Amalgamation - Has UH Gone Past It
I have been a strong advocate for amalgamating local Government in the Wellington region. So much so that I was part of a small team of advocates some years ago under the chairmanship of Kerry Prendergast.
But pipes for water and sewerage are now such a huge issue for Wellington and Lower Hutt in particular and somewhat in Porirua. So much so that Upper Hutt would be foolish to want to amalgamate and help carry the burden of the billions of dollars required to bring the piping up to the reasonable standard enjoyed by Upper Hutt residents.
Perhaps there is a way around it. Central Government might want to step in and provide taxation dollars to fix the problem that sees a wastage of upwards of 50% of water from burst and leaking water pipes and sewerage piping also leaking and contaminating streams which flow into the sea. And thus "pave the way" for a level playing field for ratepayers and the local councils in the region to join forces under one umbrella, one city.
We're talking new year resolutions...
Tidying the house before going to bed each night, meditating upon waking or taking the stairs at work.
What’s something quick, or easy, that you started doing that made a major positive change in your life?
What word sums up 2024, neighbours?
If 2020 was the year of lockdowns, banana bread, and WFH (work from home)....
In one word, how would you define 2024?
We're excited to see what you come up with!