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Local Democracy Reporter

Former IndustrialDay team member

Read the latest stories by Local Democracy Reporter across the IndustrialDay network.

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Written by Local Democracy

'Tenacity' pays off in community's battle against gravel trucks
Riverbed

'Tenacity' pays off in community's battle against gravel trucks

Residents of Clarkville have won a safer route after heavy trucks were barred from Baynons Road, easing dust and safety fears.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Waikato mayors come out swinging at Government's rates cap
Public Sector

Waikato mayors come out swinging at Government's rates cap

Waikato councils say a 4% rates cap will squeeze funding for water and wastewater, as mayors accuse ministers of hypocrisy.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last week
Gisborne bus patronage falls 16% as public transport network faces changes
Local Government

Gisborne bus patronage falls 16% as public transport network faces changes

Passenger losses have prompted a review of Gisborne's routes, stops and school services after bus use fell 16% in six months.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last week
'Defensible but unpalatable': Road rate aims to put repair costs on higher users
Taxation

'Defensible but unpalatable': Road rate aims to put repair costs on higher users

Forestry and dairy operators could face steep bills under a Carterton council plan to shift more roading repair costs onto heavy users.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Far North dog control crackdown sees workload surge
Northland

Far North dog control crackdown sees workload surge

Council enforcement against unregistered owners drove infringements up more than threefold, as dog control complaints and call-outs nearly doubled.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last week
Tasman council's rivers team 'under-resourced'
Public Sector

Tasman council's rivers team 'under-resourced'

Benchmarking shows Tasman's rivers team is half the size of some peers, despite flood-hit communities pressing for stronger protection.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last week
Rates cap will put squeeze on community groups, facilities - Marlborough deputy mayor
National Party

Rates cap will put squeeze on community groups, facilities - Marlborough deputy mayor

Funding for sports facilities and community grants could be cut as Marlborough council tries to stay within a 4% rates cap.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last week
Heavy traffic dilemma: Gisborne council investigates rerouting trucks
Supply Chain

Heavy traffic dilemma: Gisborne council investigates rerouting trucks

Funding sought for traffic modelling could decide whether heavy goods vehicles are diverted off Gisborne streets, easing pressure on deteriorating roads.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 5 min read • Last week
Car parks could go for upgrade of 'disaster' Nelson cycleway
Climate change

Car parks could go for upgrade of 'disaster' Nelson cycleway

Public pressure is building for changes to Nelson's St Vincent Street cycleway, as the council weighs parking removals after 12 crashes since 2014.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 5 min read • Last week
Rotorua Airport's 20-year business park plan might finally take off
Local Government

Rotorua Airport's 20-year business park plan might finally take off

Approvals for earthworks on 5.65 hectares could unlock a 20-year airport business park plan, with new jobs and flood safeguards in Rotorua.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 5 min read • Last week
Revised Westport flood protection project to cost $40 million
Disaster Recovery

Revised Westport flood protection project to cost $40 million

Ratepayers in Westport may face higher bills as the flood protection scheme's cost blowout prompts a fresh consultation on a revised design.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last week
'Pull the plug': Government reforms could halt new Hawke's Bay water rules
Climate change

'Pull the plug': Government reforms could halt new Hawke's Bay water rules

Farmers may dodge tighter water limits as Hawke's Bay councillors weigh shelving the Tank plan amid government reforms.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Horizons calls halt to 11 iwi partnership processes ahead of RMA repeal
Māori

Horizons calls halt to 11 iwi partnership processes ahead of RMA repeal

Council officers say the scrapped agreements will save little time, but leave 14 iwi entities facing uncertainty over future participation rights.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last week
Wainui coastal adaptation plan put on hold
Climate change

Wainui coastal adaptation plan put on hold

Council plans for Wainui Beach erosion risks have been paused under plan stop legislation, delaying work until the new system is in place.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Closing Porirua landfill could cost $30m
Ministry for the Environment

Closing Porirua landfill could cost $30m

Most of Porirua City's waste budget may be swallowed by closing Spicer Landfill and running a transfer station over the next decade.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Raetihi Marae to close for four months for upgrade
Energy efficient

Raetihi Marae to close for four months for upgrade

Whānau bookings have been moved as the marae shuts from 31 August to 31 December for a new ablution block and safety-critical services work.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last month
Builders' co-op calls for major reform as industry struggles
Small Business

Builders' co-op calls for major reform as industry struggles

Construction activity has slumped to its lowest level since 2015, prompting calls for faster consents and fairer liability rules.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last month
Ohakune water outage raises questions internal review can't answer, councillor says
Risk & Compliance

Ohakune water outage raises questions internal review can't answer, councillor says

Residents of the Ruapehu town were left without taps for nearly three days after a pipeline break went undetected, prompting calls for outside scrutiny.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last month
Southland council accused of breaking flood work promises
Risk & Compliance

Southland council accused of breaking flood work promises

Residents could face weaker flood protection after a former chief financial officer accused Environment Southland of failing to deliver promised work.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last month