March 26 2024
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Taking it to the top in Kaiwaka Council seeks new roading provider
The future of Kaipara’s roading network is in the hands of market forces, as roading company Ventia exits and …
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p Hundreds of competitors lined up on March 17 to tackle the Top of the Rock run and walk event in Kaiwaka, enjoying a mild autumn day and incredible scenery along the way. The event is the Kaiwaka Sports Association’s major fundraiser and came with prizes and glory for podium places. Morgan Bull and Michiko Cooper were victorious in the 10km run, while Casey Wright and Pamela Minnet led a field of 95 in the 5km run. A special prize went to Jewell Mills, who completed the entire 10km course at 82.
Rubbish bag regime reprieve
Kaipara’s blue and yellow refuse bags will remain part of the landscape for at least a further three years as the …
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Precise cuts ease rates rise u by Andy Bryenton
A push for further savings by Kaipara District councillors has managed to further curb rates rises.
Lions host heritage occasion
The Paparoa Lions Club has celebrated a special anniversary for the town and the long-term commitment of a …
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“We’re in the same unenviable position as many other councils around New Zealand, shouldering huge cost increases and trying to balance that with rates affordability,” said mayor Craig Jepson. Jepson and his Kaipara District Council colleagues fired a battery of financial questions toward KDC staff, all of which have now been answered. This hard and detailed look at the finances of the council has delivered further savings. A projected rates rise averaging more than 18 per cent has been dropped to 15 per
cent or less thanks to late-breaking cuts to the council’s forthcoming three-year Long Term Plan. The rates rise reduction has been achieved by setting back the roll-out of bins to replace Kaipara’s blue bag rubbish regime, slashing a further $200,000 of employee costs in council, removing a $1 million payment towards a new Dargaville library, changes to the Kaiwaka footpaths project, among other measures. Documents shared with councillors at last week’s LTP meeting suggest that
for the three years of the plan, the rates increases, after growth, will be 15.1% in 2024, 8.4% in 2025 and 3.4% in 2026. Like many civic leaders around New Zealand, mayor Jepson is unequivocal in his assessment of the primary driver of these rises: Three Waters being axed with no forthcoming government support. “We are majorly impacted by this, and it’s clear that we cannot burden our ratepayers with the level of investment needed for our Three Waters services,” Mr Jepson said. ¢
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