Latest news with #TotalMobility
Scoop
28-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Regional Council Shapes 2025–26 Annual Plan With Community Input
The Hawke's Bay Regional Council has today made decisions on its draft Annual Plan 2025–26, following public consultation between 31 March and 2 May this year. Regional Council Chair Hinewai Ormsby acknowledges the contributions of the 99 people and groups who made formal submissions, as well as those who provided feedback via social media. 'Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their views through submissions. Your feedback reinforced that affordability is what matters most to our communities.' The Regional Council has made some tough decisions and trade-offs to reduce costs across some services, she says. 'We've cut the average rates increase to 9.9 percent — a significant reduction from the 18.3 percent originally forecast for 2025–26. (Please note - this excludes the new targeted rate for the Mangarau Stream for some Hastings district ratepayers). ' This plan is about more than the next year, says Chair Ormbsy, it's about building long-term resilience for our region. 'We're preparing for the bigger conversations around future investments needed to strengthen our flood defences, and water supply resilience and support erosion control. We will engage with our community on these key priorities, with a focus on building a stronger future for Hawke's Bay.' Key decisions from consultation topics: Mangarau Stream flood resilience Regional Council will collect a new targeted rate over three years for flood resilience work for Mangarau Stream in Havelock North, following Cyclone Gabrielle. This will impact about 27,000 ratepayers in the Hastings district. We are collecting this rate to secure Crown funding as part of a regional recovery package and will pass the money collected on to Hastings District Council (HDC). HDC is responsible for the management of streams in Havelock North and are undertaking the work. Passenger transport funding Following public feedback, Regional Council will adjust the way the passenger transport service is rated. Regional Council provides the bus service, goBay and the Total Mobility scheme which provides essential services for people with permanent disabilities. The new model better reflects who has access to these services and standardises a large proportion of the amount paid by households. Upper Tukituki flood control scheme To ensure a more equitable distribution of costs among those who benefit from the scheme's protection, Regional Council will introduce a revised rating method for the Upper Tukituki Flood Control Scheme. The Regional Council also undertook consultation on the Draft Regional Public Transport Plan 2025-2035. The Regional Transport Committee are meeting on 6 June 2025 to deliberate on proposed changes. The Regional Council will formally adopt the Annual Plan 2025–26 and Regional Public Transport Plan 2025-2035 at the Council meeting on 25 June 2025.
NZ Herald
25-05-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Patients miss Whangārei Hospital appointments over parking woes, staff struggle
'Visitors go around and around looking for parks and some have left not being able to make their appointments.' Karen said some patients are being pointed to the staff carparks so they can make their appointments, but this has led to afternoon shift workers finding their dedicated parks have been taken. 'The afternoon shift workers are having to come to work nearly an hour beforehand to find a park,' she said. 'It would be great to see more parking within the hospital grounds and it would be nice if it had been planned for prior to starting the renovations.' Karen said alternatives such as taking the bus are not possible for the shift workers and security is a concern for those working late at night, especially if they have far to go to get to their car. PSA union organiser Mark Furey, who represents about 800 workers at the hospital, said he has driven around three to four times to find a park and could see other visitors getting equally frustrated. Administration workers told him cancellations are 'through the roof' because of people being caught out by the lack of parks. Much of the available car parking is not suitable for those who are sick or less mobile, with the walk from Tohora House, between Hospital Rd and West End Ave, known as 'cardiac hill', he said. The situation has come from the hospital expanding, despite being built on a hill and unstable land, Furey said. A plan to build a multi-storey carpark at the front of the hospital, on Maunu Rd, had to be scrapped because of unstable land, he said. 'It has to be taken seriously and to take it seriously there's a substantial cost involved.' Alex Pimm, Health NZ group director of operations Northern, acknowledged there are car parking constraints at Whangārei Hospital. 'We ... thank people for their patience when trying to park as we know how frustrating it can be.' Pimm said building additional car parking is a long-term commitment as part of the Pihi Kaha hospital redevelopment. The project is being actively progressed, with decisions expected later this year, he said. It is not due to be finished until 2031. Pimm said the organisation is working to move more outpatient appointments to other locations and is asking services to consider appointment timing to avoid congestion. People are also encouraged to: Ask friends or whānau to drop them off and pick them up after their appointment. Make use of transport options like buses, taxis, ride-share services such as Driving Miss Daisy and Freedom Companion Drive, or public shuttles like those provided by Hato Hone St John and Linking Hands. Engage in active transport such as walking, cycling or e-scooter. Check eligibility for the Total Mobility scheme, which is facilitated by Northland Regional Council and will contribute towards approved taxi and ride-share costs. Pimm recognised car parking challenges for staff too and said Health NZ is actively considering solutions for staff parking. The options include staff carpooling, off-site staff parking, working with council to consider aligning the bus timetable with staff shifts and releasing underutilised staff car parks during the day.
