Latest news with #ThreeWatersReform
Scoop
28-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Waimakariri Remains On Track For Rate Rise Under 5%
Article – David Hill – Local Democracy Reporter The Waimakariri District Council is expected to stick to its proposed rate rise of 4.98%. Supporting growth by investing in infrastructure is the focus of Waimakariri District Council's annual plan, Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon says. The council resumed its deliberations on its 2025/26 annual plan on Tuesday morning, May 27, with staff recommending to councillors to stick with the proposed average rate rise of 4.98 percent. Mr Gordon backed the call and said the draft annual plan was in line with central Government direction, focusing on delivering local infrastructure, core services and ''a responsible rates increase''. The council received 787 submissions, with the bulk being on the council's proposed waters services model, designed to meet the requirements of the Government's Local Water Done Well legislation. ''Residents told us they were happy with the direction we've proposed, specifically supporting investing in our infrastructure as Waimakariri grows and demand for service increase.'' The council has proposed beefing up its own internal business unit to manage water services, despite calls from its northern neighbours, Hurunui and Kaikōura, to join a North Canterbury water services council controlled organisation. Around 97% of submissions supported going it alone on managing water services. ''This support has vindicated the strong stance and time we have spent advocating for better Three Waters Reform that respected local property rights and had assets remain in the hands of the communities that paid for them,'' Mr Gordon said. Staff recommended minor changes to the budget following submissions, including grants of $10,000 to the Rangiora Bowling Club, $3500 to the Waimakariri Public Arts Trust and $8500 to the Ohoka Domain Advisory Board. Changes to KiwiSaver, announced by the Government in last week's Budget, will also have a small impact on the council. The council's finance and business support general manager Nicole Robinson said the changes could be absorbed in the budget, without increasing rates. She said the council planned to spend $89.6m on capital projects over the next 12 months. The Waimakariri district was continuing to experience growth, with 743 consents for new houses issued in the 2024 calendar year, but the council continued to operate in an uncertain economic environment, she said. Inflation has improved, with Consumer Price Index inflation now estimated at 2.2% and the Local Government Cost Index inflation, which impacted on the council, now at 3.3%. Interest rates have also dropped, with the Reserve Bank's Official Cash Rate now 3.5%, down from 4.25% earlier in the year. The council's interest rate from the Local Government Funding Agency is now 3.48%. Deliberations were set to continue this afternoon, with a reserve day planned for tomorrow (Wednesday) if required. The council is due to meet again on June 17 to adopt the 2025/26 annual plan. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
28-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Waimakariri Remains On Track For Rate Rise Under 5%
Supporting growth by investing in infrastructure is the focus of Waimakariri District Council's annual plan, Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon says. The council resumed its deliberations on its 2025/26 annual plan on Tuesday morning, May 27, with staff recommending to councillors to stick with the proposed average rate rise of 4.98 percent. Mr Gordon backed the call and said the draft annual plan was in line with central Government direction, focusing on delivering local infrastructure, core services and ''a responsible rates increase''. The council received 787 submissions, with the bulk being on the council's proposed waters services model, designed to meet the requirements of the Government's Local Water Done Well legislation. ''Residents told us they were happy with the direction we've proposed, specifically supporting investing in our infrastructure as Waimakariri grows and demand for service increase.'' The council has proposed beefing up its own internal business unit to manage water services, despite calls from its northern neighbours, Hurunui and Kaikōura, to join a North Canterbury water services council controlled organisation. Around 97% of submissions supported going it alone on managing water services. ''This support has vindicated the strong stance and time we have spent advocating for better Three Waters Reform that respected local property rights and had assets remain in the hands of the communities that paid for them,'' Mr Gordon said. Staff recommended minor changes to the budget following submissions, including grants of $10,000 to the Rangiora Bowling Club, $3500 to the Waimakariri Public Arts Trust and $8500 to the Ohoka Domain Advisory Board. Changes to KiwiSaver, announced by the Government in last week's Budget, will also have a small impact on the council. The council's finance and business support general manager Nicole Robinson said the changes could be absorbed in the budget, without increasing rates. She said the council planned to spend $89.6m on capital projects over the next 12 months. The Waimakariri district was continuing to experience growth, with 743 consents for new houses issued in the 2024 calendar year, but the council continued to operate in an uncertain economic environment, she said. Inflation has improved, with Consumer Price Index inflation now estimated at 2.2% and the Local Government Cost Index inflation, which impacted on the council, now at 3.3%. Interest rates have also dropped, with the Reserve Bank's Official Cash Rate now 3.5%, down from 4.25% earlier in the year. The council's interest rate from the Local Government Funding Agency is now 3.48%. Deliberations were set to continue this afternoon, with a reserve day planned for tomorrow (Wednesday) if required. The council is due to meet again on June 17 to adopt the 2025/26 annual plan. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Otago Daily Times
08-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Councils press on with water plan
