At a full Council meeting in Dunedin yesterday, Council’s financial reports for the 9-month period to 31 March 2026 were presented and noted by Councillors.

ORC’s Portfolio lead for finance Cr Chanel Gardner says at a headline level, the result shows ORC remains in a strong financial position at a time when many councils around the country are under considerable pressure.

Year-to-date, Council is reporting a surplus of $9.469 million, which is approximately $6.959 million ahead of budget, with the full year forecast currently sitting at a surplus of $7.252 million.

Cr Gardner says the key drivers of that variance are largely timing-related, particularly planning underspend where work is currently on hold, the $2 million Large Scale Environment Fund shifting into next year, favourable public transport performance, and timing differences across flood, drainage and river management programmes.

Capital expenditure also remains under budget year-to-date, primarily reflecting the timing of flood and drainage works programmes, Cr Gardner says.

The papers also highlight continued balance sheet strength, including managed funds sitting at approximately $31.4 million at quarter end, with the financial markets already recovering following late-quarter international volatility.

“More broadly though, these reports reflect an organisation increasingly focused on long-term thinking, disciplined delivery, and pragmatic financial management during what is arguably one of the biggest periods of change for local government and environmental management in decades,” Cr Gardner says.

“I also think they reflect a very clear governance focus on core business, achievable outcomes for communities, and ensuring ORC enters the Long-Term Plan process from a position of financial resilience and stability,” she says.

Policy & Planning expenditure is under budget year to date and forecast to maintain that trend, with the full year underspend forecast at $3.533 million across the 3 planning activities. The forecast also assumes the $2 million Large Scale Fund will not be spent.

Cr Gardner says “Overall, these are strong results, and I suspect many councils nationally would be pleased to be presenting a similar position right now."