A city councillor says more can be done to stop Wellington's rates rising further.

Draft council budget figures predict 15.9 percent rises for the 2025-26 financial year - with a portion for wastewater treatment included, dubbed the sludge levy.

Councillor Tony Randle says there's still time to make cuts, or ratepayers will feel the pain.

"This is just bad news for a council, really, that says it's trying to make hard decisions - but it hasn't made hard decisions."

Mayor Tory Whanau is promising staff are aiming to reduce the increase.

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