Latest news with #HamiltonCityCouncil
Scoop
4 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Depreciation Uncertainty Focus Of Annual Plan Debate
Press Release – Hamilton City Council The value of waters assets, and how that could impact Hamilton City Councils books, has dominated todays (Thursday 29 May) Annual Plan discussions. Council is undergoing a revaluation of the citys drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater … The value of waters assets, and how that could impact Hamilton City Council's books, has dominated today's (Thursday 29 May) Annual Plan discussions. Council is undergoing a revaluation of the city's drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater pipes and pumpstations. The new value of the assets determines how much Council needs to budget for depreciation. As depreciation is an operating cost, the revaluation has potential flow-on effects on Council's financial measures, particularly the balancing the books outcome. The draft findings of the revaluation suggested a 120% increase in the cost to replace the assets compared to 2022, significantly above shifts in market-based indicators used by councils as a guide for asset values. Because of this discrepancy, staff recommended not including the draft findings as part of the Annual Plan, so these could be further interrogated before the drinking water and wastewater assets are transferred to the new joint waters company (also resolved today). 'There have been considerable industry changes to how revaluations are carried out since the last waters one in 2022,' said Chief Financial Officer Gary Connolly. 'The changes have produced complex results, with significant uncertainty about the validity for budgeting purposes. Extending the revaluation work would let us better understand the results.' The 2025/26 Annual Plan, which will be formally adopted in June, has a balancing the books deficit of $13 million in 2025/26 and a small surplus the following year. If the draft results had been factored into the Annual Plan, and no other subsequent changes made, the 2025/26 balancing the books deficit would be $37 million and reaching a surplus wouldn't be achieved until 2028/29. 'Reacting immediately to the draft results, given that many of these assets don't need to be replaced for another 50+ years, could have significantly perverse outcomes,' said Connolly. 'The staff recommendation isn't based on what would have happened with the balancing the books result. 'The revaluation issue has highlighted the risk of focusing too intently on balancing the books given the impact depreciation can have on that measure. 'We are developing a wider suite of measures to provide a more holistic picture of financial sustainability.' Deferring the revaluation means staff expect the 2024/25 Annual Report to receive a qualified opinion from Audit NZ. Given the lack of confidence in the draft findings, accepting these could also have this result. A qualified opinion is given when there are significant issue(s) in the Annual Report that prevent an unqualified opinion being given, but these issues are not considered pervasive. Staff do not anticipate any real-world negative consequences of a qualified audit opinion. The Annual Plan was eventually passed, subject to final adoption, eight votes to six. Those in favour: Mayor Southgate, Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillors Hutt, Casey-Cox, van Oosten, Tauariki, and Huaki. Those against: Councillors Wilson, Taylor, Macindoe, Pike, Bydder, and Naidoo-Rauf. Greater visibility of water costs coming to rates bills Hamiltonians will have more clarity of the costs to provide water services when their next rates invoice arrives. Elected Members have approved the introduction of targeted rates in 2025/26 to itemise what a property pays to receive drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services. The targeted rates are not in addition to a property's rates for 2025/26. Property owners will see a corresponding reduction in the General Rate portion of their rates to accommodate the change to how rates are itemised. The General Rate funds most of the services provided by Council. For a median value home, the general rate currently makes up about 73% of the total rates bill. After the introduction of the targeted rates, the general rate portion will be about 45%. The targeted rates are required to meet central government's expectations for councils to separate water costs and revenue from the other services they provide, as part of the Local Water Done Well reforms. The drinking water and wastewater targeted rates will be in place for 12 months, before the newly formed joint waters company with Waikato District Council assumes responsibility for delivering and charging for those services. The targeted rates will be calculated in the same way as the general rate – by capital value. Council also approved, subject to final adoption in June, the proposed 15.5% rates increase for 2025/26. This is consistent with the rates increase projected in the 2024-34 Long-Term Plan, to address Council's rising costs due to inflation, higher interest rates, and depreciation.
