Ashburton District Council will begin consultation on its Annual Plan 2022-23 with an online meeting next week, followed by face-to-face meetings in Ashburton, Methven and Rakaia.

Mayor Neil Brown, Chief Executive Hamish Riach and senior staff will be present and able to answer questions about a budget that details $70.6 million spending on day-to-day running costs and projects to improve services and facilities.

Mayor Brown said high inflation, which was out of Council’s control, had contributed to an overall 9.4 per cent rate rise, but rates bills would vary because of recent revaluations.

“We’ve looked closely at Council operations and trimmed budgets wherever possible to help keep rates manageable,” he said. “We’re also proposing to defer some large projects, like a new entranceway into the Ashburton Domain, to help keep our general spending down.

“Some projects can’t be delayed though and we need to continue upgrading our water supplies to meet stricter national drinking water standards.”

Mayor Brown said consultation with the community would allow residents to have their say on the draft budget, and if they wanted to see services further reduced to help ease rates rises they had to let Council know.

Council also wants to know if residents support using money from forestry reserves to accelerate the major repairs roading programme.

The submission period will run until Friday 6 May.

There will be an online virtual feedback meeting on Thursday 7 April which will start at 7pm and people can watch on Council’s Facebook or You Tube channels, or via the itsourplace.nz website.

There will be a short presentation followed by a time for questions, which can be submitted during the meeting. People who can’t join live will be able to watch the recording afterwards at a time convenient for them.

People will also be able to ask questions and share thoughts with councillors and staff at community meetings at the Ashburton Event Centre on Monday 11 April at 7pm; at the Mt Hutt Memorial Hall on Tuesday 12 April at 7pm; and at the Rakaia Bowling Club on Wednesday 13 April at 7pm.

The consultation document and full draft Annual Plan will be available at itsourplace.nz from 7 April. People can engage online, or request a consultation document and submission form from the Council office.