Whakatāne District Council wants your help to shape how local services are funded - and what you pay when you use them.
The Council is currently consulting on proposed Fees and Charges for 2026/27. These are the costs people see when they use specific Council services, such as the pool, boat ramps, parks and reserves, sportsgrounds, cemeteries, building services, roading and traffic management, food safety checks, and water services.
While fees might seem small on their own, together they play a big role in how services are paid for - and how much pressure ends up falling back onto rates.
Dr Leny Woolsey, General Manager Strategy & Growth, says this is an opportunity for people to have influence over what they pay and how Council services are funded.
“Fees and charges affect decisions for households, clubs and businesses - whether it’s how often you go to the pool, launch your boat, run a sports tournament, or apply for a consent,” Dr Woolsey says.
“This consultation is your opportunity to tell us what seems fair, what doesn’t, and where we might have missed something - before the Council makes its decisions.”
The Council reviews fees and charges every year to keep up with inflation, rising operating costs, and changes in legislation. Without regular updates, the gap between what services cost to provide and what people pay doesn’t disappear - it usually gets picked up elsewhere, including through rates.
“This review is about balancing income and expenditure as carefully and transparently as possible,” Dr Woolsey says. “Fees can help reduce pressure on rates by making sure people who use a service are contributing a fair share, rather than spreading those costs across everyone.”
The proposal includes a mix of small inflation‑based changes, some higher increases where costs have risen more sharply, and some new charges where services are currently being subsidised by ratepayers. Proposed changes span a wide range of everyday services - from water supply connections and inspections and roading, to boat ramps, sportsgrounds, cemeteries and the aquatic centre.
“No decisions have yet been made,” Dr Woolsey says. “We want people to look at what’s proposed, think about how it affects them, and share their views - whether they support the changes, oppose them, or think there’s a better way.”
Submissions are open now and close at 5pm on Friday, 29 May 2026. People can read the full proposal, service‑specific FAQs, and make a submission at Kōrero Mai or provide feedback through Council facilities or elected members.