Scoop
4 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Depreciation Uncertainty Focus Of Annual Plan Debate
The value of waters assets, and how that could impact Hamilton City Council's books, has dominated today's (Thursday 29 May) Annual Plan discussions. Council is undergoing a revaluation of the city's drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater pipes and pumpstations. The new value of the assets determines how much Council needs to budget for depreciation. As depreciation is an operating cost, the revaluation has potential flow-on effects on Council's financial measures, particularly the balancing the books outcome. The draft findings of the revaluation suggested a 120% increase in the cost to replace the assets compared to 2022, significantly above shifts in market-based indicators used by councils as a guide for asset values. Because of this discrepancy, staff recommended not including the draft findings as part of the Annual Plan, so these could be further interrogated before the drinking water and wastewater assets are transferred to the new joint waters company (also resolved today). 'There have been considerable industry changes to how revaluations are carried out since the last waters one in 2022,' said Chief Financial Officer Gary Connolly. 'The changes have produced complex results, with significant uncertainty about the validity for budgeting purposes. Extending the revaluation work would let us better understand the results.' The 2025/26 Annual Plan, which will be formally adopted in June, has a balancing the books deficit of $13 million in 2025/26 and a small surplus the following year. If the draft results had been factored into the Annual Plan, and no other subsequent changes made, the 2025/26 balancing the books deficit would be $37 million and reaching a surplus wouldn't be achieved until 2028/29. 'Reacting immediately to the draft results, given that many of these assets don't need to be replaced for another 50+ years, could have significantly perverse outcomes,' said Connolly. 'The staff recommendation isn't based on what would have happened with the balancing the books result. 'The revaluation issue has highlighted the risk of focusing too intently on balancing the books given the impact depreciation can have on that measure. 'We are developing a wider suite of measures to provide a more holistic picture of financial sustainability.' Deferring the revaluation means staff expect the 2024/25 Annual Report to receive a qualified opinion from Audit NZ. Given the lack of confidence in the draft findings, accepting these could also have this result. A qualified opinion is given when there are significant issue(s) in the Annual Report that prevent an unqualified opinion being given, but these issues are not considered pervasive. Staff do not anticipate any real-world negative consequences of a qualified audit opinion. The Annual Plan was eventually passed, subject to final adoption, eight votes to six. Those in favour: Mayor Southgate, Deputy Mayor O'Leary, Councillors Hutt, Casey-Cox, van Oosten, Tauariki, and Huaki. Those against: Councillors Wilson, Taylor, Macindoe, Pike, Bydder, and Naidoo-Rauf. Greater visibility of water costs coming to rates bills Hamiltonians will have more clarity of the costs to provide water services when their next rates invoice arrives. Elected Members have approved the introduction of targeted rates in 2025/26 to itemise what a property pays to receive drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services. The targeted rates are not in addition to a property's rates for 2025/26. Property owners will see a corresponding reduction in the General Rate portion of their rates to accommodate the change to how rates are itemised. The General Rate funds most of the services provided by Council. For a median value home, the general rate currently makes up about 73% of the total rates bill. After the introduction of the targeted rates, the general rate portion will be about 45%. The targeted rates are required to meet central government's expectations for councils to separate water costs and revenue from the other services they provide, as part of the Local Water Done Well reforms. The drinking water and wastewater targeted rates will be in place for 12 months, before the newly formed joint waters company with Waikato District Council assumes responsibility for delivering and charging for those services. The targeted rates will be calculated in the same way as the general rate – by capital value. Council also approved, subject to final adoption in June, the proposed 15.5% rates increase for 2025/26. This is consistent with the rates increase projected in the 2024-34 Long-Term Plan, to address Council's rising costs due to inflation, higher interest rates, and depreciation.
