Council publishes annual report and summary
The Council has just published its Annual Report and Summary online after adopting the Annual Report on 3 October, shortly before the local body elections.
We’ve set rates and debt levels that balance affordability with the need to provide for our growing community.
Average rates are within Government affordability measures at $2,596 per rateable property, and average debt per rateable property is $2,012.
This is 65 per cent below our current debt servicing limit and leaves a generous capacity for funding services and facilities needed to meet future growth.
A rising number of building consents for new dwellings show Waikato is currently the third-fastest growing district in the country after Selwyn (in Canterbury) and Queenstown, and the Council is seeking new ways to maintain and build the infrastructure the district needs to support an expected population of more than 26 per cent over the next 15 years (from about 69,900 this year to 88,200 in 2031).
The Council’s new roading ‘Alliance’ with Downer NZ is improving efficiencies and customer responsiveness to meet the district’s roading and footpath maintenance needs, ahead of the development of the new Waikato Expressway that – when completed - will mean nearly 100 kilometres of ex-State Highway will be added to the local roading network.
A draft agreement to form a water and waste-water Council-controlled organisation (CCO) with Hamilton City and Waipa District Councils is expected to provide financial savings and other benefits.
We’ve attracted new local businesses and employment to support economically sustainable growth. We’ve introduced new refuse and recycling systems to minimise landfill waste, and we’ve identified significant natural areas and habitats to protect our environment.
We’re working hard to ensure we build our communities as our townships grow,.
We’ve undertaken initiatives to bring people together, from Youth Awards to ‘placemaking’ projects that will help revitalise the public spaces in our towns. We also committed more than $1.2m in grants to nearly 200 community groups throughout the district to enable our communities to come together to meet some of their own needs.
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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13.4% No
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1.1% Other - I'll share below
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.
Do you have a most-hated intersection in Waikato?
New data has pinpointed Hamilton’s most dangerous intersections, including a high risk Cobham Drive turn off that a resident and driving experts believe should be shut for good.
While that turn into Grey St has resulted in the highest number of injuries, most crashes occurred at the bustling intersection of Te Rapa Straight and Wairere Drive.
Do you have a most-hated intersection in Waikato? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
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