Record community feedback on Council survey
More than 800 people provided nearly 2,000 responses to the Council’s survey on its Long Term Plan for 2025-2034. The survey, which gathered feedback on services and activities from libraries to property, and from roading to waste management, closed late last month.
Prior to delaying the LTP for a year in order to gain greater certainty on our approach to 3 Waters, the work programmes and budgets first developed for the 10-year plan indicated the need for a general rate increase of 13.75% this year and 6% for the next two years.
Instead, the Council managed to cut the general rate increase from 13.75% to 11.9% this year, but is now grappling with a major loss of NZTA funding support for its roading (a shortfall of nearly $35m for new works and $1.9m for maintenance), and rising costs across other services. So your survey feedback will help the Council focus on key areas for further investigation, considering the impact on rates, debt, and levels of service.
Your opinion is also sought on:
Speed limits - The Council is developing a new Speed Limit Plan to conform with speed limit rules introduced by the Government this year reversing changes made by the previous Government. The new plan will take the place of our Speed Limit Bylaw 2011. Let us know what you think about the speed limit changes in your Ward by 27 November.
How we consult - We’re updating the Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy which establishes how we should consult with our community, and on what subjects. The policy determines the ‘significance’ of Council’s decisions and proposals, and how the Council will engage with the community on different types of proposals – depending on their ‘significance’. Tell us what you think by 11 November.
Alcohol bans in public places – The Council’s Alcohol Control Bylaw is a tool that helps NZ Police manage alcohol related harm in public places. Changes to bans operating in Raglan, Huntly, Tuakau, Pookeno, Mercer and Taupiri are being considered and consultation on this bylaw is open until 8 December. For this and other
Have your say: For all these matters go to www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz/say-it.
WRC transport rates re-think
Waikato Regional Council has presented to Waikato District Council on some new options for rating for public transport expected to be developed for community consultation early next year. One option, assessed favourably for its fit with principles including fairness, and representing only moderate change, was a “Greater Wellington Approach” which would divide the Waikato region into three rating zones – city, central area, and regional. The central area would include the southern half of Waikato District, as well as Waipa District and part of Matamata-Piako District. Estimates (illustrative only) of uniform charges for residential properties that might apply for the central area ranged from $26-$28 to $55-$77 (depending on the model chosen). An option to set rates based on property CVs has not yet been modelled for this approach. A recording of the October 8 presentation is available on the Waikato District Council website on its ‘Agendas, reports and minutes’ page.
Pre-consultation survey - Waikato Regional Council has now opened a ‘pre-consultation’ public survey on three possible public transport models. See https://yourvoicematters.waikatoregion.govt.nz/regional-public-transport-rating.
The survey closes on 27 November and the options are:
A region-wide flat rate
A model that combines a region-wide flat rate (20% of total) with a rate on properties in urban areas serviced by public transport (80% of the total)
A model in which rates will differ based on the level of access to public transport services, and property type.
Sub-options are either (a) a uniform charge, or (b) a capital-value based charge.
WRC says that following this survey, the models will be refined and formal consultation held with the community in April 2025 before moving to regional rating from 1 July 2025.
District Plan milestone
Decisions on ‘Variation 3 – Enabling Housing Supply’, have introduced a new medium density residential zone (allowing three houses of up to three stories) in our main towns, Ngaruawahia, Huntly, Pookeno and Tuakau. The decisions have been notified and made operarive through the Proposed District Plan (PDP). These provisions are not applicable anywhere in the Tamahere-Woodlands Ward. However, as appeals on the PDP are progressively settled, more sections of the PDP are expected to be made operative early next year.
Funding for Hukanui Playground
WEL Energy Trust has approved Waikato District Council’s application for ‘capital beneficiary project funding’ for three district projects, including a contribution of $200,000 towards the purchase and installation of equipment for Hukanui Playground next to Gordonton Hall. This enables procurement and construction of the playground to commence, supporting the community’s vision for a new destination playground to attract both locals and visitors.
Roadworks
SH26 – NZTA roadworks on Morrinsville Rd, SH26, near Eureka are expected to finish by 15 November (if not before). A detour for west bound traffic will continue to operate along Tauwhare and Platt Rds until works end.
Hunter Rd, Eureka – A stop/go system for Waikato District Alliance work on the Hunter Rd ‘straight’ from No. 167 to SH26 will operate until after the SH26 works are finished. Then, likely from 18 November, the Eureka end of Hunter Rd will close to allow for full rehabilitation of this section. The work is expected to be finished by about 29 November. There will be no through-traffic on the closed section, but restricted access will be allowed for residents and service providers. This means the public bus (currently diverted down Hunter Rd), the Tauwhare school bus, the rural postie, rubbish collection vehicles and others, will continue to be managed through the site.
Mayoral Awards
Congratulations to all Mayoral Award recipients for outstanding community contribution. Tamahere-Woodlands Ward recipients were: former Eureka Councillor Rob McGuire and Jill McGuire; long-standing Tauwhare and Matangi Hall Committee chairs Lockie Verner and Ian Wallace; and Jane Manson of St Stephen’s Tamahere, convenor of the Tamahere Country Market since it started in 2004. Sadly, Rob McGuire passed away before the awards were presented. (Jane Manson's daughter Alex accepted on her behalf).
Contact your Tamahere-Woodlands Councillors:
Crystal Beavis, mob 0275 957 927, email crystal.beavis@waidc.govt.nz
Mike Keir, mob 027 449 3012, email mike.keir@waidc.govt.nz
From the Matangi sports ground to Hillcrest New World via Matangi Rd there are 7 (seven) speed changes in 11 km. Can these be rationalised?