J
115 days ago

Lower Hutt Rates

Jenny from Petone

I am pleased that Mr Campbell Barry has stepped down. Since he has been in office, he has increased our rates by 70%. Initially there was a 40% increase because of increased house prices (I would argue that such a huge rise was not necessary), and since then there was the 17% last year and now a further 10%!! This is unconscionable, especially since it went across the struggle post covid and the economic difficulty in Wellington since many people were made redundant. The rates rises were not just for essential services either - millions were spent on the (unwanted) Petone parking meters (not essential) and the (unwanted) addition of water meters. The parking meters in Petone are a prime example of the City council not being interested in what their rate payers want! The hourly rate of $3 adds a lot to the cost of doing business in Petone. It would be a real shame if the greed of the Council leads to the destruction of Petone’s central business district! It would seem that the city Council is using us as an ATM to create ways of gouging us some more. They seem determined to bleed us dry and there seems to be no way of stopping them. As of next year they are going to charge us for water usage over and above our rates. This has got to stop. They are already taking almost half of my pension!
It would please me hugely if the new councillors we vote in show a concern for the wellbeing of their constituents. It would be lovely if they instituted a cap of 5% of total house value on the rates. Hopefully when the water meters kick in they will give us a rebate for the amount we would have paid for water services, so that the water metering does not add more to the already onerous amount we are paying them. Please make your vote count.

More messages from your neighbours
6 days ago

Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? πŸ’°πŸŒ²

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.

We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?

Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.

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Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? πŸ’°πŸŒ²
  • 53.5% Yes
    53.5% Complete
  • 46.5% No
    46.5% Complete
2008 votes
5 days ago

A riddle to start the festive season 🌲🎁🌟

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

I'm a fruit. If you take away my first letter, I'm a crime. If you take away my first two letters, I'm an animal. If you take away my first and last letter, I'm a form of music. What am I?

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!

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Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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5 hours ago

Line Dancing

Jane from Naenae

Hi Line Dancers.Putting up our 2nd to last line dancing for this Mon,at Nae nae Bowling Club with our beautiful Kathy 11:15am.This lady has had bells on her toes from her 1st steps an 74years later still going strong.Its not all about the line dancing its meeting new frenz an chatting about every day happenings.Next Mon, is our last until we re-open Feb,3rd.There will be a light luncheon an cuppa after our session to wind down.So come on all you cowboys an ladies @ $7 you get a gud work out.
See y'all there.