Canterbury residents should prepare for a rates increase

Environment Canterbury Chair Jenny Hughey says they intend to consult ratepayers on two options to increase regional activity across all areas of the council's responsibility.

She says things like delivering on new requirements for water supply, are expensive

Of the two options for consultation, Option 1 represents work costing more than 246-million dollars - about 46-million more than this year.

It will deliver all work required by the government

Option 2 represents work costing more than 240-million dollars - about 40-million more than this year, but delaying some of the required work.