three people walking in mountains

On Wednesday the Selwyn District Council approved the audited Annual Report for the year ending June 30, 2024, which highlighted the unprecedented growth the district is experiencing.

“The Annual Report is always an important moment to see how we are tracking financially, but also to take stock of the incredible amount of work our staff do day-to-day to keep the district moving forward,” says Mayor Sam Broughton.

The 2023-24 Annual Report includes some staggering data to showcase the rapid growth of the Selwyn District across all areas.

Over the 2023-24 financial year, council staff fixed 4,786 potholes, processed 2038 building consents, resealed 81km of road, maintained 645 parks and reserves, provided swimming lessons for 13,826 learners, answered 62,116 calls from the public, and registered 17,042 dogs.

The Selwyn Aquatic Centre welcomed 525,782 visitors, while 491,874 visitors used the district’s libraries.

The Council also completed the Youth Zone in the Rolleston Town Centre, started construction of the Ellesmere to Pines pipeline, completed the Darfield Pool redevelopment, built new public toilets, and upgraded its drinking water treatment facilities.

“Balancing affordability, meeting current needs and allowing for future opportunities will remain the biggest challenge for the Selwyn District,” says Broughton.

Mayor Sam Broughton welcomed the modest financial surplus of $5 million in the Annual Report in the context of sharp increases in costs and interest rates compared to the Long-Term Plan budget.

“Because of these unexpected headwinds, the Council had to be financially prudent to deliver all our services to the district’s rapidly growing population,” says Broughton.

The mayor explains that the interest rate increases from 2.5% to 6% during the last financial year forced a readjustment, along with rapidly rising costs for insurance, audit fees, water utilities, bridges, and roading.

“Selwyn has always been a great place to live, and the Council is here to support residents and businesses to create the special place we all call home.”

In line with the Local Government Act (2002) the Council will publish the Annual Report on its website within a month of adoption. This is to allow for any final changes to be made to the report.

The Annual Report will be available online no later than April 26, 2025, and also available in hard copy in our Council libraries and service centres.

Last modified: 27 Mar 2025 3:00pm