Latest news with #Long-TermPlan
Scoop
15 hours ago
- General
- Scoop
Time To Have Your Say On Water Charging Options
NPDC wants residents' feedback on options for water-charging that will see households paying for the water they actually use. Consultation on the options opens today (MONDAY) and runs until 20 June, with the Mayor and Councillors having selected them for consultation in May so that mock billing can start in July next year. The three options are: A fixed charge plus a volumetric charge based on how much water is used by the household. A fixed charge, plus a volumetric charge when households use more than the 100 litre allocation of water each day. (All water above the allocation would be charged at the volumetric charge.) Fully volumetric charging based upon the amount of water used, with no fixed charge. 'There are a lot of elements to this consultation, such as how we look after vulnerable households and properties with shared meters, so we'd really like to get your thoughts on each of the issues,' says NPDC Executive Director CE Office Kathryn Scown. 'Your feedback will help us make decisions that best suit our community.' Currently, households connected to the public water supply pay a fixed charge of $547 per year, regardless of how much water is used. This fixed charge will be replaced in 2027 with a new charging system based upon how much water a household actually uses. This will encourage water conservation, support vulnerable households and ensure we cover the cost of providing the service. Before this begins, households will have a year of mock billing to identify and fix any leaks and track their household's water use. The consultation includes charging options for properties with shared meters, how leaks and repairs on private property are handled, how NPDC can support more vulnerable households, and potential policy amendments in the future. To read the consultation document and supporting information and to have your say, go to Feedback closes at 5pm on Friday 20 June. Fast facts In December 2020, as part of the Long-Term Plan 2021-31, the Council resolved to install water meters with a shift to volumetric billing (paying for how much water a household actually uses), with 12 months of mock billing before volumetric charging begins. By the end of April 2025, NPDC had installed more than 23,200 water meters at residential properties – 82 per cent of the planned total installations. So far, 180 leaks on private properties have been fixed after being identified by water meters. This has saved 1.75 million litres of water per day (four per cent of the district's average use). NPDC's four water schemes supply just under 28,000 homes and businesses. New Plymouth District's water consumption is 1.5 to 2 times higher than in comparable communities, averaging 690 litres per household connection per day (about 300 litres per person per day).
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
i Light Singapore 2025 launched on May 29
National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat (second from left) invited the public to view the Draft Master Plan 2025 exhibition when it launches on June 25. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI New city blueprint to be launched at URA Draft Master Plan exhibition on June 25 SINGAPORE – Singapore will have a new blueprint to guide the city's development over the coming years when the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) launches its Draft Master Plan on June 25. Announcing the launch date at an event on May 29, National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat said visitors to the exhibition of the masterplan will see 'how we are planning for a liveable, inclusive and endearing home. A home that all of us can be proud of'. Mr Chee was speaking at the opening of the art festival i Light Singapore, which is in its 11th edition and features 17 light installations in Marina Bay, Raffles Place, the Singapore River and South Beach. The URA Master Plan – one of two major development blueprints by Singapore's planning authority – is a statutory document that guides Singapore's development for the next 10 to 15 years and is reviewed once every five years. It translates broader strategies from the other development blueprint – the Long-Term Plan – into detailed plans that guide how land and properties are used. The Long-Term Plan, which guides plans for the next 50 years and beyond, is reviewed once every decade, with the last edition unveiled at an exhibition in 2022. Public consultations for the upcoming masterplan began in October 2023, and conversations have been shaped around four themes: Shaping A Happy Healthy City, Enabling Sustainable Growth, Strengthening Urban Resilience and Stewarding Our Nature And Heritage . Current developments are guided by the URA Master Plan 2019, which came into force in November that year after it was exhibited for a few months. The Guardians by Matthew Aberline and The Beautiful and Useful Studio (Australia), located at Raffles Place Park. