Proposed rates increase trimmed
After deliberating on community submissions to its 2018-28 Long Term Plan, the Whakatāne District Council has signalled a number of changes, and a small decrease in the average rate rise proposed for 2018/19.
Mayor Tony Bonne says the LTP hearings and deliberations were a lengthy but rewarding process. “This is an opportunity for people to tell us about their concerns and aspirations for the District and for elected members to consider how the Council can address the community’s priorities,” he says. “As always, there is a gap between what we would like to do and what the community can afford to do, but I feel we have found a good balance through this LTP. We’ll now prepare the final LTP for auditing and approval next month.”
Read the full article and more about the key changes to the budgets set out in the LTP consultation document (subject to audit confirmation) on our website:
www.whakatane.govt.nz...
Does Your Organisation Need New Flooring?
Is the flooring at your school, early childhood, community or sports centre old and threadbare? Or perhaps you have a new space where there’s no flooring at all. Your organisation could be eligible to receive $2,000 + gst from the RhinoKids Flooring Fund to go towards new flooring. Plus, one lucky organisation will win a $20,000 flooring makeover!
Carpet Court is continuing its’ mission to help improve Kiwi kids’ learning environments by rolling out its’ nationwide fund for the fifth year in a row. Apply today!
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)
.
Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
-
84.4% Yes
-
14% No
-
1.6% 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.