WAG Draft Submission to GWRC on massive rate hikes for flood protection over coming ten years
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.
What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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4.9% Second half of November
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43.7% 1st December
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16.7% A week before Christmas
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33.3% Whenever you wish
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1.3% Other - I'll share below
The Neighbourhood’s Brainiest: Can YOU Solve Today’s Riddle?
You see a boat filled with people.
It has not sunk, but when you look again you don’t see a single person on the boat.
Why?
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