Water shortage, the dam and our rate increases
So now it's official, the dam that we all appear to so desperately need with our ongoing water shortage is now a further $25 million over budget and they haven't even started to pour concrete yet!! With the type of "skilled" project management that TDC staff employed for the management of the resurfacing of Bateup Road how can we ratepayers possibly have any cause to be concerned that our annual rate increase will exceed even further the 1.9% predicted by the newly elected Mayor of Richmond for the construction of this major project? The original figure banded about by the previous Mayor was $70 million and I wonder if anyone is taking bets that the final bill will be nearer double that amount?
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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85.5% Yes
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13.3% No
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1.1% Other - I'll share below
Railing planters
To gain extra growing space, make and hang these easy-to-build planters on almost any wooden fence or deck railing. Use Resene FX Blackboard Paint so you can easily identify what plants are in each. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.