Selwyn District Council adopts Annual Plan for 2025/26

Selwyn District Council has adopted its Annual Plan for 2025/2026, confirming its priorities and spending for the year ahead.

This marks the second year of delivering on the Council’s Long-Term Plan 2024–2034, which was shaped by feedback from 1,500 residents, the largest public response the Council has ever received.

Mayor Sam Broughton says the Annual Plan shows how the Council is turning community input into action.

“We’re continuing to deliver on what the community told us matters most, while also managing the impacts of growth, rising costs, and reduced government funding,” he says.

Balancing growth and affordability

Waikirikiri Selwyn is the fastest-growing district in the country, with a population that’s increased by 165% over the past 20 years. That growth brings pressure to maintain and expand services and infrastructure.

“Just maintaining the services we already provide has become more expensive,” says Mayor Broughton.

“Inflation has significantly increased the cost of things like building bridges, roads, and sewer systems.”

Infometrics* data shows that in the past three years:

• Bridge construction costs are up nearly 40%
• Sewer systems are 30% more expensive
• Roads and water supply infrastructure have increased by around 27%

“With over 2,500 km of roads and 120 bridges in Selwyn, these cost increases are significant,” he says.

To keep pace with this growth, more than 80% of Council’s capital spending this year has gone towards transport, water services, and waste management.

Next year, a total of $145.8 million will be invested in capital projects.

Keeping services running and rates reasonable

The average rates increase for 2025/26 is 14.2%, which is in line with what was signalled in the Long-Term Plan. For a typical household, this means an increase of around $10–$11 per week, depending on property value.

“To keep rates increases within the expected range, we’re working hard to find savings and be smarter with how we spend,” says Mayor Broughton.

“While our rate increase is 14.2% this year, we are also forecasting lower rate increases in the next few years.”

Selwyn has the lowest average rates per person in Canterbury.

In 2023/24, the average rate per person in Selwyn was $1,128, lower than neighbouring councils such as Christchurch ($1,681) and Waimakariri ($1,265).

What’s in the plan for 2025/26

Some of the key projects and priorities in this year’s Annual Plan include:

* Infrastructure and services: 80% of capital and 75% of operational spending goes towards roads, water, and waste services.

* Roading upgrades: Despite reduced government support, Council will complete 80 km of chipseal resurfacing (5% of the district’s roads) and 5 km of pavement upgrades.

* Community facilities: Progress continues on parks, playgrounds, community centres, and the Lincoln Town Centre upgrade.

* Strategic direction: Updates are included on key strategies such as the Waikirikiri ki Tua Future Selwyn, Kai Aku Rika Economic Development Strategy, Te Rautaki Tikaka Rua Bicultural Strategy, and Piki Amokura Youth Strategy.

* Water services: Following public consultation and changes to central government legislation, Council is also moving forward with plans to establish a Council-Controlled Organisation (CCO) to manage drinking water and wastewater—ensuring local control and long-term sustainability.

“We’re focused on the essentials and making sure Selwyn stays a great place to live—now and for future generations,” says Mayor Broughton.

“We’re proud to be delivering for our community while being responsible stewards of our $3 billion in community assets.”

For more information, visit Selwyn District Council - Annual Plan

The Annual Plan will be available online by July 16, 2025 and copies will be available in our Council libraries and service centres by the end of July, 2025.

*Data source: Informetrics: Analysing increases in local government costs for Local Government New Zealand February 2024

Pictured: As part of the Annual Plan, the Selwyn District Council is supporting Lincoln’s growth from rural township to thriving town centre, with work on stage one of the town centre upgrade underway.

Pictured: Despite growing costs, the Selwyn District Council is committed to providing safer roads across the district. Last year, we completed a total of 82.3km of chipseal resurfacing and 9.8km of pavement rehabilitation across the district. This year, we are planning to complete a total of about 80 km of chipseal resurfacing.