Environment Southland has set the rates increase for the 2018-2019 financial year at 8.3%, in accordance with its Long-term Plan 2018-2028.

This includes an increase in the annual uniform general charge from $78.70 to $94.80, largely to address the increased workload for freshwater.

The council is considering how the associated costs will be met in the following years. If a new “improving water” rate was proposed it would go out for consultation through an annual plan process.

This is the last year of the dairy differential rate ($115,000).