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2351 days ago

WAG Draft Submission to GWRC on massive rate hikes for flood protection over coming ten years

John & Evelyn Boon from Waiohine Action Group

Everyone will end up paying hundreds more every year in flood protection rates if we let GWRC change our rating mix for flood protection. It affects everyone in the Wairarapa. It is much, much higher than GWRC have been trying to suggest. Submissions close on 29th (online) and need to be posted today or tomorrow for paper submissions. Our GWRC Councillor is urging everyone to help her make a stand on this by sending in a submission. So say "NO" to the proposed 70/30 rate hike. Online form is below, it takes a few minutes. Get everyone you know to respond, once again the 'rapa needs to be heard over the hill.
Waiohine Action Group (WAG) represent nearly two hundred ratepayers steering the development of a new Waiohine FMP. We have looked into the proposal GWRC and found that it starts with a big hike but (hidden away by GWRC) it gets massive a few years out as we ALL have to pay for a long list of massive flood protection schemes wanted by GWRC for the 'rapa at a much higher share than we do now. We're also pretty disappointed with the Machiavellian way that some GWRC people have deliberately concealed the extent of the hikes and even that this proposed change is going on. Why are they doing that? Because unless there are lots of submissions, they will push it through and say you were consulted.
GWRC proposal to target flood protection is one way traffic, apart from a scheme in the Hutt Valley, other flood protection schemes are largely complete - except for many millions of dollars worth needed for the Wairarapa - maybe $50 million in the next ten years. GWRC aren't applying this lop sided rating to some things that only exist on the other side of the hill, such as Regional Parks. It's pretty clear that this disadvantages our sparse rural community.
We enclose a DRAFT submission for WAG that we'd appreciate your comment on before it is finalised and submitted on Friday. We urge you to make a submission and be heard. If everyone ignores this then we'll end up seriously out of pocket.
Have a go, share with you friends and family and get them to do it too.

WAG Submission to GWRC - DRAFT.pdf Download View

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5 days ago

Poll: Should employees be able to work from home?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

At the post-Cabinet press conference, the National Party asserted they want public sector staff to return to the office. This has opened a conversation about other sectors in New Zealand who have adopted working from home (WFH).

Where possible, do you think employees should be able to work from home? Vote below and share your thoughts in the comments.

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Should employees be able to work from home?
  • 71.6% Yes
    71.6% Complete
  • 25.4% No
    25.4% Complete
  • 3% Other - I'll share below
    3% Complete
2386 votes
1 day ago

Guess what? It’s riddle time in the neighbourhood!

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

What can travel all around the world while remaining stuck in a corner?

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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16 hours ago

Train Tracks to Featherston this Sunday!

Denver Grenell from Masterton & Martinborough isite Visitor Centres

Two kiwis. 89 days of travel. 33 trains. 19 countries.

Featherston Booktown is delighted to bring author, Gregory Hill to Featherston on Sunday October 6, to share his epic train journey from Wellington to Spain. He will be in conversation with popular Featherston Booktown Chair, Peter Biggs.

This event will be part of a day of celebration of trains and railways in Featherston. The Wairarapa Railway Modellers Inc and the Garden Railway Group will display and run model train sets in the Anzac Hall, The Fell Engine Museum will be open, the Cross Creek Railway's Mini Fell locomotive will be running and book shops will showcase their train books. Get on board - tickets from Eventfinda!

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