4% rate increase tipped

Initial fears that rates might increase by more than double the projected 3.6% have dissipated as the Christchurch City Council moves through its annual plan process.

Annual plan sub-committee chairman Alister James told The Press yesterday that he was happy with efforts to keep rates down.

Although the budget process was far from being completed James said the increase would not be "too far off" the 3.6% predicted last year.

"I am quite pleased with the way it's developing," James said.

"There are some fairly big projects which we are looking at and so there certainly is an increase in costs."

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