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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 172]
‘No Show’ Rotorua Lakes Council Fails To Submit On SNAs
Thursday, 23 April 2020, 3:17 pm | Felix Desmarais - Local Democracy Reporter
Farmers are “disappointed” after Rotorua Lakes Council failed to independently submit on a piece of government policy they say could result in a six per cent increase in rates. But the council says Local Government NZ submitted on its behalf and it ... More >>
Lockdown Dog Incidents On The Rise
Friday, 3 April 2020, 3:49 pm | Marcus Anselm - Local Democracy Reporter
An increase in dog attacks in Masterton since the covid-19 lockdown has led to a call for "common sense" from the district council's environmental leader. Three people have suffered attacks from dogs in the last two weeks, and one dog has ... More >>
First Carterton District Mayor Dies
Friday, 3 April 2020, 3:26 pm | Marcus Anselm - Local Democracy Reporter
Barry Keys, who died on Tuesday aged 82, will be remembered as the glue that kept Carterton District Council together at its foundation. Keys was the district council’s first leader after local government reforms in 1989. Alongside the new councillors ... More >>
Coronavirus: Rates ‘freeze’ Considered For Marlborough To Reduce Economic Impact
Thursday, 19 March 2020, 4:42 pm | Chloe Ranford - Local Democracy Reporter
Marlborough District Council chief executive Mark Wheeler provides an update to councillors on the coronavirus pandemic. CREDIT: CHLOE RANFORD/LDR An idea to "freeze" rates has been pitched by Marlborough's civic leaders to show "responsible leadership" ... More >>
Governing From Home: Self-isolating Mayor’s “biggest Challenge”
Tuesday, 17 March 2020, 3:14 pm | Felix Desmarais - Local Democracy Reporter
Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick at her home on Tuesday. Photo / Stephen Parker / Rotorua Daily Post [via LDR: single use only] Despite being a “social animal” Rotorua’s Mayor has gone into voluntary self-isolation amid an escalation of measures to stop ... More >>
Plea For DHB To Bring Back School GPs
Monday, 16 March 2020, 10:31 am | Aaron van Delden - Local Democracy Reporter
Young people in Gisborne are calling on the district health board to reverse its decision to pull the pin on free school-based GP appointments – and they have the backing of at least one board member. The Gisborne Girls’ High School year 12 health ... More >>
‘Where’s My Money?’: Parking App Down, And Would-be Parkers Want Answers
Wednesday, 11 March 2020, 4:01 pm | Chloe Ranford - Local Democracy Reporter
A parking app used by several New Zealand councils has gone offline, with councils scrambling for a quick fix amid social media backlash. The PayMyPark smartphone app was this week flagged as "experiencing technical issues" in Marlborough, ... More >>
Council Weighing Up Ways To Reuse Wastewater
Wednesday, 11 March 2020, 3:56 pm | Aaron van Delden - Local Democracy Reporter
Sufficiently treated wastewater can be used to irrigate agricultural land, such as the Poverty Bay flats. Photo: Liam Clayton / The Gisborne Herald - single use only Treated wastewater from Gisborne’s upgraded sewage treatment plant will be ... More >>
Airport Spend Adds To Rate Rise
Wednesday, 11 March 2020, 3:51 pm | Marcus Anselm - Local Democracy Reporter
Masterton District Council has proposed significant investment at the town's Hood Aerodrome. PHOTO/WAIRARAPA TIMES-AGE/FILE Council-led development of Masterton Airport will improve Wairarapa’s resilience and its bid for a return to commuter flights, ... More >>
Regional Council Prepares For Worst-case Drought
Wednesday, 11 March 2020, 3:35 pm | Charlotte Jones - Local Democracy Reporter
In times of drought, the regional council could restrict the right to take water from aquifers and rivers across the region. At an extraordinary council meeting held yesterday morning, Bay of Plenty Regional Council elected members approved a process ... More >>
Bike Walk Marlborough ‘Runs Its Course’
Wednesday, 11 March 2020, 3:31 pm | Chloe Ranford - Local Democracy Reporter
Council walking and cycling co-ordinator Braden Prideaux says dissolving the Bike Walk Marlborough Trust frees up more time for him and volunteer trustees. CREDIT: CHLOE RANFORD/LDR A walking and cycling group in Marlborough has decided to wind ... More >>
Whitebaiters Wait On Survey
Wednesday, 11 March 2020, 3:21 pm | Marcus Anselm - Local Democracy Reporter
Diane Laing says the ongoing whitebait consultation needed better timing and more communication. PHOTO/WAIRARAPA-TIMES-AGE/FILE Lifelong Wairarapa whitebaiters are waiting to hear the results of a long-running consultation on the future of the catch ... More >>
Land-based Kingfish Aquaculture Pilot Brings Major NZ Opportunity
Monday, 9 March 2020, 10:57 am | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
Kingfish swim in a tank at the NIWA Marine Research Centre at Bream Bay, south of Whangarei. A $19.8M on-land aquaculture venture is to be set up at the site to serve as a model for others to get into the industry in the same way. Northland’s major ... More >>
UPDATE: Wairoa Council Preparing For Virus Lockdown
Thursday, 5 March 2020, 5:02 pm | Aaron van Delden - Local Democracy Reporter
It is more than 10,000km from the epicentre of a coronavirus outbreak, but Wairoa District Council is preparing for a potential lockdown. Council staff will this weekend test whether they can use council IT systems remotely, in case an outbreak of the ... More >>
‘Social Deprivation’ A Factor In Lakes DHB Deficit – CEO
Thursday, 5 March 2020, 4:26 pm | Felix Desmarais - Local Democracy Reporter
The head of the Lakes District Health Board says social deprivation is a significant driver behind its deficit of nearly $6.4 million in the year to date, and a public health expert says the inequalities are the result of neo-liberal reforms. In December, ... More >>
SWDC Takes Short Term Pain For Farm Gain
Thursday, 5 March 2020, 4:23 pm | Marcus Anselm - Local Democracy Reporter
Repairs to a major South Wairarapa District Council [SWDC] property asset have taken a bite out of the estate’s profits. Work on upgrades to Pain Farm near Martinborough has limited the income generated by its tenancy. The estate is the single, most-valuable ... More >>
Districts Step Up Virus Plans
Thursday, 5 March 2020, 4:16 pm | Marcus Anselm - Local Democracy Reporter
As central government confirmed a second case of coronavirus in New Zealand, Carterton and Masterton District Councils have taken further steps to manage a potential pandemic. Local authorities, major event organisers, and other organisations are monitoring ... More >>
Nixon Welcomes People Power
Thursday, 5 March 2020, 4:09 pm | Marcus Anselm - Local Democracy Reporter
Tina Nixon says Masterton District Council’s forthcoming consultation on its big issues offers a chance for people power. The Masterton public will get a chance to comment on its annual plan later this month. The big-ticket items will be the future ... More >>
Camping Fines Add Up In Busy Summer
Thursday, 5 March 2020, 4:05 pm | Aaron van Delden - Local Democracy Reporter
The 2019/20 summer season has proven to be a busy one for Gisborne District Council, with big increases in freedom camping infringements and requests for service. The council has issued 41 fines to people who have flouted its freedom camping bylaw ... More >>
The Truth About SNAs
Thursday, 5 March 2020, 3:56 pm | Lois Williams - Local Democracy Reporter
The trouble all stems from the government's new National Policy Statements on indigenous biodiversity and freshwater management. Councils will have to give effect to these by listing significant natural areas and wetlands in district and regional plans, ... More >>
