Financial update

Council’s capital programme includes an estimated spend of $240 million in the 2026/27 year, which is higher than the $230 million planned for that year in the long‑term budget.

The 3 Waters component of the 2026/27 programme is $92 million, which is not expected to change. Council is currently reviewing the remaining ‘non‑waters’ component of $148 million.

Current‑year delivery performance is an important consideration in shaping the 2026/27 capital programme. The current‑year ‘non-waters’ programme is tracking behind schedule, with several projects experiencing delays for a variety of reasons. As a result, Council has rephased some work into 2026/27.

We are still fine‑tuning the 2026/27 plan, because experience shows we can realistically deliver a combined total of about $200 million of 3 Waters and ‘non-waters’ projects. Council will review a budget update in May 2026.

Forecast debt levels are lower than indicated in the 9 Year Plan mainly due to the current-year delays in the capital programme delivery.

The draft Annual Plan provides a balanced budget in ‘non-waters’ activities. As forecast in the 9 Year Plan and Council’s Water Services Delivery Plan, 3 Waters activities will achieve a balanced budget in the 2027/28 year.

Stadium funding

Last year, the 9 Year Plan 2025-34 increased annual funding to the Stadium by $2 million to support event attraction at the Forsyth Barr Stadium and Dunedin Centre Town Hall ($1.645 million) and to service debt held by the company that owns the stadium, Dunedin Stadium Property Ltd (DSPL), ($0.355 million). This raised the total annual funding to DSPL for capital expenditure and debt repayment to $2.905 million.

Council asked for an updated DSPL debt repayment plan for consideration during this 2026/27 draft Annual Plan process.

We propose additional funding from rates, for maintenance, to enable debt repayment and support the long-term financial sustainability. Funding would increase by $1.25 million in 2026/27 (bringing the total payment to $4.155 million), and then rise by an additional $1.25 million from 2027/28 onwards (bringing the total annual payment to $5.405 million).

Rating Method

Reports to Council

Reports to the 4-5 March 2026 Council meeting

Finances - All of Council

Finances - by Activities

The financial statements and reports are listed for each Activity

City Properties

Community Recreation

Creative and cultural vibrancy

Governance and Support Services

Regulatory Services

Resilient City

Roading and Footpaths

Three Waters

Treaty Partnerships

Vibrant Economy

Waste Minimisation

What we are consulting on

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