The Kaikōura District Council held its deliberations on Wednesday, after receiving just 14 submissions, with nine backing the joint CCO proposal and four preferring to go it alone. The Hurunui District Council will meet on Tuesday, May 13, to deliberate after receiving 53 submissions, with 25 in support of forming a joint CCO with Kaikōura and 23 favouring an in-house water services business unit. Councils need to submit water services delivery plans for review by September 3 under the Government's Local Water Done Well reform programme. The legislation aims to address the country's water infrastructure challenges and replaced the previous Government's Three Waters Reform. Kaikōura Deputy Mayor Julie Howden said the response was ''pretty disappointing'', but she was impressed with the quality of the submissions. The council's chief executive, Will Doughty, said the shares will be allocated based on the net assets of each council, but it still needs to be worked through. ''We need to ensure there is a fair and equitable allocation.'' While a final decision will be made at the May 28 council meeting, Mr Doughty said the council is still progressing towards a joint CCO with Hurunui. Hurunui Mayor Marie Black said despite the low turnout, the submissions have given the councillors plenty to think about. ''A lot of people have said they have a high level of trust in the council and the council has invested heavily in our three waters services in recent years. ''We have worked through an incredibly complex process and we will deliver a proposal to the Department of Internal Affairs before the September 3 deadline.'' The Hurunui district has small population of around 13,000 over a large geographical area, while Kaikōura has a population of 4200. Both councils have invested heavily in their three waters infrastructure since the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in November 2016. Under the new legislation, a joint CCO can borrow up to 500% of council revenue, instead of the usual borrowing limit of 280%. • LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
Scoop
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Canterbury Councils Press On With Water Plan, Despite ‘Disappointing' Response
Article – David Hill – Local Democracy Reporter The Hurunui and Kaikura councils had a disappointing response on their proposal to form a joint water services council controlled organisation. A plan for two North Canterbury councils to join forces on three waters has received a ''disappointing'' response from public consultation. The Hurunui and Kaikōura district councils have completed their consultations on a proposal to form a joint water services council controlled organisation (CCO) to manage water services. The Kaikōura District Council held its deliberations on Wednesday, after receiving just 14 submissions, with nine backing the joint CCO proposal and four preferring to go it alone. The Hurunui District Council will meet on Tuesday, May 13, to deliberate after receiving 53 submissions, with 25 in support of forming a joint CCO with Kaikōura and 23 favouring an in-house water services business unit. Councils need to submit water services delivery plans for review by September 3 under the Government's Local Water Done Well reform programme. The legislation aims to address the country's water infrastructure challenges and replaced the previous Government's Three Waters Reform. Kaikōura Deputy Mayor Julie Howden said the response was ''pretty disappointing'', but she was impressed with the quality of the submissions. The council's chief executive Will Doughty said the shares will be allocated based on the net assets of each council, but it still needs to be worked through. ''We need to ensure there is a fair and equitable allocation.'' While a final decision will be made at the May 28 council meeting, Mr Doughty said the council is still progressing towards a joint CCO with Hurunui. Hurunui Mayor Marie Black said despite the low turnout, the submissions have given the councillors plenty to think about. ''A lot of people have said they have a high level of trust in the council and the council has invested heavily in our three waters services in recent years. ''We have worked through an incredibly complex process and we will deliver a proposal to the Department of Internal Affairs before the September 3 deadline.'' The Hurunui district has small population of around 13,000 over a large geographical area, while Kaikōura has a population of 4200. Both councils have invested heavily in their three waters infrastructure since the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in November 2016. Under the new legislation, a joint CCO can borrow up to 500 percent of council revenue, instead of the usual borrowing limit of 280%. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
07-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Canterbury Councils Press On With Water Plan, Despite ‘Disappointing' Response
A plan for two North Canterbury councils to join forces on three waters has received a ''disappointing'' response from public consultation. The Hurunui and Kaikōura district councils have completed their consultations on a proposal to form a joint water services council controlled organisation (CCO) to manage water services. The Kaikōura District Council held its deliberations on Wednesday, after receiving just 14 submissions, with nine backing the joint CCO proposal and four preferring to go it alone. The Hurunui District Council will meet on Tuesday, May 13, to deliberate after receiving 53 submissions, with 25 in support of forming a joint CCO with Kaikōura and 23 favouring an in-house water services business unit. Councils need to submit water services delivery plans for review by September 3 under the Government's Local Water Done Well reform programme. The legislation aims to address the country's water infrastructure challenges and replaced the previous Government's Three Waters Reform. Kaikōura Deputy Mayor Julie Howden said the response was ''pretty disappointing'', but she was impressed with the quality of the submissions. The council's chief executive Will Doughty said the shares will be allocated based on the net assets of each council, but it still needs to be worked through. ''We need to ensure there is a fair and equitable allocation.'' While a final decision will be made at the May 28 council meeting, Mr Doughty said the council is still progressing towards a joint CCO with Hurunui. Hurunui Mayor Marie Black said despite the low turnout, the submissions have given the councillors plenty to think about. ''A lot of people have said they have a high level of trust in the council and the council has invested heavily in our three waters services in recent years. ''We have worked through an incredibly complex process and we will deliver a proposal to the Department of Internal Affairs before the September 3 deadline.'' The Hurunui district has small population of around 13,000 over a large geographical area, while Kaikōura has a population of 4200. Both councils have invested heavily in their three waters infrastructure since the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in November 2016. Under the new legislation, a joint CCO can borrow up to 500 percent of council revenue, instead of the usual borrowing limit of 280%. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
