South Taranaki's annual rates for water and waste water have risen by $16 and $24 respectively, in line with the increases projected in the Long Term Plan, while the rubbish and recycling kerbside collection rate remains unchanged.
This means the total average rate increase for rural properties will be about 1 to 1.5 per cent and for urban properties around 2.6 per cent.
South Taranaki District mayor Ross Dunlop says he is pleased the council has been able to reduce the rate increase for the new financial year, while also doing the things needed to progress a vibrant and prosperous district.
"Our council is always conscious of the need to keep any rate increases to a minimum, so we are pleased that by keeping a tight control on expenditure, and savings made through lower inflation and borrowing costs, we have been able to reduce the 2017/18 rate increase from what was projected in year three of our Long Term Plan," he said.
Other projects the council will progress in 2017/18 include $4.5 million of district water supply improvements (including $580,000 for the Patea reticulation network), $1.5 million for district wastewater improvements (including $130,000 for Waiinu wastewater treatment plant), and a new access road to Wai-inu Beach (known as the Nukumaru Rd extension).