On 24 April 2026, Property Council submitted on Dunedin City Council’s Draft Annual Plan 2026/27.
Why this matters to our members
The Draft Annual Plan 2026/27 sets out what Dunedin City Council proposes to achieve in the coming financial year. It explains the services and activities that Dunedin City Council intends to deliver, how it will fund them, and the expected impact on rates and debt.
Our view
Property Council is concerned that the Draft Annual Plan proposes significant increases to rates and fees, and continuing the rating differential for commercial properties, adding to existing pressures on ratepayers and investment. A stronger focus is needed on managing expenditure, improving transparency, and adopting alternative funding approaches – especially for debt repayment.
At a high level, we recommended that Dunedin City Council:
- Reduce the scale of future rates increases through careful management of operational and capital expenditure;
- Provide clarification for new fees and fee increases, including the cost drivers, and how they reflect genuine cost recovery;
- Incorporate a phased plan for the complete removal of the commercial differential in next year’s Long-Term Plan and investigate alternative funding mechanisms;
- Remove the differential for Three Waters utilities, rather than creating a new differential or continuing to apply the commercial differential;
- Avoid using ratepayer funds to repay Stadium debts, and instead investigate alternative funding mechanisms; and
- In future, prepare a full draft Annual Plan for public feedback. This will support better clarity and accessibility.