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The next Lunchtime Concert at Whiteley Memorial Church is this Friday 6th August at 12.15pm. Dominique Blatti, Philippa Drinkwater (vocal) & Barbara Mitchell (recorders) will perform music through the centuries including both popular and contemporary classics. Tea, coffee and cakes available, … View moreThe next Lunchtime Concert at Whiteley Memorial Church is this Friday 6th August at 12.15pm. Dominique Blatti, Philippa Drinkwater (vocal) & Barbara Mitchell (recorders) will perform music through the centuries including both popular and contemporary classics. Tea, coffee and cakes available, Koha appreciated. Bring along your friends for a casual, enjoyable concert.
Hello. I have a 4 bedroom + 2 bathroom house for rent. Also storage sheds and chicken coop. Lots of space, including deck. Large double garage with fenced section. Spotswood/Whalers Gate area. Close to amenities and bus stop. Nice outdoors area as well for entertaining in spring/summer. Available … View moreHello. I have a 4 bedroom + 2 bathroom house for rent. Also storage sheds and chicken coop. Lots of space, including deck. Large double garage with fenced section. Spotswood/Whalers Gate area. Close to amenities and bus stop. Nice outdoors area as well for entertaining in spring/summer. Available in 2 weeks
If you dont know about 3-Waters and what it proposes, read on -
Part of an opinion piece by the Mayor of Westland District (and good on him) - www.nzcpr.com...
At the recent LGNZ conference.......... The Mayors were informed by Minister Mahuta that councils have until the end of September 2021 to… View moreIf you dont know about 3-Waters and what it proposes, read on -
Part of an opinion piece by the Mayor of Westland District (and good on him) - www.nzcpr.com...
At the recent LGNZ conference.......... The Mayors were informed by Minister Mahuta that councils have until the end of September 2021 to advise government if they are in or out of the proposed three waters reform structure.
Mayors were also informed that information which has not been received at present would be supplied by government via the Department of Internal Affairs and sent to councils for consideration during August/September.
Councils are required by the Local Government Act to consult with its ratepayers when strategic asset purchases or disposals are being considered.
I can’t speak for other councils, but Westland will need at least 3 months upon the receipt of the information to engage experts and receive their advice on the merits and risks of the transfer of assets as proposed by government.
This will then go to ratepayers for consultation and seeking of submissions.
My view is that because of the implications of transferring over a quarter of Council’s total assets at below valuation there is only one safe road to take.
I will be advocating for a binding referendum to go out to the people of Westland seeking direction on in or out. It’s called democracy.
It’s hard to imagine how any council in New Zealand will be able to make a decision without the clear direction a referendum will bring.
Discussion occurred about what information ratepayers would require, to make a decision as at present they are 100% in the dark and will only know what has been read in the media, much of which is spin doctor sourced.
The first information required from any ratepayer that has not been in the papers:
What do I pay now?
What will I pay if this proposal is mandated?
I can only talk about Westland.
At present a household pays $527.40 pa water rates.
A commercial business pays $927.12 pa water rates.
If the proposal is mandated households will pay $1,640 to the water supplier for their water.
We have not been told what a commercial user will be charged by the water supplier.
Households need to know if the $1,640 is plus GST or inclusive of GST as 99% are not registered for GST.
Another question that ratepayers will need answered is will the $1,640 dollars account they received from the water supplier come off my current rates bill?
The answer is a firm NO.
If your WDC household rates are say $3,000, the $527.40 for water you pay at present will come off your rates from Council.
Your rates will drop to $2,472.60 and at the same time you will receive an account from the water supplier for $1,640.
Your cost today is $3,000 which includes water.
Your total cost if the proposal is mandated will be $4,112.60 and that’s an increase of 37%.
The mayors talked a lot about democracy and the loss of localism which needs to be considered.
Perhaps we should consider how much influence coasters have with say NZTA.
All Councils have had the NZTA roading contribution this year reduced by a minimum of 10% due to a government directive to put road user charges into rail networks and cycleways.
Health services on the coast now have no direct local input. Its government controlled.
The Tai Poutini Polytechnic now has no direct local input. Its government controlled.
Education is 100% completely controlled from Wellington. Its government controlled.
Social housing is 100% controlled out of Wellington. Its government controlled.
The coast has a serious shortage of social housing and no sign of this being rectified.
Now the proposal is to take all three water assets from the people of Westland, to have them transferred to one of four water supply companies.
There will be no tangible compensation. Households will pay much more for water with no control of future costs.
The government keeps repeating the PR team’s key message “we have proven the case for change”.
Government keeps referring to the one event where a failure that occurred in Hastings which had never occurred before or after in New Zealand and is no-where near a justification for change.
There is discussion going on around New Zealand about the removal of control and assets for three waters from councils. Assets which generations of families have paid for with hard earned cash.
