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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 164]
‘We’ve Got Nowhere To Go’ – Homeless In Whakatāne
Wednesday, 8 May 2024, 4:59 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
As nights get colder, people living on Whakatāne streets are more noticeable than in previous years. Local Democracy Reporting [The Beacon] spoke to a couple who have been sleeping on the footpath outside shops on Goulstone Road for several weeks. More >>
‘Completely Unacceptable’: Richmond Roadworkers Copping Daily Abuse
Wednesday, 8 May 2024, 4:56 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
Contractors working on Richmond's Wensley Road are facing daily abuse from the public, including a serious incident where an angry motorist drove right up to a supervisor's legs. 21 serious incidents have been reported to supervisors at the site. More >>
Councillors Face Criticism After Mayor’s Sidelining
Wednesday, 8 May 2024, 4:51 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Tensions remain high in South Wairarapa following the sidelining of the district’s Mayor Martin Connelly, with public participation being shut down during meeting due to a breach of the rules. Earlier, Connelly was stripped of membership roles on various ... More >>
South Wairarapa Council Approves Extra $1.01m For Water Works
Wednesday, 8 May 2024, 4:48 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
The vote passed narrowly at a meeting with councillors Aaron Woodcock, Pip Maynard, Colin Olds, and Mayor Martin Connelly voting against it. Approving the $1.01m will result in a 0.3 per cent rates rise impact for the coming financial year, compared ... More >>
‘Transport Disadvantaged’: Inequity Proving A Barrier In Invercargill
Tuesday, 7 May 2024, 6:45 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
The issue was highlighted at an Invercargill City Council infrastructure services committee meeting on Tuesday, where public transport fares were discussed. More >>
Northland: Free Water Tanks Build Resilience For Remote Rural Communities
Tuesday, 7 May 2024, 4:56 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
Almost 100 free new water tanks have changed lives and built drought resilience for vulnerable isolated rural communities in Northland. The new tanks have been installed in response to the region’s 2019/2020 drought which exposed significant water poverty. More >>
Council Expert Loses Count Of His Various Jobs
Tuesday, 7 May 2024, 4:53 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Former assistant auditor general Bruce Robertson is in the unique position of not knowing exactly how many jobs he has. But one thing he does know — he still has plenty to keep him busy when he finishes up at Invercargill City Council next month. ... More >>
Carterton Council Pays $1.1m Over CV For Land
Tuesday, 7 May 2024, 4:50 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
The council had paid above “market value” to secure the property which would prove invaluable to the council’s wastewater strategy going forward, Carterton Mayor Ron Mark said. Of the $4.5m purchase price, $3.6m will be loan-funded and serviced ... More >>
Tauranga Subdivision Needs $400m Roads. Who Will Pay For It?
Tuesday, 7 May 2024, 11:40 am | Alisha Evans - Local Democracy Reporter
Tauranga's council could face a “substantive funding gap” for new roads aimed at unlocking much needed housing in the city's east. More >>
Farmer Fumes Over Ecan Chairperson’s ‘Hypocrisy’
Tuesday, 7 May 2024, 7:48 am | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
During a recent interview with Newstalk ZB, Scott said two of his consent applications for irrigation had been delayed by another government agency for six years. More >>
South Wairarapa Concerned About Wellington Water’s ‘Pattern Of Overspend’
Monday, 6 May 2024, 7:32 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Approving an additional $530k means essential capital work can continue to be done but there would still be flow-on effects to the council’s 2024-25 Enhanced Annual Plan, council staff said. More >>
South Auckland Will Be ‘hit Hard’ By Congestion Charging
Monday, 6 May 2024, 4:29 pm | Alka Prasad - Local Democracy Reporter
South Auckland residents will be hit hard by proposed congestion charging due to a lack of reliable and affordable public transport, local board representatives say. Auckland Council’s draft long-term plan (LTP) proposes to introduce road charges ... More >>
Carterton Events Centre Viability At Risk
Monday, 6 May 2024, 4:26 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Carterton councillors are concerned for the viability of their events centre, should neighbouring Masterton District Council forge ahead with a 700-seater town hall replacement. Masterton’s earthquake-prone town hall has been closed since 2016 and many events ... More >>
Empowered Disabled Community Strengthens Emergency Response
Monday, 6 May 2024, 4:03 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
A Northland disability sector emergency response mentor says a better empowered disabled sector strengthens the community’s collective resilience. Northland Civil Defence welfare co-ordination group member Nicole Ross spoke to 300 people at the Northland ... More >>
South Wairarapa Mayor Not Backing Down
Friday, 3 May 2024, 5:46 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
South Wairarapa Mayor Martin Connelly has returned from a two-month leave of absence to a council he remains at odds with. Last year Connelly was granted a leave of absence to deal with “wellbeing issues” and to work with a mediator to address a raft ... More >>
Wairarapa Tourism Operators Make Plea To Councils
Friday, 3 May 2024, 5:43 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
As Long-Term Plan consultations draw to a close, Wairarapa tourism operators are urging councils to continue their support of Destination Wairarapa [DW]. They have also written to the councils outlining the reason they believe it is essential for ... More >>
South Auckland Local Boards: LTP Feedback ‘not Significant Reflection Of The Community’
Friday, 3 May 2024, 5:38 pm | Alka Prasad - Local Democracy Reporter
Local boards across Auckland are getting ready to present community feedback for Mayor Wayne Brown’s proposed long-term plan (LTP), with two South Auckland local boards working to balance community interests in their decision. Auckland Council ... More >>
Hope For Southland Lagoon After Toxic Algae Threat
Friday, 3 May 2024, 5:33 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
The impacts of a cyanobacterial bloom at a Southland lagoon won’t be known for some time, but the water has been restored. Waituna Lagoon — a wetland of international significance — had to be opened to the ocean in January due to the threat of the ... More >>
West Coast DOC Boss Ponders Cave Creek Disaster Daily
Thursday, 2 May 2024, 5:35 pm | Brendon McMahon - Local Democracy Reporter
As he reflects on a long career, West Coast DOC boss Mark Davies notes the impact of the darkest of days for the Department: the Cave Creek disaster. The Cave Creek disaster occurred on 28 April 1995 when a viewing platform in Paparoa National Park ... More >>
‘Time To Take It To Bits’: Town Clock Set For Shift, Refurbishment
Thursday, 2 May 2024, 3:41 pm | Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter
Invercargill’s town clock is likely on the move, albeit about 23 metres. The structure will remain in Wachner Place but be closer to Dee St as part of upgrades to Esk St West, where a new hotel is being built. More >>
