It’s interesting following the dissection of Auckland local government as central government plucks out the plums and leaves the crumbs for the democratic process. Now the ratepayers are revolting, but sadly it’s too late and the ‘local’ is being stolen out of local government. Transport, water, wastewater – all major monopoly infrastructure expenditure items will soon have no direct political oversight (water More...

As expected, an informal meeting between elected members and staff produced a realistic way forward as the hard facts were laid bare. Peeling back all the argy bargy carry on over the Pick 6 inspired Notice of Motion requiring staff to come up with another $2.5 million of rates savings, the Pick 6 councillors with Bill Grainger and minus Hayden Evans appeared to come away with a better understanding of council’s financial More...

At the annual City Partners State of the City breakfast last week, Mayor Stuart Crosby once again raised the matter of amalgamation/takeover of local government councils in the Bay. It’s an old chestnut – talk of a unitary (single) council has been going on for years. A close scrutiny of the pros and cons might produce an unexpected outcome, especially if the existing Local Government Commission was involved. We might end up More...

Recently I had yet another storm water flooding incident reported down in Matua. Staff investigated and have just advised the residents that as there is no allowance in the 10 year plan for such works, nothing could be done for them. Advice to these residents was to make sure nothing blocked the over land flow path of storm water which might help prevent their homes flooding. That of course depends on how hard it rains. Photos I was shown More...

The Local Government Commission has done it to Tauranga again. Their decision to alter the wards from one elected number to two for each of the three wards defies logic and what those who appealed wanted. The Local Government Commission has done it to Tauranga again. Their decision to alter the wards from one elected number to two for each of the three wards defies logic and what those who appealed wanted. Worst of all their decision is More...

A huge bouquet and thank you to the good/great citizens of Brookfield, Otumoetai, Matua and Bethlehem for your immediate response to council’s request to conserve water when the main pipeline to the reservoirs broke. Savings in water consumption of 30 per cent meant no one ran out of water. Had these savings not been achieved there would have been water shortages for some, pressure drops and possible consequential damage to the system. More...

Welcome back to what is already shaping up to be a time of fun, frolics and other political happenings in the run up to October’s local government elections. Council commenced its deliberations on the draft annual plan for 2010-2011 with four full days scheduled to discuss what will be in the budget to go out for public consultation in March. That’s all it is – a draft, and in spite of what you may read or hear elsewhere More...

Last week saw the final full council meeting for the year. Mayor Stuart Crosby thanked staff and elected members for their contribution. As he was speaking about elected member’s contributions, some wag chimed in “from time to time”. A lengthy meeting started with re-confirming the BOP Cricket Association proposal for its long term $6 million project for an upgraded cricket facility on Blake Park. Council has already agreed a More...

Harbourlink, the new harbour bridge, viaduct and interchange opens officially this Friday December 18. Back in 2004 it was being suggested that we would be lucky to be driving on it by 2010. Thanks to a stunning effort by all involved – Fletchers, Transit – now “the Agency” – and sub-contractors the project is well ahead and well under budget – some $29m– in an open book profit/loss share More...

Tauranga Art Gallery: Who should be paying the costs? At last the tender for the Indoor Sport and Exhibition Centre (ISEC) has been confirmed and awarded to Hawkins Construction. Tender price, negotiated with Hawkins is $26,743,950. There were a number of alterations to the original specifications and some points of clarification that have been the subject of negotiations over the past few days. Access roading around the perimeter of More...