anything that hasn’t quite gone to plan or anything unexpected that's come up.
Every three years – part way through each election term – the council is required to develop and adopt a long-term plan. The first year of each LTP represents the Annual Plan for that year. In the years between long-term plans, annual plans are produced. These outline any changes to the LTP work programme and budget.
At the end of each year, an annual report and summary annual report is produced. These let the community know about what’s been achieved and how we have performed, as well as anything that hasn’t quite gone to plan or anything unexpected that's come up.
Why can councils choose not to consult on annual plans?
A series of amendments were made to the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act) in 2014 to encourage new ways of consulting and communicating with the community.
One of these amendments removed the requirement for councils to formally consult “if there are no significant or material differences to the content of the long-term plan”. This now makes formal consultation on proposed annual plans exceptions-based – that is, if there are no significant changes Council is not legally required to consult.
An annual plan that includes an overview of any minor changes in costs (along with all other information required under Part 2 of Schedule 10 of the Act) must still be prepared and adopted by council resolution before 30 June.
A series of amendments were made to the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act) in 2014 to encourage new ways of consulting and communicating with the community.
One of these amendments removed the requirement for councils to formally consult “if there are no significant or material differences to the content of the long-term plan”. This now makes formal consultation on proposed annual plans exceptions-based – that is, if there are no significant changes Council is not legally required to consult.
An annual plan that includes an overview of any minor changes in costs (along with all other information required under Part 2 of Schedule 10 of the Act) must still be prepared and adopted by council resolution before 30 June.
How do we decide what is significant?
Section 5 of the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act) describes “significance” as the degree of importance of any issue, proposal, decision, or matter, as assessed by the local authority, in terms of its likely impact on, and likely consequences for:
- the district or region
- anyone likely to be particularly affected or interested
- the capacity of the local authority to perform its role, and the financial and other costs of doing so.
Section 5 also describes “significant” as any issue, proposal, decision, or other matter having a “high degree of significance, that is:
- significant or material variations/departures from the financial statements or funding impact statement in the long-term plan
- significant new spending proposals, and the associated costs, or
- substantial delays to, or cancellation of, significant projects, and associated implications.
The Council is required to have a Significance and Engagement policy under Section 76AA of the Local Government Act 2002. The Policy is reviewed every three years as part of long-term plans.
Section 5 of the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act) describes “significance” as the degree of importance of any issue, proposal, decision, or matter, as assessed by the local authority, in terms of its likely impact on, and likely consequences for:
- the district or region
- anyone likely to be particularly affected or interested
- the capacity of the local authority to perform its role, and the financial and other costs of doing so.
Section 5 also describes “significant” as any issue, proposal, decision, or other matter having a “high degree of significance, that is:
- significant or material variations/departures from the financial statements or funding impact statement in the long-term plan
- significant new spending proposals, and the associated costs, or
- substantial delays to, or cancellation of, significant projects, and associated implications.
The Council is required to have a Significance and Engagement policy under Section 76AA of the Local Government Act 2002. The Policy is reviewed every three years as part of long-term plans.
What’s the difference between formal consultation and engagement?
Consultation involves receiving public feedback on proposals, and is one form of engagement. The Council regularly consults with the community through processes such as the long-term plan, which determine Council’s strategic direction, as well as how it sets budgets and prioritises projects.
The Council will consult with the community about significant decisions following the principles set out in Section 82 of the Act. The Council can also decide to consult at any time on a decision, where it considers that appropriate. For most Council decisions, there is no express requirement to consult the public, but we will consider people’s views and preferences.
Engagement is a broader and ongoing process of sharing information with the community and seeking its feedback, with the purpose of involving the community in the process of decision making. This may or may not include a more formal consultation process.
Consultation involves receiving public feedback on proposals, and is one form of engagement. The Council regularly consults with the community through processes such as the long-term plan, which determine Council’s strategic direction, as well as how it sets budgets and prioritises projects.
The Council will consult with the community about significant decisions following the principles set out in Section 82 of the Act. The Council can also decide to consult at any time on a decision, where it considers that appropriate. For most Council decisions, there is no express requirement to consult the public, but we will consider people’s views and preferences.
Engagement is a broader and ongoing process of sharing information with the community and seeking its feedback, with the purpose of involving the community in the process of decision making. This may or may not include a more formal consultation process.
What if I want to let the Council know my views, and it’s not part of a formal consultation?
We are happy to receive feedback at any time throughout the year, not just at annual plan time.
Please get in touch if you want to share your ideas, have some positive feedback about our staff, or have something you are not so happy about.
If it’s a particular issue around something you think needs fixing, contact our Customer Services team on (03) 687 7200 or enquiry@timdc.govt.nz or via our Website - Contact Us
You can also use the App Snap-Send-Solve, available via the Apple App store or Android’s Google Play.
We are happy to receive feedback at any time throughout the year, not just at annual plan time.
Please get in touch if you want to share your ideas, have some positive feedback about our staff, or have something you are not so happy about.
If it’s a particular issue around something you think needs fixing, contact our Customer Services team on (03) 687 7200 or enquiry@timdc.govt.nz or via our Website - Contact Us
You can also use the App Snap-Send-Solve, available via the Apple App store or Android’s Google Play.
What’s the Long Term Plan (LTP)?
The 2024-34 Long Term Plan was adopted in July 2024 and forms the basis for the 2026/27 Annual Plan. You can read more about the Long Term Plan 2024-34 here.
The 2024-34 Long Term Plan was adopted in July 2024 and forms the basis for the 2026/27 Annual Plan. You can read more about the Long Term Plan 2024-34 here.
Last updated: 31 Jul 2026