What’s proposed seems to fly in the face of our New Zealand democracy and way of life.
I will try and summarise as at 24th of July my journey to date.
The case for change has not been proven.
The water quality bar has been set at a level unaffordable to New Zealanders – this is evidenced by the increased cost they will be invoiced by the water regulator to every household.
One size does not fit all.
The loss of local control and influence feels like a step too far.
Confiscation of assets paid for and built up over generations with no compensation will struggle to gain public support.
Some say the proposal to give a right of VETO to Maori who make up 16.7% of the population is undemocratic and will find little support. It follows closely the objectives set out in the HE PUAPUA report.
The borrowing of up to $160 billion by the new proposed entities using the assets transferred from our councils and paid for by generations of New Zealanders as security feels reckless.
If it’s aimed at increasing borrowing in New Zealand away from government’s balance sheet it is going to struggle to get support.
The time frames being urgently pursued by government suggest this is not about three waters. If it was why the urgency?
What other councils do around New Zealand is up to them however a public referendum in every district would allow our residents and ratepayers who have along with their families over generations paid for these three water assets and on that basis the decision to opt in or out must come directly from them.
Do you know a family member, friend, school or community group working to protect our environment?
Nominations are open for this year’s Taranaki Regional Council Environmental Awards, which recognise efforts to protect and enhance the environment – at any scale from neighbourhood to … View moreDo you know a family member, friend, school or community group working to protect our environment?
Nominations are open for this year’s Taranaki Regional Council Environmental Awards, which recognise efforts to protect and enhance the environment – at any scale from neighbourhood to regional. Learn more now!
This old kitchen had no life left in it and needed to be removed. The renovation also involved removing the bay window and replacing it with a bifold door and building a covered deck area which allows the home owner to have an outdoor entertainment area for all seasons.
Dear neighbours,
Please meet Alyce Read of Nelson, who uses her houseplant collection to connect with others and help them overcome mental health challenges. "You wouldn’t take a plant and put it in a dark corner and fail to water it and expect it to thrive. So we should look at ourselves … View moreDear neighbours,
Please meet Alyce Read of Nelson, who uses her houseplant collection to connect with others and help them overcome mental health challenges. "You wouldn’t take a plant and put it in a dark corner and fail to water it and expect it to thrive. So we should look at ourselves that way," she says. "If we are not thriving in the way that we would wish, it might not be any fault of ours, it might be the conditions that we are under."
All it takes is a kind gesture to change someone’s day. From giving flowers to a neighbour ‘just because’ to paying it forward in line at a cafe - this month we’re encouraging our members and supporters to make New Zealand a better place one random act of kindness at a time.
The options … View moreAll it takes is a kind gesture to change someone’s day. From giving flowers to a neighbour ‘just because’ to paying it forward in line at a cafe - this month we’re encouraging our members and supporters to make New Zealand a better place one random act of kindness at a time.
The options for doing so are endless! Being kind doesn’t have to cost a thing, after all a smile is free. For those who want to go the extra mile, here’s some other ideas: take a gift over to new neighbours and introduce yourself, build a free community library for your street, buy extra kai at the grocery store to donate to a food bank, bring treats into work for colleagues, send an encouraging text to someone who needs it, let a car into the traffic ahead of you, write positive messages in chalk on sidewalks around your neighbourhood, or surprise loved ones with a visit.
Want to share your thoughts? Let us know how you’re spreading kindness this month by tagging us in your social media posts or emailing us your photos, videos, or experiences to:
info@neighbourhoodsupport.co.nz
Hi, I am needing an outdoor umbrella for our wee table. Ideally with a stand, but can 'kiwi ingenuity' one to suit. Thanks.
Presenting the third in our series of Connecting You promo videos!
Big, big thanks to;
Towards Predator-Free Taranaki - IoT is the Internet of Things, our LoRa wireless network is used for trap monitoring towards eradication of predators in Taranaki.
New Plymouth BMX and RAVENS INLINE HOCKEY … View morePresenting the third in our series of Connecting You promo videos!
Big, big thanks to;
Towards Predator-Free Taranaki - IoT is the Internet of Things, our LoRa wireless network is used for trap monitoring towards eradication of predators in Taranaki.
New Plymouth BMX and RAVENS INLINE HOCKEY part our locals supporting locals family with sponsorship.
TSB Festival of Lights - proud sponsor of this fantastic community event.
Airspresso - fabulous place to relax while waiting at the airport for your arrivals or departures.
Click the 'Read More' to watch the video.
Advertise your entry-level and apprentice roles with Competenz through our online job board, we have pre-qualified and motivated jobseekers ready to match with your organisation.
Find your next apprentice with Competenz!
Free to a good home - good condition - pickup to be arranged from Surf highway storage
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