Napier Annual Plan for 2020/21 adopted
Thursday 27 August 2020
Water has been re-confirmed as the number one priority for Napier City Council, which has
more than $24 million worth of drinking, stormwater and wastewater projects budgeted to take
place over the next year.
Council met today to adopt the Annual Plan for 2020/21, and as part of the process confirmed
10 water related resolutions including the re-confirmation. A decision to sign a Memorandum
of Understanding with the Government in order to access $12.51 million of funding for water
infrastructure was taken earlier in the day.
Other key resolutions included:
 that Council to increase rates by 4.8% for 2020/21 using the Parking Reserve ($4
million) and the Subdivision and Urban Growth Fund ($2.74 million) to cover the
predicted operating gap
 that Council agree the 2020/21 capital programme be reduced from $72 million to
$59.5 million, with $3.4 million of projects to remain in the plan, to be completed
based on capacity availability
 to adopt the Rates Remission Policy, Rates Postponement Policy, and
 to join the Local Government Funding Agency.
Mayor Wise reiterated that options are available for people struggling due to the pandemic,
through the rates and rental relief packages set up by Council.
“A zero rates increase would not help those who really need it. Given the endorsement from
submitters to use our savings rather than pursue a loan to cover the operating shortfall, I think
we have made the right choice by not placing an extra burden on our future ratepayers,” says
Mayor Wise.
Due to the delay caused by the pandemic, this year’s budget is in effect an emergency
budget, rather than a typical Annual Plan one.
“The pandemic has been the biggest challenge for us this year, but we are confident we have
planned to cope as best we can. We have just under $60 million targeted towards specific
projects in our capital work programme, with a further $3.4 million worth remaining in the plan,
to be completed as time and resources allow.”
Council spent two-and-a-half days at the War Memorial Centre for the Annual Plan hearing
earlier this month. Council received 310 submissions, of which 40 were from organisations or
groups. Ten groups made a funding request. The bulk of submissions – 96% - were received
online.

For media enquiries contact:
Craig Ogborn
COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING MANAGER

Napier City Council 

t: +64 68344144

m: 0274483551

e: craig.ogborn@napier.govt.nz