WDC Long Term Plan discussion
Has anyone checked the rates calculator?
rates.waimakariri.govt.nz...
Depending on what options you select, it shows my rates will rise by 20.5% (5.1%/ annum over 4 years) with all options included, or 15.8%(3.9% over 4 years) with no options selected.
No matter what options you take, the percentage increases are well in excess of the CPI. The Reserve Bank inflation calculator shows the CPI increase since the year 2000 at 2.2%, or since 2012 1.1%. Councils around the country seem to think that the Ratepayer community is comfortable with annual increases up to 5%, so therefore aim for something slightly less and then look for applause from the ratepayers for such care!
If you ask Councils to justify the increase being in excess of the CPI, they always refer to the imported cost of Road materials which is probably bitumen products. We all know that oil based products have been much cheaper over the past few years - so why now the increase well in excess of the CPI? Maybe the CEO of Waimakariri District Council could answer this.
Poll: If we want to reduce speeding, what do you think actually changes driver behaviour? 🛻🚨🚓
In the Post's article on speeding penalties, the question is asked whether speeding fines are truly about road safety, or are they just a way to boost revenue for the Crown?
What do you think? Should speeding motorists receive speeding fines or demerit points?
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36.3% The sting of a fine (Money talks!)
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63.7% The threat of demerit points (Nobody wants to lose their license!)
Scam Alert: Bank cold calls
ASB is warning customers about reports of cold calls from scammers claiming to be from ASB. These scammers are trying to obtain personal information, including usernames, dates of birth, and verification codes sent to your mobile phone.
🛡️ The "Caller Check" Test
If you get a call from someone claiming to be from ASB and you’re unsure, just ask them for a Caller Check. You will then be able to verify the call through the app.
Remember, banks will:
❌ Never ask for your banking passwords, PINs, or verification codes
❌ Never need to know your full credit card number – especially the CVC
❌ Never ask you to download software or remotely access your device
❌ Never ask you to purchase gift cards or transfer funds.
If you have received a phone call and think your account has been compromised, call ASB on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372), or visit your local branch.
Some Choice News!
DOC is rolling out a new tool to help figure out what to tackle first when it comes to protecting our threatened species and the things putting them at risk.
Why does this matter? As Nikki Macdonald from The Post points out, we’re a country with around 4,400 threatened species. With limited time and funding, conservation has always meant making tough calls about what gets attention first.
For the first time, DOC has put real numbers around what it would take to do everything needed to properly safeguard our unique natural environment. The new BioInvest tool shows the scale of the challenge: 310,177 actions across 28,007 sites.
Now that we can see the full picture, it brings the big question into focus: how much do we, as Kiwis, truly value protecting nature — and what are we prepared to invest to make it happen?
We hope this brings a smile!
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