Christchurch City Council’s Annual Plan or Long Term Plan lays out work for the year ahead, how much this will cost, and the total amount of rates needed to pay for it.

Most rates are based on the rating value of the property. Some are charged as a fixed dollar amount to all properties, such as the general rate referred to as the Uniform Annual General Charge. 

The types of rates charged to an individual property will depend on its use and its geographical location relative to council infrastructure networks and rubbish collection area.

The Council collects several different types of rates.

General rates

General rates fund the cost of all other Council operations.

General rates pay for all Council spending that is not funded from any other source. 

Council charges a relatively small fixed charge per property (the Uniform Annual General Charge), plus a larger amount based on the property's Capital Value.  This ensures that rates are collected broadly in proportion to property values, whilst ensuring that all properties pay a minimum amount towards the running of the city.

In 2018/19, the Uniform Annual General Charge is set at $117.56 and the value-based general rate at 0.290650 cents per dollar of Capital Value.

However, the value-based general rate is charged differently to business and some farming properties, because businesses are considered to put greater pressure on Council spending and remote rural properties less pressure. 

These general rate differentials are set so that business properties pay 169.7% of the standard general rate, and remote rural properties 75% of the standard general rate.

These rating differentials are based on property use, not land zoning. For example, rural-zoned land in the City Plan may not qualify for a lower rating differential if the property is close enough to the city to fall within the Council’s sewer network.

View the operational criteria for the remote rural differential [PDF, 24 KB].

Targeted rates

Targeted rates recover the cost of specific council services, such as water.

Christchurch properties receiving, or capable of receiving, certain council services are charged the following targeted rates:

  • Water, sewerage and land drainage rates are based on how much these services cost and the capital value of the property.
  • Waste minimisation rates are charged as a uniform charge for most properties in the city, and for those areas of Banks Peninsula with a depot service only.

Water supply targeted rate – full charge and half charge

This rate recovers the net operating cost of water supply. It is assessed as a number of cents in the dollar of capital value on every separately rated property to which water is supplied through the on-demand water reticulation system. The half charge is assessed on rating units which are serviceable, i.e. situated within 100 metres of any part of the on-demand water reticulation system, but which are not connected to that system.

In 2018/19, the targeted rate for water supply is 0.057897 cents per dollar of Capital Value (or 0.028949 cents for properties which are serviceable but not connected).

Restricted water supply targeted rate

This rate recovers the net operating cost of water supplied through restricted water supply systems. A Restricted Water Supply Targeted Rate is assessed on every rating unit receiving the standard level of service as defined by the City Water and Waste Unit Manager. Where a rating unit receives multiple levels of service, it will be assessed multiple Restricted Water Supply Targeted Rates.

In 2018/19, the targeted rate for restricted water supply is a fixed amount of $183.60.

Water supply fire connection rate

The purpose of the Water Supply Fire Connection Rate is to recover the costs of water supply fire connection on a per-connection basis. It is assessed on a uniform basis to the rating units serviced.

In 2018/19, the targeted rate for water supply fire connection is a fixed amount of $111.75.

Excess water supply targeted rate

This rate recovers water-supply costs beyond those included in the water-supply rates. It is only charged to properties identified in the Water Supply, Wastewater, and Stormwater Bylaw 2014 that consume a larger volume of water than they effectively pay for through their normal water rates.

In 2018/19, the targeted rate for excess water supply is a volumetric amount of $0.94 per cubic-metre of excess water supplied. This amount is invoiced separately from other rates, as it is based on water meter readings.

Land drainage targeted rate

The purpose of this rate is to recover the net operating cost of waterways and land drainage. It is assessed as a number of cents in the dollar of capital value on every separately rated property which is within the serviced area.

In 2018/19, the targeted rate for land drainage is 0.043489 cents per dollar of Capital Value.

Sewerage targeted rate

This rate recovers the net operating cost of wastewater collection, treatment and disposal. It is assessed as a number of cents in the dollar of capital value on every separately rated property which is in the serviced area.

In 2018/19, the targeted rate for sewerage is 0.078180 cents per dollar of Capital Value.

Waste minimisation targeted rate

The purpose of this rate is to recover the net operating cost of the collection and disposal of recycling and organic waste (ie. our yellow and green bins - red rubbish bins are paid for by the General Rate).

The Full Charge is assessed on every separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit, as defined by the UAGC definition, in the serviced area. The charge is also made to non-rateable rating units where the service is provided.

For rating units outside the kerbside collection area, where a limited depot collection service is available, a uniform targeted rate of 75 per cent of the full rate will be made.

In 2018/19, the targeted rate for waste minimisation is a fixed amount of $146.24 (or $109.68 for the limited-service part-charge).

Active travel targeted rate

This rate contributes to the Active Travel Programme and specifically funds the cycleway projects. It is assessed on every separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit (as defined by the UAGC definition) within the serviced area.

In 2018/19, the targeted rate for active travel is a fixed amount of $20.00.

Special heritage (Cathedral) targeted rate

This is a temporary rate (until June 2028) to fund Council's $10 million heritage grant towards the restoration of the Christ church Cathedral. It will be assessed on every separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit (as defined by the UAGC definition) in the District.

In 2018/19, the Special Heritage (Cathedral) targeted rate is a fixed amount of $6.52.