Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Council sticks to the plan

MEDIA RELEASE

27 June 2019

Council sticks to the plan

For 2019/20, Waikato Regional Council has stuck closely to the programme it signalled in its long term plan adopted in June last year.

The council today approved the 2019/20 Annual Plan – it’s the first time the council has agreed on an annual budget and work programme without seeking feedback from the public.

“We consulted extensively on our 10 year plan and, with no significant changes, the Local Government Act now enables us to set the budget without further consultation,” says Waikato Regional Council chairman Alan Livingston.

The $100.983 million budget means an average rates increase of 4.5 per cent for all properties (excluding targeted rates) – slightly below that proposed in the 2018-2028 Long Term Plan.

As signalled in the long term plan, average targeted rates have risen 11.2 per cent, mainly driven by increases in rates for biosecurity, public transport (Hamilton only) and catchment work.

For biosecurity, more funding is being put into pest control, including management of possums, wallabies and kauri dieback. The regional council is collecting rates from Hamilton City ratepayers for the Hamilton-Auckland passenger rail service, which is expected to start in mid-2020, while more flood protection work has been requested by landowners in the Lower Waikato and Waihou-Piako catchments.

While preparatory work for construction of the Waikato Regional Theatre is due to begin in 2019/20, there will be no rating impact for regional ratepayers in the coming financial year. Hamilton ratepayers have been excluded because they will contribute via Hamilton City Council.

Ratepayers will be able to find rates information specific to their property at waikatoregion.govt.nz/ratescalculator from early July 2019.


Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.