On 16 April 2025, Property Council submitted on Wellington City Council’s Draft Annual Plan 2025/26.
Why this matters to our members
The Draft Annual Plan 2025/26 outlines the direction of Wellington City Council for the next twelve months and will influence outcomes across Wellington. It is important that decisions made by the Council have fair and equitable outcomes for the property sector.
Our view
At a high level, we recommended that Wellington City Council:
- Review and reduce the operational expenditure (currently sitting $48.5m higher than forecasted in the Long Term Plan);
- Commence a staged reduction of the business differential until either removed or reduced to an equitable level over the next three annual plans (nine years) and replaced with alternative funding mechanisms that are fairer and more equitable;
- Provide Property Council with comparative data of Wellington City Council’s business differential versus other major New Zealand cities;
- Investigate a Regional Deal with Central Government;
- Remove the vacant site differential;
- Provide the commercial sector with evidence that demonstrates how the Council’s spending will reflect the increased rates split of 48% commercial and 52% residential;
- Provide Property Council with clarification on whether the proposed increases to consent fees place Wellington out of alignment with comparable authorities across New Zealand; and
- Adopt Option One under the Local Water Done Well proposals: a new multi-Council-owned water organisation (CCO).
Read our full submission