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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

Heat on senior staff as councillors pick apart landslide failures
Risk & Compliance

Heat on senior staff as councillors pick apart landslide failures

Council chiefs faced intense scrutiny after a review said six deaths in the Mount Maunganui landslide were preventable, with inquiries still under way.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 5 min read • Today
Civil Defence group writes to Minister over rates cap concerns
Risk & Compliance

Civil Defence group writes to Minister over rates cap concerns

Emergency response funding could be squeezed under planned rates caps, prompting Southland Civil Defence to seek an exemption from the Minister.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 2 min read • Today
Wairarapa water entity eyes up new HQ
Public Sector

Wairarapa water entity eyes up new HQ

Residents across Wairarapa and Tararua are set to gain safer, more reliable water services as Waitī Waters prepares for a July launch.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Yesterday
Mount Maunganui slip: Full reopening of facilities could cost up to $38m
Disaster Recovery

Mount Maunganui slip: Full reopening of facilities could cost up to $38m

Restoring full access to the Mount Maunganui base could require up to GBP £38 million in slope works, a risk assessment says.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 5 min read • Yesterday
'The holes will get bigger': $1.9m to test lake wall fixes labelled 'delay tactics'
Local Government

'The holes will get bigger': $1.9m to test lake wall fixes labelled 'delay tactics'

Lake advocates say the wall may keep corroding for years, with repairs now pushed into 2027 and costs put at up to GBP £12.5 million.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 5 min read • Yesterday
'Asinine' speed bump removal plan: Tāhunanui Hills residents forced to be first responders
National Party

'Asinine' speed bump removal plan: Tāhunanui Hills residents forced to be first responders

Residents say crashes are likely to rise if Nelson council removes speed cushions that cut traffic and reduced collisions on Tāhunanui Hills roads.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 5 min read • Yesterday
Bid to stop Canterbury water project expansion fails
Conservation

Bid to stop Canterbury water project expansion fails

The Environment Court has upheld the scheme, though tougher conditions must be filed after objections over Rangitata water use were rejected.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Yesterday
No go for trucks on 'low strength' Dannevirke bridge
Local Government

No go for trucks on 'low strength' Dannevirke bridge

Heavy vehicles will be diverted from a vital Dannevirke route after tests found the 103-year-old Rawhiti Bridge is far weaker than thought.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 2 min read • Yesterday
Kāpiti Coast weighs up $1.4m splash on manu pool
Energy efficient

Kāpiti Coast weighs up $1.4m splash on manu pool

Councillors will decide on Thursday whether to back a bigger Ōtaki pool rebuild that could make the site the lower North Island's only manu pool.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Yesterday
Consents backlog whittled down but some waiting ten years
Licensing

Consents backlog whittled down but some waiting ten years

Long-delayed mining and resource applications are still pending on the West Coast, though the council has cut the queue to 43 from 199.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 2 min read • Yesterday
Gisborne council to explore campervan dump station after decade-long push
Local Government

Gisborne council to explore campervan dump station after decade-long push

Pressure is mounting on Gisborne's tourism infrastructure, with councillors weighing a campervan waste site after years of complaints and a closure.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Rakaia's new water meters struggle with wi-fi reception
Internet of Things

Rakaia's new water meters struggle with wi-fi reception

About a quarter of the Rakaia rollout cannot yet report readings, leaving Ashburton District Council unable to rely on the system for wider use.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
'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