Scoop
5 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Kerbside Collections Remain The Same Over King's Birthday
Kerbside rubbish and recycling collections in Hamilton Kirikiriroa will go ahead as normal on King's Birthday (Monday 2 June). Residents should put their bins out on their normal collection day by 7am. Hamilton City Council's Head of Resource Recovery, Sarah Wilson said last month Hamiltonians saved 616,000kg of mixed recycling from landfill. 'If you're not sure an item should go in the recycling bin, head to and search the item – it will tell you which bin it belongs in', said Wilson. Council operates a traffic light system to help educate the community about whether or not they have recycled right. A bin inspector checks yellow recycling bins left on the kerbside for collection. Bins that have unrecyclable items are red or orange tagged to show the owner what items were not recyclable. Wilson said Council recently launched a new green sticker to reward those residents who are getting it right. 'We want to encourage conversations amongst our community about doing the right thing. It's easy to avoid getting a red or orange tag on your recycling bin if you take a few extra moments to check what should go where'. Contaminated recycling items are a common culprit in bins that get tagged. Residents can keep their recycling clean by: rinsing meat trays emptying food out of boxes/containers putting greasy fast-food boxes in the red bin (these cannot be recycled due to grease contamination). Not sure what bin to put out this week? Use the address finder on or download the Antenno app for a weekly reminder before your bin day. For those looking to reuse, recycle, or dispose on Monday 2 June, below are the facility operating hours: Lincoln Street Resource Recovery Centre: 9am – 4pm Habitat for Humanity ReUse store: 9am – 4pm
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Cutting-Edge Art From Kaitaia To Invercargill: Finalists Revealed For National Contemporary Art Award
Press Release – Hamilton City Council A record-breaking number of entries has resulted in 53 artworks being selected for the 2025 National Contemporary Art Award (NCAA), with finalists from Kaitaia to Invercargill. With a prize pool of more than $30,000, this prestigious competition is organised and hosted by Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum and Gallery and reveals the cutting edge of Aotearoa New Zealand art through its fair, blind-judging process. Liz Cotton, Director Museum and Arts, said the ever-increasing number of entries reflects the level of interest. NCAA entries reached record-breaking levels in 2022 with more than 300 entries, then topped in 2023 with 420, and now more than 480 in 2025. (The previously annual competition was moved to a biennial cycle in 2023). 'It's astounding this has happened for a third time in a row. Hundreds of entries have poured in from Aotearoa New Zealand artists at all stages of their careers, exceeding all our expectations. This reflects the vibrancy of the nation's art scene and the essential role art plays in our society, as well as the importance of our philanthropic partners who enable us to offer such generous prizes.' Leading New Zealand law firm Tompkins Wake is the principal sponsor, having supported the awards since 2014, providing the life-changing prize of $20,000 for the winner of the National Contemporary Art Award. The Runner-Up Award of $7500 is provided by the Hugo Charitable Trust Award. The Friends of the Museum and Gallery and the Random Art Group provide Merit Awards of $1000 each. Judge for the 2025 NCAA competition, Nigel Borell MNZM, assessed the submissions through an anonymised online portal. The selection of award winners, will be done in-situ before the gallery is opened to the public. Borell is currently Curator Taonga Māori at Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, and is of Pirirakau, Ngaati Ranginui, Ngaai Te Rangi, Te Whakatoohea tribal descent. He has had an active role in the arts and culture sector spanning the past 25 years and was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2022. This year's exhibition of finalists will be held at Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum and Gallery from Friday 1 August — Sunday 16 November 2025 and entry is free. For more information visit National Contemporary Art Award finalists for 2025 Lizzi Yates, Waikanae Lyndy Wilson, Ngaaruawaahia Tim Wigmore and Reeve Hokopaura, Ngaamotu New Plymouth Cora-Allan Twiss, Taamaki Makaurau Auckland Jon Tootill, Papakura Debbie Tipuna, Tauranga Jodie Tipa, Ngaamotu New Plymouth Amber Timpany, Waihopai Invercargill Katherine Throne, Waanaka Dean Strickland, Waihii Beach Andy Spain, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington Aida Smith, Upper Hutt Merthyr Ruxton, Warkworth Kelly Rowe, Taamaki Makaurau Auckland Jessie Randles, Taamaki Makaurau Auckland Stephen Penny, Taamaki Makaurau Auckland Rowan