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR Highlights from the 2019 masterplan include the Rail Corridor, Punggol Digital District and the Greater Southern Waterfront. Some of these projects are still in development. Speaking at Marina Bay, Mr Chee said the transformation of the bay area is a testament to Singapore's long-term planning and meticulous implementation. He noted that plans for the bay were developed in the 1970s, when pioneer leaders and planners saw the need to expand Singapore's city centre to support the country's growth as a global business and financial hub. Reclamation of 360ha of land to form the bay took place between the 1970s and 1990s, with landmarks such as Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay's Bay South Garden built entirely on reclaimed land later. The area's transformation 'is the story of the foresight of those who came before us, who dared to dream and who have laid the foundations for a better Singapore', Mr Chee said. He said the bay is part of Singapore's skyline, which is recognised globally, and that the area is 'a people's bay', with community spaces for all to enjoy. Initiatives such as i Light Singapore gather people from all walks of life and help to bring these community spaces to life, said Mr Chee, who added that the festival celebrates aspirations for a sustainable, shared future. He cited the Bridge Of 1,000 Dreams, an installation that features a thousand illuminated bamboo sticks on Cavenagh Bridge, each of which was decorated by a child and reflects 'the dreams and visions of Singaporeans'. Mr Chee interacting with guests at the launch of i Light Singapore 2025, with the art installation Bridge Of 1,000 Dreams in the background. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI The work is by Studio Toer, a multidisciplinary design studio from The Netherlands, and features Singapore motifs created by local design studio Binary Style. Mr Castor Bours, Studio Toer's co-founder, said having children work on the bamboo sticks 'may be the most important part of the installation'. He added: 'At the end, the sticks are put on a beautiful bridge, but the whole process of helping people think about what they want for their city, what they want for their future in a creative way – that's what makes this installation different from others.' He said having public art installations in the city helps break the monotony of daily life. 'People have their rituals, they walk to work and return from their workplace, and somehow, with an installation, this breaks the ritual a bit,' Mr Bours said. 'They take a few seconds or maybe minutes to get off that rhythm, and be inspired again by their own city. It's a way to be distracted from reality.' Ng Keng Gene is a correspondent at The Straits Times, reporting on issues relating to land use, urban planning and heritage. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Business Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
URA to unveil Draft Master Plan 2025 in June: Chee Hong Tat
[SINGAPORE] The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) will be unveiling the Draft Master Plan 2025 on Jun 25, Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat on Thursday (May 29). The long-awaited draft masterplan, which will map out Singapore's detailed land plans for the next 10 to 15 years, is being introduced at an exhibition after city planners gathered public feedback following the launch of the engagement exercise in October 2023. More homes are being planned in various locations in the Central Region such as Bukit Timah Turf City, Mount Pleasant, the former Keppel Golf Course and Marina South. The government is also focusing on decentralisation, with Jurong Lake District set to become the largest mixed-use district outside the Central Business District. Plans are underway to further develop Changi Aviation Park and Changi City as well as regional hubs such as Tampines and Punggol Digital District. The public was also consulted on a recreation masterplan which will spotlight Singapore's parks, public spaces and attractions as well as 'Long Island', a 800 hectare land reclamation project along the eastern coast of Singapore. Chee was speaking at the opening ceremony for i Light Singapore, the light art festival held in Marina Bay since 2010. The festival was launched by URA to mark the opening of Marina Bay. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Tuesday, 12 pm Property Insights Get an exclusive analysis of real estate and property news in Singapore and beyond. Sign Up Sign Up Chee said: 'Our vision for Marina Bay started as early as the 1970s, when our pioneer generation of leaders and planners foresaw the need to expand the city centre to support and sustain Singapore's long-term growth as a global business and financial hub.' 'Plans were set in motion, to reclaim some 360 hectares of prime waterfront land around a new waterbody that is seamlessly connected to the existing city centre.' Today, Marina Bay is a dynamic and modern hub anchored on sustainable infrastructure with attractions and mixed-use developments, Chee said. 'The transformation of Marina Bay is a story of long-term planning and also meticulous implementation.' Every 10 years, the government reviews the Long-Term Plan that guides the development of Singapore, mapping out strategic land uses and infrastructure needs over the next 50 years. Chee said: 'This is how far we plan ahead so that we are ready for the future.' The development of Singapore is not just about constructing buildings and infrastructure but also about connecting people and places and creating spaces where Singaporeans live, work and play, the minister said. He said: 'As I take on this new portfolio at MND... it is a very challenging task but it is also a very meaningful job. I hope to continue to engage and collaborate with all of you – our stakeholders and partners – to transform even more of our public spaces into vibrant and impactful experiences that brighten our lives, strengthen our community identity and foster a sense of shared ownership of this beautiful city we call home.'
