Council's proposal

What is Council proposing and why?

You can read the full list of Council’s proposed fees and charges, which shows the current price, amount of change, new price, and what the change is based in our schedule of proposed 2025/26 fees and charges. Or you can read a physical copy at the Council building, 260 Anglesea Street, Hamilton, and all Hamilton City Libraries branches.

A summary of the key changes is provided below.

  • No changes to 19% of our fees and charges

    Council is proposing to keep a number of fees and charges the same as the current price. This includes entry fees to our visitor destinations (Hamilton Gardens, Hamilton Zoo, and Exscite at Te Whare Taonga o Waikato). There are no proposed changes to fees for borrowing paid items from our libraries, nor the charges for overdue items.

    There are other fees and charges that are set through central government legislation. Central government has not directed any changes to existing fees and charges.

  • New fees and charges

    Some new fees and charges are proposed to be introduced for new services Council has not provided previously, or where fees are proposed to be combined to make them more consistent, affordable or simple for our customers.

    We have highlighted some that apply to the use of our sports fields.

  • Removing some fees and charges

    Some existing fees and charges are proposed to be removed where Council will no longer provide the service, or where a new fee replaces an existing fee(s) or charge(s).

  • Adjusting for inflation

    Around half of Council’s fees and charges are proposed to increase (with rounding up or down) by the inflation rate we set in the 2024-34 Long-Term Plan.

  • Other increases

    The drivers for increases that are not inflation-adjusted include:

    • benchmarking against what residents in other cities pay
    • reflecting the actual cost of the service provided
    • contracts with suppliers
    • a change to how the fee or charge is applied.

Fees and charges by Council service

Fees that are set by legislation or through contracts are not reflected here. This information is provided as a summary only – please refer to the full fees and charges schedule for more detail. Charges relating to animal education and control are omitted from the proposed 2025/26 Fees and Charges Schedule for consultation, as dog registration fees are required to be invoiced prior to the end of the current financial year.

The fees and charges for alcohol services will depend on the outcome of consultation on a proposed new Alcohol Fees Bylaw.

Where a change is proposed, it is to increase by inflation (with rounding up or down). A new fee for an urgent Certificate of Public Use is proposed.

Where a change is proposed, it is to increase by inflation (with rounding up or down). The outdoor dining and outdoor signage is proposed to change from a one-year fee to a three-year fee.

Where a change is proposed, it is to increase by inflation (with rounding up or down). Three new fees are proposed to remedy gaps in the schedule.

Where a change is proposed, it is to increase by inflation (with rounding up or down).

Where a change is proposed, it is to increase by inflation (with rounding up or down).

No changes to the entry fees for these facilities.

Where a change is proposed, it is to increase by inflation (with rounding up or down). A new fee ($121 per month overdue) is proposed to discourage deferrals of scheduled verification audits. New legistlated levy which will apply to food businesses.

No change to most fees. Four increases (three apply to non-residents only) are proposed to align with industry benchmarks. Room booking fees proposed to change to streamline these across the various library locations.

Where a change to existing fees is proposed, it is to increase by inflation (with rounding up or down).


Some new and/or combined fees are proposed:

Introducing a floodlighting fee – this fee is to cover a portion of the cost of operating floodlights at our parks. Staff have undertaken benchmarking against other councils and clubs, considered actual floodlighting costs over the past year, and consulted with WAIBOP football. Our recommendation is at the lower end of benchmarked fees.


Introducing a communal area fee – this charge will be for use of the new communal spaces at Bremworth Park and Steele Park. It would also apply to any other communal spaces introduced in the future.


Amalgamating the winter sports training and competition fee – this is consistent with the summer fee structure and makes the booking process simpler for our users.


Introducing a junior fee for summer sports – this ensures consistency with the winter fee structure and makes participation more affordable for our users.


In line with the Hamilton Parking Policy, demand responsive pricing (DRP) for off-street parking is proposed. DRP for off street parking will optimise carpark occupancy and will compliment DRP for on street parking that was adopted through the Long-Term Plan fees and charges. For on-street parking, the minimum hourly charge range limit for demand responsive pricing parks will reduce from $6 to $3 to also optimise carpark occupancy in some areas. New monthly fees for Opoia Paa and Kent St carparks are proposed.

Where a change is proposed, it is to increase by inflation (with rounding up or down). New fees are proposed to provide full or partial consent surrenders, three waters connection compliance assessments, and an hourly rate for graduate planners.

Where a change is proposed, it is to increase by inflation (with rounding up or down).

Most fees and charges are proposed to increase to align with industry benchmarks. Some new fees are proposed for additional services or membership packages.

Most fees and charges are proposed to increase by inflation (with rounding up or down). Other increases and some new fees are proposed to more accurately reflect the staff time involved in providing a service. New fees also proposed for applications to access three waters assets, and shut down the drinking water network.

Where a change is proposed, it is to increase by inflation (with rounding up or down). A new fee is proposed for when a road closure application is not submitted within the 42-day timeframe.

Legislation

Section 150 of the Local Government Act 2002 (LGA) lets councils set fees and charges for consents and other processes, as provided for under bylaws made under the LGA or by other legislation which does not specifically authorise the making of such fees. Any fees and charges set under this provision must be consulted on first.

Section 36 of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA), section 205 of the Food Act 2014, section 37 of the Dog Control Act 1996 and sections 219 and 240 of the Building Act 2004 also lets council set fees and charges in relation to functions exercised under those Acts. The RMA and Food Act specifically require the special consultative procedure to be used before any such fees are set.

This Statement of Proposal has been prepared to fulfil the purposes of sections 82, 82A, 83(1)(a) and 87(2)(a) of the Local Government Act 2002. The review of Council’s fees and charges is also pursuant to:

  • Building Act 2004
  • Dog Control Act 1996
  • Food Act 2014
  • Health Act 1956
  • Impounding Act 1955
  • Local Government and Official Information and Meetings Act 1987
  • Local Government Act 2002
  • Resource Management Act 1991

    • Have your say

    • Councils often review their fees and charges to make sure they are fair and represent the right portion of our total revenue.
    • Fees and charges are an important contributor to council’s finances, and help to offset what’s collected through rates.
    • As one of the few revenue tools available to councils, fees and charges are applied where a ‘user pays’ approach is appropriate.
    • Around half of our fees and charges are proposed to increase by a standard rate of inflation - 3.2%. There are a few increases proposed that reflect the true cost to deliver the service, or that are based on what residents in other cities pay for the service.
    • Have your say on the proposed fees and charges from 24 March to 27 April.
    • The revised fees and charges will apply from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026.