FAQs

Council’s Fees and Charges are reviewed annually to ensure they reflect the cost of services being provided and an appropriate balance is maintained in funding activities through a balance of rates and Fees and Charges.

Council takes into account principles of transparency, efficiency and fairness to set its Fees and Charges. These are outlined in Council’s Revenue and Financing Policy.

Council’s activities are evaluated for their costs and benefits to the community.

When possible, user charges are the preferred option for services where there is a benefit to the individual. This means that Council will set a charge for the user to cover the full or partial cost of the service.

In some circumstances, a market rate is used when Council believes the cost of the charge will reduce the use of a service, and in turn diminish the value of the facility to the community. In these cases, Council uses its judgement to set the fees at what it believes is an acceptable market level.

The majority of fees have been increased by 5% to 15% to reflect rising service delivery costs (including inflation), rates increases, and the corporate overheads required to support these services.

Corporate overheads are the indirect costs that cover the behind‑the‑scenes services supporting all Council activities, such as finance, planning, customer services, and health and safety.

Some areas, such as three waters, animal services, and crematorium services, were already recovering some or all of these costs through their fees, so the proposed increase of 5% is in line with Council’s Revenue and Financing Policy. 

For other services, higher increases were proposed to include overheads and the proposed fees accurately reflect what it truly costs Council to provide them.

This change helps ensure our fees align with the Revenue and Financing Policy and supports the wider move toward a user‑pays approach (where appropriate).

Some fees have not changed because cost reviews showed that increases were not required.

Also, fees that are set by legislation have not changed (for example alcohol licensing fees, parking fees, building infringement fees or water penalties). This means that while costs to provide the services may be increasing, Council must meet any shortfall from other means e.g., from the general rates.

Council has a number of corporate charges (including hourly rates) to ensure: 

• The full cost of the work is recovered
• Resources are allocated fairly across projects
• Consistent budgeting 
• Projects or services pricing reflects full organisational costs.

For example, many of the Building Control and Resource Management fees are based on corporate charge‑out rates, reflecting the different skill levels and roles involved in delivering the service. 

Corporate overheads, however, are the actual indirect costs required to run the Council as an organisation. They represent the cost of keeping the organisation running so that staff can perform their work, and are not specific to one person, team, or project. These usually include Finance, IT, HR, governance, office accommodation, utilities, insurance, and health and safety systems, among others.

Corporate overheads are included within Council’s corporate rates.

Fee increases or decreases

For most Animal Services fees, the proposed increase is 5% to ensure the costs associated with the animal control activity continue to be recovered.

Application fees for responsible dog ownership—such as property inspections and microchipping—are proposed to be reduced to encourage more owners to follow responsible practices. Council is also proposing to reduce the Dog Hearing Lodgement Fee to improve equity and ensure all owners have a fair opportunity to challenge a dog classification, consistent with the rights provided under the legislation.

Council is also proposing to reduce the application fee for the keeping of more than two dogs. This fee was originally higher because Animal Control Officers needed to spend a lot of time visiting properties, explaining requirements, and carrying out multiple re‑inspections. Better education for dog owners before they apply, along with more efficient scheduling, has reduced the need for repeat visits. Officers can now complete these inspections while working in the area, lowering the overall cost of providing the service.

Fee changes

• Dangerous dog registration fee –We’re proposing to amend our fees for dangerous dogs, splitting them into two categories: one for dangerous desexed dogs, and one for dangerous not desexed dogs. In both cases the fee will be 150% of the corresponding standard fee. Previously, the fee was set at 150% of the standard not desexed fee only, but this was inconsistent with the wording of the Dog Control Act 1996 which says that dangerous dogs are to be charged at 150% of the fee that would apply if the dog were not classified as dangerous.
• Responsible Menacing Dog – Desexed (Breed Only) registration fee - We’re proposing to introduce a Responsible Menacing Dog – Desexed (Breed Only) fee and remove the existing Responsible Menacing Dog (Breed Only) fee. This change reflects the ban on menacing dogs classified by breed, meaning no dogs should remain registered under the previous category. Under current requirements, once a menacing dog is registered, Council advises the owner that the dog must be desexed within one month and appropriately contained to meet responsible ownership standards. As these conditions take effect immediately upon registration, the Responsible Menacing Dog – Desexed (Breed Only) fee becomes the relevant and applicable fee from the outset.