Scoop
5 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Masterton Town Hall Demo Given Green Light
After almost a decade in limbo, Masterton's town hall and municipal buildings will be wiped from the town's streetscape. Independent commissioner Alistair Aburn has granted resource consent for the council to demolish its century-old civic buildings. It followed several turbulent years of consultation and decision-making marked by controversy, public complaints, and protests. Masterton Mayor Gary Caffell said he felt a mixture of 'relief and trepidation' with the outcome. 'Relief because it could bring to a conclusion a debate which seems like it has gone on forever without any sign of resolution; trepidation because there is always the chance that the decision will be appealed and we will have to go through this latest process all over again.' He said it had been the most emotionally difficult decision he had experienced in his 15 years on council. He had previously fought to save the town hall, then he fought to retain the façade, both of which could not be done at a reasonable cost to ratepayers. 'At the end of the day you have to base your decision around what is best for the community both in terms of cost and viability, and I believe we have done that.' Masterton Ratepayers and Residents Association president Lyn Riley said residents had asked for 'vision' from the council but instead 'got a bulldozer'. 'Demolishing our iconic town hall ignores heartfelt community concern, lacks a business case, and leaves ratepayers with more long-term debt when they are facing costly water reforms. 'No modern structure or architectural drawing can replicate their historical value or the deep connection to those who came before us. 'This is not progress – it's erasure.' How we got here In 2016, the town hall was closed after it was found to be earthquake-prone. In 2019, Masterton District Council consulted on building a new civic facility and this direction was agreed upon the next year. As part of its 2021-31 Long-Term Plan process, the council locked in a budget of $26.8 million it would borrow to build the new civic facility, and $4 million from external sources. A site at the northern end of Masterton had been earmarked for this new build. On the day the 2021-31 Long-Term Plan was adopted, an estimated 1000 people gathered at the town hall site for the 'Hands Around the Hall' protest. Attendees wanted the town hall to be strengthened or rebuilt on the same site and the façade retained. Former council chief executive Kath Ross had been caught on CCTV ripping down a poster promoting the event and later resigned. Residents protested again in 2022, this time at the recreation centre site that had been earmarked for a potential build. That same year, the Auditor-General found there were flaws in the council's record keeping over the civic facility location decision and looked into whether councillors had dealt with conflicts of interest appropriately. The Ombudsman was also involved in determining whether consultation on the project had been rigorous enough and found in favour of the council. Later that year, the project was placed on hold after estimates put the cost of the new civic facility at more than $70 million, inclusive of contingency. A new council was elected later that year and in 2024, this council voted to demolish the town hall and municipal building and build anew on the same site for a cost of no more than $25 million. A resource consent application to demolish the buildings was lodged at the end of the year and a hearing was held in April. What the commissioner said In his decision, released on Monday, Commissioner Alistair Aburn said the demolition of the buildings was 'an appropriate use of physical resources'. He said the council had undertaken 'a sufficiently robust assessment of alternative options' which could not be pursued. He also said the retention of the façade was unlikely to be financially viable. 'The demolition of the town hall, a scheduled heritage building, will have more than minor heritage effects,' Aburn said. 'However, when regard is had to the other matters requiring assessment ... including the positive effects of removing an earthquake-prone building thereby enhancing public safety and enabling the future construction of a fit for purpose town hall built to 100% of the new building standard (NBS), I consider loss of historic heritage values has been offset to an acceptable degree.' At the hearing, Aburn expressed concern that the site would be left vacant after the demolition and had set conditions to mitigate this risk. He said a 'public space activation plan' prepared by a suitably qualified landscape architect or designer would need to be approved before demolition works began. The plan would need to include the design of an interim landscaped open space that activated the site, maintained visual amenity, and encouraged safe public use once demolished. The council would need to provide an indicative timeline or project plan for the design of the replacement building, as well as draft concept plans before demolition. Another condition of the consent was the preparation of a full inventory of materials that may be salvaged for reuse or sale and that there be an installation of interpretative material and memorabilia in the replacement building, which would allow the public to engage with the history of the site and the buildings which originally existed there. The council would also need to obtain an archaeological authority from Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga under the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014 prior to any demolition works commencing. The resource consent would be valid for five years from the date it was granted. Next steps Caffell said the council had decided that a new build be pursued once the site was demolished. The budget for the demolition and build had been set at $25 million. 