Rates rises could be huge....
Everyone in Tauranga is urged to make submissions to Council for the Long Term Plan. We are not happy that the Commissioners are suggesting the rates rises should average 16.9% this year, with forecast increases in the following years resulting in a total 140% increase over 10 years!!!
Look at Wellington - the aging infrastructure is causing serious water and sewage problems, they have had sewage leaks and water geysers erupting in the streets. But Wellington Council have just decided that they shouldn't increase their rates by a "whopping" 16%, saying that would have been "completely unrealistic and a step too far". Instead they have decided on 13.5%, still high for those on fixed incomes.
We think that the Tauranga Council needs to seriously reconsider how best to manage the situation here. If you agree, please let the Council know.
Poll: Does the building consent process need to change?
We definitely need homes that are fit to live in but there are often frustrations when it comes to getting consent to modify your own home.
Do you think changes need made to the current process for building consent? Share your thoughts below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
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91.4% Yes
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8.1% No
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0.5% Other - I'll share below!
Lest we forget...
On this ANZAC Day, let's take a moment to remember and honor the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve our country.
Tell us who are you honouring today. Whether it's a story from the battlefield or a memory of a family member who fought in the war, we'd love you to share your stories below.
Unelected commissioners recommend they stay in power
Interesting responses to my post. Two in particular piqued my interest. Suzanne Williams and her comments about whinging about everything-Suzanne it is not about whinging. It is more about raising concerns about an undemocratic regime forced on us and then seeing the commissioners wanting to keep their sinecure. Greg Reardon "I vote to keep the commissioners"-Greg the point is that you do not have a vote. Look I get it-democracy is imperfect. Some of our previously elected councillors were rubbish-ego driven and feeding from the trough (not unlike our commissioners). But it is what we have got. It is better to have an imperfect democracy than an unelected and unaccountable cartel of commissioners who say "we know what is good for you".