Ashburton rate rise signed off
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
An annual plan featuring an extra $1 million for roading and carrying a 5.9% average rate rise has been adopted in Ashburton.
The district council added $1m for extra roading rehabilitation to respond to community demands when it signed off the plan at Wednesday’s council meeting.
To include the additional road funding and keep the rates rise down, the council had a budget reshuffle that delayed about $1.3m of water main and wastewater renewals that were now unlikely to be completed by June 2024.
Councillor Carolyn Cameron described it as a reasonable plan and said councillors “have thought about things very carefully”.
In an economic climate of high inflation, Councillor Tony Todd said to “strike an average of 5.9% is a good outcome”.
The rates for next year “reaches a good balance recognising the services and benefits the people of our district receive”, councillor Richard Wilson said.
“It includes the $1m extra for roading which is trying to bring our roads up to the standard the people of the district desire.”
Ashburton mayor Neil Brown was away when the plan was signed off, but in the annual plan document said “roads are one of our most important assets – and the community has made it clear to us they want them to be a focus”.
With an eye on the Government’s three waters reform and the impending takeover, the council is set to install UV water treatment ($2.9m) along with the completion of the Methven/Methven-Springfield and the Mt Somers membrane treatment plants.
Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
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59.9% Yes, supporting people is important!
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25.7% No, individuals should take responsibility
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14.4% ... It is complicated
Poll: Do you have a go-to adverse-weather checklist for your family? ☔⚠️
As reported in the Press, the same low-pressure system that lashed the North Island over the weekend is now making its way south, bringing heavy rain and strong winds with it. It’s a soggy start to the week for many of us.
With more wild weather on the cards, we’re curious: do you have a go-to adverse-weather checklist for your family? Or are you more of a “grab the torches and hope for the best” household?
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33.3% Yes - we like to be prepared
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46.7% Nah
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20% This is on my to-do list!
A Neighbourly Riddle! Don’t Overthink It… Or Do?😜
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
If you multiply this number by any other number, the answer will always be the same. What number is this?
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