'No one can deny that will be a challenge,' he said. 'I am encouraged though by the fact that there are developers and people within the construction industry who believe it can de done and we will obviously be leaning on their expertise along the way.' A fundraising group led by former Masterton Mayor Bob Francis had been established and had some 'innovative plans', Caffell said. 'It is probably worth noting too that while council is not now supporting the retention of the façade, there remains the possibility that some parts of it could still be incorporated in any new design. 'That is still very much in the exploration stage but personally I get quite excited about what we might be able to achieve there.' He said the 'cheeky' side of him saw value in approaching neighbouring councils for financial support for the facility as it was likely to hold a crowd 'twice as big as any currently available in the Wairarapa'. 'This will mean that some of the bigger shows which have to give this region a a miss because of their size will have the opportunity to come to Masterton, and the entire region will benefit as a result.' Now that a decision on the demolition consent has been made, appeals can be lodged to the Environment Court within 15 working days of May 26. Council infrastructure and assets manager Maseina Koneferenisi said the council was pleased with the outcome and would start to engage with relevant experts to work through condition requirements.
NZ Herald
18-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
CBD parking: Whanganui Mayor Andrew Tripe supports Mainstreet's proposal to extend parking stay
'We want to promote the ParkMate app much more, but there are so many different tiers of parking that it's difficult to promote.' The ParkMate app, introduced in 2018, was designed to make it more convenient for customers to pay for parking without carrying cash. Mainstreet believed modifying the time limits would encourage more use of the CBD and make it easier for visitors wanting to shop or eat. Mayor Andrew Tripe told the Whanganui Chronicle he supported the proposal. 'A busy and vibrant town centre is a healthy town centre,' he said. 'If we can have people in town spending a bit of money and creating a sense of community, I am all for that. 'I am very supportive. Three hours is not that much different from two - I think three hours is very reasonable.' Meyerhoff, in her presentation to the council, said beautician and hairdresser clients were often caught by the two-hour limit, as were cinemagoers. Vivo Hair & Beauty manager Selina Hill said parking could be a hassle for clients of her Victoria Ave business because appointments often extended past two hours. She was in favour of the proposed changes. 'I think it's a great idea because it ends up costing clients more on top of their service, and quite often they get tickets. 'We lose clients because they can't be parked for long enough. It's a nightmare, so we're all for it.' Tripe said there were 'multiple reasons why you'd need a car parked for three hours more than two, and it's not going to have an effect in causing issues for others'. It has been a busy start to Mainstreet's year with internal changes at the organisation. 'Up until now, we have been a bit quiet and that is because we have been relooking at our foundations, cementing them and looking at the strategy to see how we can implement that,' Meyerhoff said. In November 2024, Nikki Oesterle became chairwoman, while Meyerhoff began as general manager in February. Addressing earthquake-prone buildings in collaboration with the council was another goal. Meyerhoff said Mainstreet had created a database of all the earthquake-prone buildings within the CBD and roughly when they would need renovations. The council, in its 2025-26 Annual Plan, proposes to reintroduce funding of $100,000 for the town centre regeneration project that was removed in the 2024-2034 Long-Term Plan. Mainstreet is advocating that it be made the gatekeeper of the funds, with two focus areas being the enhancement of Majestic Square and better use of alleyways. The organisation wants to develop the square to have more of a multi-cultural and multi-generational use. Meyerhoff hopes to 'activate' alleyways connecting Victoria Ave to neighbouring streets so the area can be more fun and accessible. The council will make decisions on the Annual Plan submissions on May 28-29.
