Hurunui Council Adopts Annual Report, Four Months Late

Thursday, 27 February 2025, 11:04 pm
Article: David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

February 26, 2025

Roading and water infrastructure continue to be the big spend items on the Hurunui District Council’s books.

Councillors finally adopted the 2023/24 annual report at a council meeting on Tuesday (February 25), after delays due to rising costs and the revaluation of some asset values.

The annual report is normally adopted by October 31, but the council faced delays after postponing the adoption of its 2024/34 Long Term Plan to July 14 and then faced a revaluation of its three waters assets.

It was also delayed to allow staff to rejig the council’s roading budget after Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency declined its bid for a 184 percent increase in funding to support the district’s ageing roading network.

The council’s chief finance officer Jason Beck said the revaluation of the three waters assets led to a $60m increase in the council’s total asset value to $769m to June 30 last year.

Mayor Marie Black said the council had placed a focus on water and sewer upgrades in its 2015/25 Long Term Plan, seeking a bold target of spending more than $100m, which ‘‘had the potential for us to exceed our debt limit’’.

Most of those projects are now complete.

‘‘Completing these projects not only ensures we meet legislative guidelines around Drinking Water Standards,’’ Mrs Black said.

‘‘For us, it means we are dedicated to delivering an effective and efficient water service network.’’

In the year to June 30 last year, the council spent $67.6m, which was $7.1m more than it budgeted.

The extra spend included $5.4m on repairing storm damage to roads, extra employment costs at Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa, and for community projects.

Revenue was $67.4m, which was $5.4m ahead of budget and included extra development contributions from the south ward, including Amberley, and roading funding for emergency repairs.

The council’s debt ended the year at $67m, instead of the $71.5m budgeted due to the timing of projects, Mr Beck said.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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