QLDC lifts fees for most council services

Proposed fee increase for a wide array of community services run by the Queenstown Lakes District Council have come into effect this month.

This includes landing fees at Wānaka airport, sport and recreation services, environmental health, libraries, parking, mooring and jetty fees, community facilities and planning and development.

The increases were approved by councillors in a Full Council meeting on June 27, and an earlier community consultation. 

QLDC Chief Executive Mike Theelen says that without these increases in council services, rates would have been impacted instead, with fees and charges making up approximately 15.5 percent of Council's total source of funding over the next ten years.

"Without these increases, an increase in rates equivalent to $1.15M – or nearly one percentage point – would have been required, shifting more of the cost onto all ratepayers and away from those who directly benefit from using these services,” he said.

These reviews take place every year as a requirement under the Local Government Act.

Mr Theelen says its important fees and charges are kept up to date and reflect the costs of delivering these activities and services, as the council isn't immune to higher inflation that's seeing residents paying more for electricity and shopping at the supermarket.

"In most cases, what people pay is a contribution towards the whole cost rather than the full amount.

"A good example is swim prices which, like many other Council charges, are roughly 70 per cent ‘user pays’ and 30 per cent subsidised from rates.”

Consultation with the community ran for one month ending May 5. The council received 50 submissions and an extra ten late submissions.  

The full schedule of new fees and charges took effect from 1 July and can be found on the council's website.