Panther, Kaitaia Shelley Norton, Gore Ella Grace Nicol, Kirikiriroa Hamilton Francisco Naude, Kirikiriroa Hamilton Leanne Mulder, Taamaki Makaurau Auckland Brian Morris, Dunedin Ootepoti Logan Moffat, Taamaki Makaurau Auckland Jess Metuariki, Porirua Mark Meecham, Ootepoti Dunedin Alice Jeesu McDonald, Whanganui Hannah Maurice, Waiheke Jimmy James Kouratoras, Port Waikato Tae Jun Kim, Drury Helen Kerridge, Ahuriri Napier Kim Ireland, Whakatuu Nelson Dylan Huata-Lucas, Taamaki Makaurau Auckland Natalie Holland, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington Tui Hobson, Taamaki Makaurau Auckland Robyn Gibson, Taamaki Makaurau Auckland James Ford, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington Zena Elliott, Kirikiriroa Hamilton Lang Ea, Taamaki Makaurau Auckland Sudhir Duppati, Kirikiriroa Hamilton Donna Dinsdale, Te Puke Antony Densham, Taamaki Makaurau Auckland Garry Currin, Warkworth Deborah Crowe, Taamaki Makaurau Auckland Pio Coombes, Waihii Beach Hana Carpenter, Taamaki Makaurau Auckland Israel Birch, Ashhurst Sean Beldon, Taamaki Makaurau Auckland Helen Beech, Kawakawa David Austin, Kirikiriroa Hamilton Dita Angeles, Taamaki Makaurau Auckland Amy Al Chakif, Rotorua George Agius, Feilding Brett a'Court, Te Tai Tokerau Northland Content Sourced from Original url
Scoop
21-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Hamilton Gears Up For A Busy Planting Season
Press Release – Hamilton City Council With the goal of planting 15,000 native plants on Arbor Day, Hamilton schools, workplaces and residents are invited to come along, pick up a spade, and lend a hand from 10am 1.30pm. Get ready to roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty, and do your bit to restore nature in Hamilton Kirikiriroa. Cooler weather means planting season starts soon, with the 2025 calendar set to be bigger than ever. As well as the popular annual Arbor Day, Hamilton residents also have the opportunity to get involved in two Plantathon events and a new Plant and Ride initiative as part of Hamilton City Council's Nature in the City programme. (Photo/Supplied) Parks and Recreation Unit Director Maria Barrie said the efforts put in to plant native trees during planting season will go a long way to help achieve the city's long-term vision. 'The Nature in the City Strategy aims to increase Hamilton's native vegetation cover to 10% by 2050. We only have 25 years left to reach this ambitious goal and can't do it alone – we need as many nature-loving volunteers as possible to help us shape a greener city for future generations.' This year's community planting events will kick off with Arbor Day on Thursday 5 June, which will this year be held at a new location, Minogue Park. With the goal of planting 15,000 native plants on Arbor Day, Hamilton schools, workplaces and residents are invited to come along, pick up a spade, and lend a hand from 10am – 1.30pm. Hamilton City Councillor Anna Casey-Cox encourages people to get behind the cause. 'We have so many amazing and dedicated volunteers, schools and community groups in our city who weed and plant our gullies and forests all year long. This Arbor Day and planting season is an opportunity to get behind them, tautoko their important work and help nature thrive,' Casey-Cox said. Special guests from the Kids in Nature programme will be at Arbor Day to educate attendees on introduced predators, bees, and Aotearoa's native lizards. Tours around Lake Rotokaeo and the surrounding bush will be available for anyone interested on the day. Barrie says more native plants will not only enhance the environment and support our native wildlife, but will also benefit those that live and spend time here. 'We know being around nature can be magic for people's wellbeing. By restoring more nature for people to connect with, we can help improve the wellbeing of Hamiltonians.' In July, two Saturday planting events will be held at different parks in Hamilton to provide more opportunities for residents to get involved in restoring nature in the city. Plantathon 2025 will take place at: Caernarvon Park, Dinsdale on Saturday 5 July, 11am – 1pm Tauhara Park, Queenwood on Saturday 12 July, 11am – 1pm. This will be the second year that Plantathon has been held in Hamilton, following three successful events in 2024 held at Sandford Park, Hillcrest Stadium, and Minogue Park. This year will also mark the start of a new community planting opportunity Plant and Ride on Saturday 9 August from 11am – 2pm. This unique event will encourage Hamiltonians to get out in the fresh air and cycle, scooter, or stroll along the river path to three different planting sites. The Saturday events aim to make community planting more accessible for families and working individuals to come along to participate. Those wanting to find out more about the upcoming planting events and register their interest can do so via Nature in the City's new volunteering platform at Content Sourced from Original url