Both on and off-street hourly parking fees have increased between 15% and 30% due to inflation and the cost of providing the service.

Previously, our off-street hourly fees varied – we are now proposing to charge the same hourly rate across all car parks.

For our on-street parking, we are not proposing to change the first 30-minute free parking allocation, however this will still need to be activated via the PayMyPark app or at a parking kiosk (by entering your number plate).

We are also proposing to keep the long-term parking fees across our car parks on Esk Street, Don Street and Leven Street the same.

The published maximum rental levels are not increasing. However, some properties who are not being charged the maximum will receive increases for 2026/2027. Tenants will receive information related to their individual properties.

The proposed bus fee increase comes from central government’s push for councils to collect more revenue directly from the people who use bus services. It also helps cover what it actually costs Council to run the bus service for our community.

We are not proposing to change the fees for children under 13 and Super Gold Card (off-peak) users – these will remain free.

Council is proposing to increase fees for our community spaces such as Splash Palace, parks and reserves, and the Library so we can continue covering the actual costs of delivering these services. We know how tough things are for many people right now, and we don’t take any increase lightly.

We're working hard to keep services as affordable as possible, while also balancing rates and fees in a very challenging economic climate. Like many in our community, Council is facing rising costs too, and we need to find a sustainable way forward so we can continue providing quality and reliable services.

Depending on the nature of the fee or charge, there are a number of ways to make payment:

1.  Fees are collected the relevant facility or service, including Invercargill Public Libraries and Archive, Splash Palace, Parking Kiosks or the PayMyPark app, or on our Public Transport Network
2. You can pay fees in person at Bluff Service Centre or at Te Hīnaki – Civic Building, 101 Esk Street, Invercargill
3. You can pay fees online by using Council’s online portal icconline.icc.govt.nz/ePathway/ICCProduction/Web/Payments/PaymentTypes.aspx for licenses, infringements and animal registration and impoundments – please note that there is a credit card online merchant service fee of 1.70% of the payment amount (subject to change)
4. Or by bank transfer to Invercargill City Council’s bank account. Our details are BNZ bank, account number 02 0924 0019668 03

Please contact us at policy@icc.govt.nz 

There are no changes proposed to Class C volumetric water sales (250m³ and over), trade waste and tankered waste fees as they’re already set at the level needed to fully cover the cost of providing the service. 

For each of the water services areas, we have added information on what makes up an ordinary or extraordinary connection, and the associated connection application fees and re-inspection fees (if required). 

Legislative requirements for water services require Council to provide the fees and charges for water supply, sewerage and stormwater in a separate document and include information on when the charges are to be applied e.g. subdivisions, new connections, growth of the network.

Each of the water services area now have fees relating to connection applications, installation (water supply only), and disconnections, as well as subdivision connection fees. 

There are no changes for residential customers. 

From 1 July 2026, the bank account used for commercial water billing payments (volumetric charges) will change to meet the new regulatory requirements for water services. 

All commercial water customers, as well as those with outstanding water invoices will need to make their payments into the new bank account. 

The new bank account is
02-0924-0230447-00. 

We are also working with banks to update the online banking payment portals will be updated accordingly for this change in bank account. 

Further information will be provided by Council’s Finance team before 1 July. 

These changes do not affect residential properties. For households, water charges are already included in the rates bill, so no separate adjustments or billing updates are required.

