Long-Term Plan 2025-2034


As we shape Buller’s next nine-year plan, we want your feedback on our key consultation topic and any other part of the Draft Long-Term Plan 2025-2035.

Buller District Council’s plan for the next nine years is called the Long-Term Plan (LTP), and it will cover the years 2025 – 2034. It is Council’s guiding document, and it has an impact on everyone who lives in our district.

The LTP outlines Council's goals, what Council aims to do, and how we plan to pay for what we will deliver to our community. It also identifies the significant big-picture drivers behind our actions, which are captured in our vision, and the Community Outcomes. It gives the reasons behind what we do, includes the actions we commit to, tells you how much that will cost and how we plan to pay for it.

Have you ever wondered why Council invested in that water pipe? This document explains why, how much we intend to spend on it and when that pipe should go into the ground.

We return this document to the drawing board every three years and set the course for the following ten years. This Long-Term Plan is slightly different, as in February 2024, Council decided to defer the development of the Long-Term Plan by a year to be able to have a better understanding of the coalition government's plan to implement Local Water Done Well and repeal the Water Services Legislation. Council adopted an Enhanced Annual Plan for 2024/2025 to bridge this gap.

Big decisions are ahead, and we need your input! Tell us which option you prefer or give feedback on any part of the Draft Long-Term Plan 2025-2034 during the consultation period between 25 April - 26 May 2025. Join the conversation!


As we shape Buller’s next nine-year plan, we want your feedback on our key consultation topic and any other part of the Draft Long-Term Plan 2025-2035.

Buller District Council’s plan for the next nine years is called the Long-Term Plan (LTP), and it will cover the years 2025 – 2034. It is Council’s guiding document, and it has an impact on everyone who lives in our district.

The LTP outlines Council's goals, what Council aims to do, and how we plan to pay for what we will deliver to our community. It also identifies the significant big-picture drivers behind our actions, which are captured in our vision, and the Community Outcomes. It gives the reasons behind what we do, includes the actions we commit to, tells you how much that will cost and how we plan to pay for it.

Have you ever wondered why Council invested in that water pipe? This document explains why, how much we intend to spend on it and when that pipe should go into the ground.

We return this document to the drawing board every three years and set the course for the following ten years. This Long-Term Plan is slightly different, as in February 2024, Council decided to defer the development of the Long-Term Plan by a year to be able to have a better understanding of the coalition government's plan to implement Local Water Done Well and repeal the Water Services Legislation. Council adopted an Enhanced Annual Plan for 2024/2025 to bridge this gap.

Big decisions are ahead, and we need your input! Tell us which option you prefer or give feedback on any part of the Draft Long-Term Plan 2025-2034 during the consultation period between 25 April - 26 May 2025. Join the conversation!

  • Council launches Draft Long-Term Plan 2025-2034 consultation

    supporting image

    Buller District Council is asking the community for feedback on its Draft Long-Term Plan 2025-2034 (LTP) between Friday, 25 April 2025, and 4:30 pm Monday, 26 May 2025.

    Chief Executive Officer Simon Pickford emphasises council’s commitment to prudent financial planning. He states: “Developing a no-frills budget that enables council to deliver the same level of existing services was the primary focus when developing the financial framework for the next nine years."

    Read more in our Media Release.

  • Community to have their say on Westport’s wastewater and stormwater separation

    supporting image

    Buller District Council will consult with the community about the options for separating Westport’s stormwater and wastewater as part of the Draft Long-Term Plan 2025-2034 consultation.

    Read more in our Media Release.

  • Council changes Long-Term Plan consultation timeline

    supporting image

    Today, Buller District Council confirmed changing the consultation period for its Draft Long-Term Plan (LTP) 2025-2034. Council had initially planned to seek the community's feedback on its next nine-year plan between 18 April 2025 and 19 May 2025. However, due to high workloads for staff and auditors, Council has decided to slightly delay the consultation period, opening it a week later on 25 April 2025.

    Read more in our Media Release.

  • Buller District Council floats draft total rates increase for 2025-26

    supporting image

    Council staff have been able to further reduce the total rates percentage increase quoted at the 22 January Long-Term Plan (LTP) budget workshop from 9.8% to 7.39% for 2025-26, while retaining the existing levels of service delivery.

    Read more in our Media Release.

  • Buller District Council progresses lean Long-Term Plan budget

    supporting image

    Buller District Council held its regular Long-Term Plan (LTP) workshop at the Clocktower Chambers yesterday, as it continues to work towards developing a no-frills budget for 2025-2034.

    Read more in our Media Release.

  • Continuation of council’s grants funding under review

    supporting image

    The future direction of council-funded community grants was on the table at this week’s council meeting, with councillors reviewing and considering grants funding. A decision was made to retain the current level of grants funding available in the 2021-31 Long-Term Plan (LTP).

    Read more in our Media Release.

  • Council’s 2025-34 Long-Term Plan workshops underway

    supporting image

    Buller District Council’s workshop programme for 2025 is in full swing, with the council meeting last Wednesday, 12 February for a public workshop to discuss the levels of service and fees and charges that will be set for the 2025-34 draft Long-Term Plan (LTP).

    Read more in our Media Release.

Page last updated: 08 May 2025, 12:35 PM