Submissions slow to come in
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The community appears to be content with a proposed 9.4% average rates hike with under 1% submitting on the draft annual plan.
The Ashburton District Council is proposing its highest rates increase in over a decade, but as of Monday morning there have only been 58 public submissions on the plan.
In a district with about 15,588 rateable units, the current numbers equate to an 0.37% submission rate, or just 0.16% of the entire district’s population of some 35,000.
The numbers will likely increase in the coming days with consultation closing on Friday.
The council doesn’t always publicly consult on its annual plans, as they often closely align with the long-term plan (LTP), which received 430 submissions last year.
The last annual plan the council publicly consulted on was back in 2016-17, which carried a 3.3% rise, received 58 submissions.
A council spokesman said it's not unusual for the LTPs to receive a greater number of submissions as they usually contain the major funding decisions that generate a large amount of public interest.
“However, we are very keen to hear from as many of our residents as possible on this annual plan.”
The council has been proactive in discussing the proposals, holding four public meetings, one virtually and then in person in Ashburton, Methven, and Rakaia.
Mayor Neil Brown said while the attendance was low, the quality of questions and discussion was good.
Once consultation closes at the end of next week, the council will hold hearings to discuss the submissions on May 24 and 25.
Poll: Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?
Drivers get where they need to go, but sometimes it seems that we are all abiding by different road rules (for example, the varying ways drivers indicate around a roundabout).
Do you think drivers should be required to take a quick driving theory test every 10 years?
Vote in the poll and share any road rules that you've seen bent! 😱
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48.2% Yes
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49.8% No
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1.9% Other - I'll share below
Here's Thursday's thinker!
I am lighter than air, but a hundred people cannot lift me. What am I?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
Here's Friday's Fizzler!
I can be written, I can be spoken, I can be exposed, I can be broken. What am I?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
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