Financial savings at the heart of Annual Plan proposals

Published: 20 February 2025

Financial savings at the heart of Annual Plan proposals

Future options for several Council facilities were voted on to proceed today, as part of Napier City Council’s forthcoming Annual Plan consultation.

The consultation will include potential new options for the future of the National Aquarium of New Zealand, Napier isite Visitor Centre, Par 2 Mini Golf and the Faraday Museum of Technology. Also proposed is the temporary closure of Napier Library from 1 July, ahead of the city’s new library opening in mid-2027. The consultation will include an update on the exploration of commercial leasing arrangements for Kennedy Park Resort and Ocean Spa.

Acting Mayor Annette Brosnan says at the heart of all the proposals, is an acknowledgement that Council has heard the community’s voice.

“Rates increases are never easy for the community. Neither are discussions on changing the services we deliver. However people told us we need to cut costs and get back to basics, and our response to their feedback is to make changes that will set us up for lower rates in the long term.”

The proposed 7.9% rates increase covers inflation-related increases to do with projects, fees and contracts, electricity, gas and insurance costs.

“Like everyone, inflation affects Councils too. The proposed rates increase covers the increasing costs to do the basics that people expect of us, such as roads, parks, and waste management,” says Acting Mayor Brosnan.

Council is also proposing to close Napier Library from 1 July. The closure will help to keep the rates increase below 7.9% and will enable staff to prepare for the forthcoming opening of the new library in mid-2027. Taradale Library would remain open and the mobile library’s hours and services would be extended.

“We’re going to focus on ensuring the new library’s services meet the needs of our community,” says Acting Mayor Brosnan.

The proposals for the four Council tourist facilities to be outlined in the consultation are not detailed financial proposals.

“We want people to tell us what they think of our high-level ideas. Once we’ve got some direction from the community, then we’ll start investigating options in more detail. We’ll also seek further input from the community as our ideas develop.”

Council’s option it is seeking feedback on for the National Aquarium of New Zealand is to close the Aquarium, demolish the building and construct a new, cheaper to run building in its place. The option retains a visitor attraction with a nature and conservation educational focus that would bring in revenue to Council and support Napier as a tourist town.

Council is proposing that a third-party operates Napier isite in an alternative visitor location. The current isite building on Marine Parade would be commercially leased to a third party for another purpose.

Next door to the isite, Council is proposing that Par 2 Mini Golf is leased to the same entity that leases the isite building.

The Faraday Museum of Technology is proposed to be placed into a charitable entity. The charity would run the Faraday, with a one-off capital grant and ongoing yearly operational grants to help the museum cover its costs.

“All of these proposals for our facilities mean long term rates reductions for our community,” says Acting Mayor Brosnan.

“Napier is a great visitor destination, and locals love to visit our facilities too. Any new plans will ensure this continues.”

The Annual Plan consultation opens on 31 March.

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