Key outcomes from the Extra Ordinary Council meeting 26 June 2025
Please note these are informal notes on the key outcomes from the meeting. The formal minutes and official record will be endorsed at the next council meeting.
Adoption of the 2025/26 Annual Plan – Council adopted the Annual Plan and sets the direction for the financial year 2025/26. Because there was no significant difference to Year 2 of the current Long Term Plan, council did not need to undertake a special consultative procedure but did seek informal feedback from the community which fed into this final plan.
Based on the Annual Plan budgets, this year will see a rates rise of 9.8%. 0.3% above the proposed rate in Council’s Annual Plan information document, yet below the forecast 10.6% in the Long-Term Plan. Read the media release about this rates rise.
Setting of 2025/26 Rates, Due Dates and Penalties - having adopted the 2025/26 Annual Plan, Council set the rates, due dates for payment and penalties regime for the financial year from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026. Read the full rates resolution.
Adoption of the Eastern Bay Spatial Plan - A Spatial Plan has been developed for the Eastern Bay of Plenty, to guide planning for more homes (and house up to 11,000 more people), provide more business land and support job growth, while also enabling primary industries to grow, enhancing the natural environment, and living with a range of natural and climate change hazards.
This Spatial Plan will guide the development of other important strategies and projects – in Ōpōtiki this is particularly the District Plan and the Hukutaia Growth Strategy. It also assists us when advocating for central government investment in roads, schools and health infrastructure. Home – The Spatial Plan - Our Places - Ō tātau wāhi
Local Water Done Well Preferred Service Delivery Option - Local Water Done Well is the Government’s approach to address long-standing water infrastructure challenges. Council is required to submit a future Water Services Delivery Plan to the Department of Internal Affairs by 3 September 2025.
Following council workshops and community feedback, council the resolved that the future water service delivery for the Ōpōtiki district is through an internal business. Council will also explore a Joint Water Service Organisation alongside other Eastern BOP Councils and Rotorua Lakes Council over the next 2-3 years.
The Water Service Delivery Plan will be prepared by staff and come back to council for approval in August 2025 to meet the government deadline.
Read the media release on the LWDW decision.