Scoop
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Fears Over Reduction To Disability Travel Service
Article – Matthew Rosenberg – Local Democracy Reporter CCS Disability Action access coordinator Mary OBrien presented to the city council this week as part of its annual plan consultation, urging it to continue funding the programme at current levels. Disability groups are pushing for retention of Total Mobility funding amid a potential trimming of the service in Invercargill. CCS Disability Action access coordinator Mary O'Brien presented to the city council this week as part of its annual plan consultation, urging it to continue funding the programme at current levels. 'Total Mobility is an essential service for many people. It's there to provide a service for people who cannot use other forms of transport,' she said. The nationwide transport initiative assists people who struggle to get around, with fares subsidised 75 percent by central and local government, to a limit. Invercargill's programme has seen an 88 percent increase in popularity for the three years to 2023/24, prompting the city council to explore options for disincentivising. Although some used it for recreation, it was mostly used for essentials services such as shopping or going to the doctor, O'Brien said. The potential funding reduction has already received push-back from the organisation, which said last month it would negatively impact disabled people. It also comes at a time when the council is considering an increase to public transport fares. Cash fares range from $1.10 to $3, but could jump to $5 for some as the government pushes for increased self-funding. O'Brien's written submission said public transport was important for helping disabled people meet their daily needs because they were less likely to access cars. 'We receive continual feedback from disabled people that they are continually having to make difficult choices such as purchasing, food, heating their homes or paying for transport,' she wrote, with an increase in fares making that choice even harder. Association of Blind Citizens Southland branch chair Carolyn Weston said Total Mobility was an essential service and also advocated for better public transport. 'Because buses are not necessarily accessible to disabled people, people are using Total Mobility probably more than they need to,' she told councillors. Her written submission called for an overhaul of the bus service so that it could be more 'receptive, accessible, reliable and affordable'. Weston requested audio announcements be reintroduced, because it was 'embarrassing' they were no longer offered by one of the first cities to use them. Directions given to council staff from elected members on 1 April included developing a process to limit Total Mobility trip numbers and considering a reduction in subsidy to 50 percent.
Scoop
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Fears Over Reduction To Disability Travel Service
Disability groups are pushing for retention of Total Mobility funding amid a potential trimming of the service in Invercargill. CCS Disability Action access coordinator Mary O'Brien presented to the city council this week as part of its annual plan consultation, urging it to continue funding the programme at current levels. 'Total Mobility is an essential service for many people. It's there to provide a service for people who cannot use other forms of transport," she said. The nationwide transport initiative assists people who struggle to get around, with fares subsidised 75 percent by central and local government, to a limit. Invercargill's programme has seen an 88 percent increase in popularity for the three years to 2023/24, prompting the city council to explore options for disincentivising. Although some used it for recreation, it was mostly used for essentials services such as shopping or going to the doctor, O'Brien said. The potential funding reduction has already received push-back from the organisation, which said last month it would negatively impact disabled people. It also comes at a time when the council is considering an increase to public transport fares. Cash fares range from $1.10 to $3, but could jump to $5 for some as the government pushes for increased self-funding. O'Brien's written submission said public transport was important for helping disabled people meet their daily needs because they were less likely to access cars. 'We receive continual feedback from disabled people that they are continually having to make difficult choices such as purchasing, food, heating their homes or paying for transport,' she wrote, with an increase in fares making that choice even harder. Association of Blind Citizens Southland branch chair Carolyn Weston said Total Mobility was an essential service and also advocated for better public transport. 'Because buses are not necessarily accessible to disabled people, people are using Total Mobility probably more than they need to,' she told councillors. Her written submission called for an overhaul of the bus service so that it could be more 'receptive, accessible, reliable and affordable'. Weston requested audio announcements be reintroduced, because it was 'embarrassing' they were no longer offered by one of the first cities to use them. Directions given to council staff from elected members on 1 April included developing a process to limit Total Mobility trip numbers and considering a reduction in subsidy to 50 percent.
Otago Daily Times
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Calls to retain disability transport funding
Disability groups are pushing for retention of Total Mobility funding amid potential trimming of the service in Invercargill. CCS Disability Action access co-ordinator Mary O'Brien presented to the city council this week as part of its annual plan consultation, urging it to continue funding the programme at current levels. "Total Mobility is an essential service for many people. It's there to provide a service for people who cannot use other forms of transport," she said. The nationwide transport initiative assists people who struggle to get around, fares subsidised 75% by central and local government, to a limit. Invercargill's programme has seen an 88% increase in popularity for the three years to 2023-24, prompting the city council to explore disincentivising options. Although some used it for recreation, it was mostly used for essentials services such as shopping or going to the doctor, Ms O'Brien said. The potential funding reduction has already received push-back from the organisation, which said last month it would negatively impact disabled people. It also comes at a time when the council is considering increasing public transport fares. Cash fares range from $1.10 to $3, but could jump to $5 for some as the government pushes for increased self-funding. Ms O'Brien's written submission said public transport was important for helping disabled people meet their daily needs because they were less likely to access cars. "We receive continual feedback from disabled people that they are continually having to make difficult choices such as purchasing food, heating their homes or paying for transport," she wrote, an increase in fares making that choice even harder. Association of Blind Citizens Southland branch chair Carolyn Weston said Total Mobility was an essential service and also advocated for better public transport. "Because buses are not necessarily accessible to disabled people, people are using Total Mobility probably more than they need to," she told councillors. Her written submission called for an overhaul of the bus service so that it could be more "receptive, accessible, reliable and affordable". Mrs Weston requested audio announcements be reintroduced, because it was "embarrassing" they were no longer offered by one of the first cities to use them. Directions given to council staff from elected members on 1 April included developing a process to limit Total Mobility trip numbers and considering a reduction in subsidy to 50%. ■LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