Council rates are considered as part of the review process for every Annual Plan. As there are no significant changes between what was planned for year 3 of the 2024-2034 Long-term Plan and the proposed 2026/2027 Annual Plan, Council is not required to consult on the next Annual Plan. Council is scheduled to discuss and adopt the 2026/2027 Annual Plan on 23 June.

As agreed by Council on 24 March 2026, the average rates increase is currently forecast to be 6.93%, though this could still change before the final decision is made. This is compared to a planned average rates increase of 8.43% for year 3 of the Long-term Plan. More information on this can be found in the Annual Plan update report and financial statements. 

The rates increase for a property varies dependant on a range of factors including property valuation and services received.

As a part of the government’s Local Water Done Well programme, every council in New Zealand is required to implement a “Water Services Funding for Growth Policy” in order to meet new legislative requirements.

The policy describes current practice rather than introducing any new approaches. In some cases, the policy provides extra clarity in relation to existing practices.

Please phone (03) 211 1777 or email us at customer.service@icc.govt.nz, or use the Antenno app to report your issue. 

Our Customer Service team are available to respond to any issues from 8.30am to 4.30pm weekdays.

For urgent issues phone us 24 hours a day on (03) 211 1777.

As a part of a recent business case review, a recommendation was provided for all the Southland WasteNet councils to develop a policy around the provision of kerbside waste services.

This policy is relevant for any Invercargill property receiving Council kerbside waste services.

The policy formalises and codifies the current arrangements for kerbside waste collection as provided by Council through WasteNet Southland, rather than making any changes.

Please phone (03) 211 1777 or email us at customer.service@icc.govt.nz, or use the Antenno app to report your issue.

Our Customer Service team are available to respond to any issues from 8.30am to 4.30pm weekdays.

Information about the kerbside waste service, including what rubbish belongs in which bin, and collection days, is available on the ICC website.

From time to time, businesses want to hold an event or commercial activity in our parks and reserves. In order to make the decision process transparent and fair, we’ve drafted this policy to explain the matters that will be taken into account when our parks teams are approving bookings and setting corporate charges.

The policy clarifies the processes and expectations for commercial users of parks and reserves, it does not introduce new arrangements.

This policy only relates to commercial users of Invercargill City Council’s parks and reserves. The term “commercial” is defined by the policy as any activity or event undertaken for the purpose of profit or gain and includes carrying on a trade, occupation, or business, offering goods and/or services for money or exchange. Examples include mobile vendors, tour operators, commercial dog walkers, concerts, professional filming and photography, or festivals.

Please visit the Invercargill City Council website (Book a park, reserve or sportsground – InvercargilL City Council) to be taken to the booking platform.

Please visit the Invercargill City Council booking website (Book a park, reserve or sportsground - Invercargill City Council) to be taken to the booking platform.  Please note that the public generally has the right (in principle) to use Council’s parks and reserves, but certain types of events and activities require a booking, and some attract a charge. All the information is available on the booking site.

Even if a booking isn’t required for your activity, it’s recommended to make one anyway so our parks team can keep you updated about any issues which could affect you.

Please contact us at policy@icc.govt.nz or call us on 03 211 1777 and ask for the policy team.

The easiest way is to submit online at letstalk.icc.govt.nz  

Alternatively, you can pick up a submission form and drop one off to Te Hīnaki – Civic Building in Esk Street, the Invercargill Public Library or Bluff Service Centre. You can also email the Strategy, Policy and Engagement Team at policy@icc.govt.nz

Post: 

Submission – 2026/2027 Fees and Charges, and Associated Policies

Invercargill City Council 

Private Bag 90104 

Invercargill 9840 

Submissions are due by 5pm on 24 April 2027.

You can request accessible versions of any of our documents by contacting us via email to policy@icc.govt.nz, or by calling us on 03 211 1777.

Hearings are currently set for 5 May 2025. Please indicate whether you wish to be heard by the Council in your submission. You can also find us at various events, and contact us at any time on the usual channels if you have any questions.