Porirua's proposed 17.5 percent rates increase is said to indicate a tough time in local government

Consultation opens tomorrow on the city's Long Term Plan -- a 10-year investment budget.

Fifty five percent of proposed spending's due to go towards water services.

Audit and Risk Committee Chair Warren Allen says a change in government plus an unstable economic environment has shifted things.

He says this, without a doubt, has been the most difficult environment to prepare a long term plan.