Decision on Stewart Island/Rakiura visitor levy

Council Decision

On 11 May 2022 Council deliberated on the options presented, following the consultation period in March 2022 and public hearings on 27 April 2022.

Councillors decided to increase the amount of the visitor levy to $10 on 1 October 2023, and then increase the amount of the levy to $15 on 1 October 2025.

Other options endorsed were:

  • allowing multi-year funding of up to 30 years for Council and community-owned infrastructure, in exceptional circumstances
  • removing the requirement to consult via the Annual Plan/Long Term Plan process, in the event a change in the levy amount is considered, noting that consultation procedures under the Local Government Act will always be applied
  • continuing to undertake the communication measures agreed at the 22 February 2022 meeting to publicise the Stewart Island/Rakiura visitor levy
  • retaining the levy eligibility requirements outlined in the draft policy
  • not seeking a change to the Empowering Act as to who pays the visitor levy
  • no change to the current Stewart Island/Rakiura Visitor Levy Allocation Subcommittee
  • other minor changes to the draft bylaw and policy as outlined:
    • clarifying that the Stewart Island/Rakiura Visitor Levy Allocation Subcommittee may only allocate funding once a year, at its annual allocation meeting
    • adding examples to the descriptions of the three allocation categories (Council/community infrastructure, operational costs, community costs)
    • adding that for applications made by Council (including community boards), the inclusion of a project in Council’s Long Term Plan indicates that it has gone through a community engagement process, and Council has endorsed the project as supporting the community’s long-term objectives
    • updates to improve legal accuracy and clarity of the policy, including titles and delegations.

Consultation

Between 1 March and 1 April 2022, Council consulted on proposed changes to the draft Stewart Island/Rakiura visitor levy policy and bylaw.

There were 102 submissions received over the consultation period. People who made submissions were from:

  • Stewart Island/Rakiura - 26% of submitters
  • other areas in Southland - 44% of submitters
  • other areas in New Zealand - 10% of submitters
  • Stewart Island/Rakiura ratepayers who live elsewhere - 20% of submitters

There are 16 submitters who will speak to their submissions at hearings to be held 27 April 2022.

Council will deliberate on this matter on 11 May 2022.

Overview

The Stewart Island/Rakiura Visitor Levy Policy:

  • provides guidance on governance and administration of the Stewart Island/Rakiura visitor levy
  • outlines who pays levies and revenue
  • outlines how levies and revenue will be collected, administered, allocated and enforced.

The Stewart Island/Rakiura Visitor Levy Bylaw:

  • prescribes the rate of the levy that will be imposed on or in respect of visitors
  • prescribes the means by which the levy is to be collected.

The visitor levy helps to fund services, facilities and amenities for visitors while they are on the island.

Council is proposing to increase the Stewart Island/Rakiura visitor levy from $5 to $15 per visitor from 1 October 2023.

The proposed increase to $15 is to ensure visitors are contributing a reasonable amount towards these costs and to alleviate the rates burden of these costs on ratepayers.

Revenue from the levy is allocated to groups or organisations by way of application to the Stewart Island/Rakiura visitor levy allocation subcommittee, so funding for particular projects is not guaranteed. However, having increased funds available would provide further funding opportunities to assist with getting important work and activities completed.

The Statement of Proposal outlines in more detail the proposed changes to the policy and bylaw.

Your views

Levy quantum

The majority of submitters thought that the visitor levy should be increased from $5.00 (the current amount) and there was general support for increasing funds to protect and support the unique environment of Stewart Island/Rakiura. However, a number of submitters supported keeping the visitor levy at $5.00 due to the perception that an increase in levy quantum would make the Island an uneconomical destination for visitors. Those that did not support an increase commented that the increasing cost to reach Stewart Island/Rakiura was impacting on family connectedness and the quality of life for the increasingly aging population on the Island. Many comments were made on the timing of the proposed levy increase, given the current economic climate.

Multi-year funding

There was general support for the Stewart Island/Rakiura Visitor Levy Allocation Subcommittee being able to commit to multi-year funding, however, of those submissions in support, a slight majority considered the current approach of being able to commit funding for ten years, most appropriate. Feedback suggested that uncertainties, such as Covid impacts, climate change and evolving technology, mean that thirty years is too long a period to provide a financial commitment to. Feedback in support stated that the ability to commit funding of up to thirty years recognised the long term nature of many infrastructure projects and that the time period gave long term certainty and security – these submitters did however caution that the circumstances would need to be exceptional.

Other themes

During the consultation process, submitters also provided feedback on issues such as what levy funds should be used for, who should be considered exempt and the need for increased communication and transparency from Council.