The council was not bringing in enough money to continue operating its services at the current rate as well as maintaining and renewing its assets, Ms Mai said. This year the average ratepayer handed the council about $1426 but if the plan goes ahead as it stands that would rise by about 9 per cent to $1554 next year.
The council proposes that each following year, until 2025, rates rise by 2 per cent on top of inflation.
Inflation is calculated according to the Local Government Cost Index, rather than the Consumer Price Index, and expected to range from 2.44-3.53 per cent over the 10 years.
The council collected $65 million in rates in the last year but if the increase went ahead, that would rise to $71 million next year.
By the end of the 10-year plan, according to the consultation document, the council would collect $119 million a year - almost double what it is now.
Ms Mai said the district council had the second-lowest rates in the country and even after the increases would remain low compared to other councils.
She said she would have preferred to see previous councils increase the rates rather than sell council assets and incur debt to make up any shortfall.
The council did not want more debt, she said.
"You would need to look at how that would impact on future generations."
The only asset proposed to be sold in the LTP is noted as the "Okara" site, for a price of $10.5 million in the 2016/17 year.
The Northern Advocate understands the land in question is on the Old Boys' Rugby Football Club site.
However, details of the portion of land marked for sale were not available at edition time.
Past proposals to sell land in that area for a higher amount fell through.
While the LTP focused on maintaining infrastructure, it proposed to spend $560 million on capital projects over the next 10 years.
Proposed was a new $17.6 million freshwater treatment plant, about $14 million in stormwater improvements, a theatre and conference centre costing $12 million and the potential development of a new airport costing up to $40 million.
While the council favours the rate-increase option, there are two other proposed options.
The second is for no rates rise, aside from the usual inflation, and a reduction in services such as library hours, road maintenance and fewer flowers in the city centre.
The third option is halfway between the first two - a smaller rates rise and a smaller reduction of services.
The Long Term Plan 2015-25 will be open for submissions from March 25-April 24. Public hearings will start on May 14, while a final plan is likely to be adopted by June 24.
