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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 27]
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 >>
Deputy Mayor ‘disgusted’ By Response To Georgina Beyer Sculpture
Thursday, 2 May 2024, 3:04 pm | Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
Beyer, who died last year, was elected mayor of Carterton in 1995, making her the world’s first openly transgender mayor. Carterton’s Deputy Mayor Dale Williams said he was “disgusted” by the comments his council had received regarding a ... More >>
Mount Maunganui’s Poor Air Quality Forces Rethink Of Industrial Sites
Wednesday, 1 May 2024, 5:15 pm | Alisha Evans - Local Democracy Reporter
Commission chair Anne Tolley said there was a “critical need” to find alternate sites for businesses that emit pollutants in the Mount Maunganui industrial area. A council-initiated review found modelling for PM10 contributed to an estimated 13 ... More >>
Former Northland Councillor Says Māori Wards Fine – If Polls Held
Wednesday, 1 May 2024, 5:09 pm | Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter
Northland was the first region in New Zealand to have all its councils introduce wards. Forty-two local government politicians led Northland’s four councils, which brought in the region’s first Māori wards in 2022. More >>
Seal Of Approval For Bike Skills Park Concept
Wednesday, 1 May 2024, 4:59 pm | Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter
The concept plans for the learn-to-ride cycling facility in the Ashburton Domain were approved by the Ashburton District Council on Wednesday. The design is estimated to cost around $454,000 to build and the working group is optimistic about raising ... More >>
‘How Has InfraCore Made It Through This Far?’: CCO Boss Explains $1m Deficit
Wednesday, 1 May 2024, 4:21 pm | Laura Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
Rotorua Lakes Council-controlled business InfraCore has a $1 million deficit amid struggles to complete projects and an aging vehicle fleet needing replacement. More >>
‘Monumental’: Funding Secured To Fix And Reopen Rotorua Museum
Tuesday, 30 April 2024, 5:30 pm | Laura Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
Construction to reopen Rotorua’s iconic museum will begin in June as the council secures the final funding needed and brings down the total cost. Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa closed due to earthquake risk in 2016. Restoring it was initially ... More >>
