News
Solid waste fees in Invercargill and Bluff are set to rise by up to 18 percent next financial year, as Invercargill City Council grapples with rising costs driven largely by central government changes.
Councils
The proposed increases are part of the council's annual Fees and Charges schedule review, with public consultation closing on 24 April.
At the Invercargill Waste Transfer Station, cash minimum fees would jump from $11.90 to $13.90, while account minimums would rise from $23.80 to $27.70. General waste costs per tonne would see the biggest increase, climbing from $428 to $497.90.
Bluff Waste Transfer Station users face similar hikes, with car disposal fees rising from $20 to $23.30, station wagons from $31.80 to $37, and utes or vans from $51.80 to $60.30. Trailer disposal costs would also increase significantly, with single-axle trailers going from $81.70 to $95 and tandem-axles from $137.40 to $159.80.
Councillor Alex Crackett, chair of the Infrastructure and Growth Committee, said the increases were unavoidable.
"I want to be upfront that these increases are largely being driven by changes from central Government, particularly the rising waste levy over the past few years," she said.
"We've had to make a call about how that cost is carried, whether it sits across all ratepayers or more directly with those using the service and neither option comes without impact."
Crackett emphasised the council faced a difficult balancing act between user fees and rates.
"The reality is the cost of delivering this service hasn't gone down, it's gone up, and we have to be transparent about that. If we don't recover it through fees, it ultimately comes back on rates, so this is about being clear and fair about where those costs sit," she said.
"There's no easy answer here, and that's why we're asking the community to have their say before any final decisions are made."
The council has also added three previously unlisted fees to its schedule for transparency. These include a central business district solid waste collection service, a replacement bin fee charged by WasteCo, and a $20 charge for replacing account holder identification tags.
Group Manager Finance and Assurance Patricia Christie said most council fees would increase by 5-15 percent, reflecting rising service delivery costs, inflation, and corporate overheads.
Other proposed increases include a 10 percent rise in Splash Palace fees and bus fare increases of 10-14 percent. Parks fees would rise by 10-15 percent, while two new fees for the Bluff Boat Ramp are also proposed.
The council is scheduled to adopt its 2026/2027 Fees and Charges schedule in June.
Council also says. Some of the changes include:
Cash minimum: $11.90 to $13.90A
ccount minimum: $23.80 to $27.70General waste (per tonne): $428.00 to $497.90
Mixed waste (<80% green waste, per tonne): $428.00 to $497.90
Mixed waste (>80% green waste, per tonne): $305.80 to $355.70
Green waste only (per tonne): $92.30 to $106.60
These charges are largely driven by changes from central government, particularly the increase in the waste levy over the past few years.We’d like your feedback on these proposals. Have we got it right?
Share your thoughts by 24 April at letstalk.icc.govt.nz/fees-and-charges-2026-2027