FAQs

This year we’re planning on keeping it simple: we’re sticking to the plan laid out last year in our 10-Year Plan, and we’re making progress on getting the basics right. Here are some of the projects we’ll make progress on over the next year:

• Rebuilding Naenae Pool
• Redeveloping Queen St in Wainuiomata
• Moving forward with Tupua Horo Nuku
• Connecting our city to our awa with RiverLink, improving city centre resilience and connectivity
• Investing in our key wastewater infrastructure in Moera and Seaview
• Upgrading the Dowse’s collection storage and installing a heat pump (switching the heating source from gas to electric)
• Petone Wharf
• Installing more electric vehicle chargers

You can find more information about these projects in the “Projects” tab of this draft Annual Plan engagement website, or check out the full draft Annual Plan at hutt.city/annualplan2022.

We’re facing some big financial challenges as we focus on getting the basics right. It’s important that we carefully manage our city’s finances to make sure we can fund infrastructure and services for our community now and in the future. We’re also facing cost pressures with rising inflation and other price increases, but we’ve worked hard to manage increasing expenses within the planned rates rise.

In setting the level of rates a range of factors are considered by Council, this includes balancing the affordability of rates with addressing costs pressures we are facing and ensuring that Council is able to deliver on its plan in a financial sustainable way in the long term. 

Rates affect properties differently. You can see what the impact on rates will be on your own property by using our online rates calculator: hutt.city/ratescalculator.

Last year, we developed our 10-Year Plan for the coming decade. We worked closely with our community on the priorities and projects we set, because it’s important our plans support residents’ aspirations for our city. This year’s Annual Plan closely follows what was laid out last year, and formal consultation isn’t required as we’re not proposing any substantial changes. However, we want to take this opportunity to remind you of the plan for the year ahead, to share more details about what you can expect to see happen around Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai in 2022-2023, and to check in with you that we’re still on the right track.

Under the Local Government Act, councils aren’t required to consult with their community if no substantial changes are being proposed to the 10-Year Plan. However, we wanted to share our plans for the year ahead and seek your input even though it’s not a legal requirement. So while we’re not formally consulting, we are carrying out engagement so you can share your thoughts on our direction.

The Annual Plan sets out our plans for the financial year ahead (the financial year runs from 1 July to 30 June). It includes information on the projects we’ll work on during the year, Council performance goals for our different areas of mahi, as well as financial information like budgets and forecasts. It’s basically Council’s to-do list for the financial year, and sets out how we’ll work and how much we’ll spend.

The 10-Year Plan and Long Term Plan are the same thing, and our Long Term Plan and Annual Plan work together in a series. The Long Term Plan sets out the vision for our city over the following decade, and outlines key projects and budgets for that period. The first year of the Long Term Plan also serves as the Annual Plan for that year. 

In the two years following a Long Term Plan, we produce an Annual Plan each year; you can think of them like chapters two and three of the Long Term Plan. The Annual Plan follows what was laid out in the Long Term Plan and gives us an opportunity to make updates if they are needed. Then, three years into the Long Term Plan, we take a look again at the decade ahead with a new Long Term Plan, and the cycle continues.

You can find more information about the different types of plans at hutt.city/planning.

The District Plan is different. While Long Term Plans and Annuals Plans focus on projects and budgets, the District Plan is more of a rulebook for land use and urban development. These rules cover things like residential development, subdivision of land, height and location of buildings, commercial and industrial developments, heritage, and noise.

You can find more information about the different types of plans at hutt.city/planning.

There are ways we might be able to help you: options include setting up a rate payment plan, postponing your rates bill, or you may be eligible for a rebate. Check out our website for more information, or email rates@huttcity.govt.nz.

The draft Annual Plan follows the path laid out in our Long Term Plan 2021-2031, where we adopted an approach based on getting the basics right and building strong foundations for our communities. Our ambitious capital investment programme also presents opportunities for employment, and for local businesses to undertake this work.

We recognise that COVID-19 continues to have an impact on the business community, including (but not limited to) hospitality and retail sectors. On 4 April 2022, Council asked us to explore options for further support for our business community to be funded from within existing budgets. These options will be ready for Council to consider on 18 May 2022. We also continue to offer the opportunity for those experiencing financial hardship – including small businesses – to apply for a postponement, under our Rates Postponement Policy.