NPDC’s 10-year Plan sets direction for next decade

Looking after our critical infrastructure, sustainability, partnering with iwi and hapū and paying it forward for future generations are key focuses of NPDC’s 10-year Plan adopted on 4 July.

The decision gives the green light to our $4.5 billion work programme (including $1.5b capital and $2.9 operations budgets) and comes after months of discussion and debate, including public consultation in March-April, which attracted more than 3400 pieces of feedback.

New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom acknowledges this Long-term Plan, as one of the most significant ever adopted by the Council in terms of what we are asking of our community.

 “While every 10-year Plan looks at how we can get the most from our assets, this is one is very much a more-with-less plan: a comprehensive approach to squeezing more out of our diminished spending power through streamlining our structure, future-proofing our assets and targeting long-term investment.

“But I am acutely aware that the onflow effects of the increased costs we are facing – mostly outside of our control – will place additional pressure on many of our ratepayers and residents.”

Across the 10-years we are investing about $1 billion in transport, water, wastewater and stormwater networks to maintain current levels of service an accommodate future population growth.

The adoption results in average residential rates increase of 11.5 per cent for 2024/2025 – an estimated $364 extra a year or around $7 a week for an average property with a land value of around $390,000.  However, this will vary depending on property type and land value.

Focus areas highlighted in the plan

Future-proofing our district

Inflation and material costs hikes means it’s costing us more to maintain what we already have so we will be:

• Doubling spending to $315m to maintain our transport assets including roads, footpaths and bridges over the next decade – subject to NZTA- Waka Kotahi funding.
• Increasing how much we put into our Disaster Recovery Reserve to $500,000 a year and using income from our Perpetual Investment Fund (PIF) to top that up by $100,000 a year.

Sustainability

• Boosting funding for climate change planning
• Continuing Planting our Place programme
• $100k a year over the next three years towards a high frequency bus trial
• $100k a year in years one to three for Rohutu Block Managed Retreat

Paying it Forward

We want to make sure are planning ahead and investing in facilities and attractions for future generations to enjoy and contribute to our vision to be a Sustainable Lifestyle Capital.

• $50m to kickstart Tūparikino Active Community Hub - although that contribution will be reduced as external funding comes in.
• $9m to upgrade enclosures at Brooklands Zoo to they continue to meet national standards, and that would improve customer’s experience.
• We’ve committed up to $3m towards a more affordable options to upgrade Bellinger Pavilion in Pukekura Park
• We’ll also set up a Sustainable Lifestyle Capital Reserve using funds from the PIF to be used to pay for projects that contribute to our vision. Starting $250,000 and increasing annually up to year 10 when $2.5M would be added. 

Partnering with mana whenua

We will continue working with iwi and hapu on constructing the extension to the Coastal Walkway between Bell Block and Waitara and Planting our Place activities but also approved:

• $300,000 a year for partnerships, increasing by $100,000 annually from 2025/2026 until it reaches $1m
• Funds in the first three years have been committed for Ngati Whiti Marae and Pukerangiora Pā.

Our 10-year Plan at a glance 

What's in our 10-year Plan (pdf) 

Struggling to pay your rates?

There are a range of options for people who may need assistance with paying their rates, including the Department of Internal Affairs’ rates rebates scheme administered by the council, that in some cases allows for a refund or partial discount (of up to $790).  Find out more on our website.

In some cases, rates can be reduced or postponed – see our Rates Remission and Postponement polices for more information.