QLDC Annual Plan adopted: Council greenlights 2025-26 budget and fee updates

Queenstown Lakes District Councillors yesterday adopted the Annual Plan 2025-2026 at the Full Council meeting, following an informal community engagement process and a separate consultation on proposed fees and charges. 

A formal consultation on the proposed user fees and charges for 2025-2026 was held earlier in the year, attracting 63 submissions. Following hearings and deliberations, the Council also adopted the updated fees and charges today, which will take effect from 1 July 2025. 

"The Annual Plan for 2025-2026 contains no significant changes from what was indicated for the year in the Long Term Plan 2024-2034 adopted by Council last September, including the average rates rise of 13.5%. We'd like to thank the community for their submissions in relation to fees and charges, and the general feedback received on the draft Annual Plan,” said Katherine Harbrow, QLDC Assurance, Finance and Risk General Manager. 

Queenstown Lakes District Council provides a wide range of user-pays services, including building and resource consent processing, dog registration, recreation facilities, parking, and access to Wānaka Airport. Fees and charges help ensure the cost of delivering these services is fairly shared between users and ratepayers, in line with Council’s Revenue and Financing Policy. These Fees and charges updates are expected to contribute $2.4 million in additional revenue, directly offsetting what would have been an average 1.6% increase in rates. 

This year’s fees and charges updates are part of a regular annual adjustment to keep pace with inflation, following the approach set out in the Long Term Plan to help avoid bigger, unexpected increases later on. For 2025–2026, inflation (CPI) was 2.6%, and most fees have been adjusted to match. A more tailored approach has been taken to reflect specific needs and circumstances in five key areas - Sport and Recreation, Planning and Development, Queenstown car parking, Dog Registration, and Wānaka Airport. The Development Contribution Policy was also updated for inflation (PPI) to ensure developers are paying for growth.  

As of 2024, the Queenstown Town Centre has over 3,000 public parking spaces, with around two-thirds still free. Parking fees and restrictions help manage demand and reduce congestion, with expanded public transport services from Otago Regional Council supporting more sustainable travel options. 

At Wānaka Airport, updated aircraft parking and landing fees apply to visiting pilots, though the first hour of parking remains free. These changes don’t affect commercial or private operators based at the airport. Council has also improved how longer-term Wanaka airport parking is arranged and communicated. 

Dog registration fees fund key animal control services such as education, pound operations, and a 24/7 response service. A new cap limits working dog charges to two per property, and other changes bring fees in line with the Dog Control Act 1996, including updated Fees and charges for dangerous and menacing dogs. 

The next Annual Plan 2026-2027 will undergo its refresh once the new Council is formed post the 11 October Local Government election, with consultation expected to take place in March/April 2026.  

From November 2025, Council will also begin early engagement on the next Long Term Plan (2027-2037), providing the community with a meaningful opportunity to help shape future projects and investment priorities. More information on this process will be made available later this year. 

Also approved at yesterday’s meeting was the setting of the rates. This rate setting flows from the Annual Plan and Council has elected to align the due dates with other Councils to have four equal instalments. This will assist ratepayers planning and assist the Council cashflow. Rates invoices will be sent to households on Friday 1 August.  

The full Annual Plan 2025-2026 including the Schedule of User Fees and Charges are available at https://www.qldc.govt.nz/your-council/council-documents/annual-plans/

ENDS|KUA MUTU. 

Media contact: communications@qldc.govt.nz or call 03 441 1802