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What do you make of the latest rates rise proposal?
In the wake of a potential 25.5% rates shock, Hamilton city councillors have settled on their final pitch to the public: 19.9%.
On average, Hamiltonians would have to pay about $10.90 more towards rates every week. But the rate rises would keep coming, with the city projecting rises of 15.5% for the four years following.
Councillors were not happy about the “unfortunate” decision they had to make to keep the city running during Tuesday evening’s debate on the 2024-34 Long Term Plan, and some say the final number may change after public consultation in March-April.
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Neighbours twice shy of Kāinga Ora plans for CBD apartments
Plans to turn a CBD apartment block into social housing have neighbours worried after a “horrendous” stint as short-term housing.
There were human faeces left on footpaths and theft, say other residents of Hamilton’s Vialou Street.
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Have you been past the old theatre lately?
It was a spectacle that would have thrilled anyone’s inner three-year-old.
And, on Tuesday afternoon, some actual three and two-year-olds were lucky enough to be among those looking on as a pair of gigantic orange demolition excavators tore into the northern wall of Hamilton’s Founders Theatre in the manner of ravenous monsters.
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Are there roads you don't like to drive on in the Waikato?
Once a year Jeff Penno removes drawing pins from a wall map pinpointing serious and fatal crashes his crews have attended, and starts again.
It’s a poignant reminder that not all our roads are up to the standard of the Waikato Expressway - which is so safe the Waikato road policing manager doesn’t need to deploy his team there regularly.
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