Dear Emily, Kelvin, Willow-Jean, Shane, Sheryl, Jason, John, Penny

During these times of lockdown, the Northland Businesses and people are feeling rather isolated and frustrated, and you as our elected leaders I expect to be working together so that Northland will be better positioned for the future.  As you are all aware that Northland does have the highest growth in New Zealand, and during this latest lockdown Northlanders are feeling it tough.

Here is a list of items that need your consideration:

In simple terms, when Central Government and Local Councils talk about three waters, what they are referring to drinking water, stormwater and sewerage supply and removal of within the district.  Central Government have now combined this into one recommendation for the Country called Three Waters Reform.

Have you the voter been forgotten?

Well it is now 2021, and Central Government have several items under discussion, yet have they forgotten you the voter?  Water reform, Health reform and enforcement of Maori Wards are just a few of the items where consultation seems to be lost.

This is an age-old question that every Council, and homeowner goes through every year, either when they are looking at their mortgage payments or looking at new investments or even considering a long-term plan.

Roads, are they for Pedestrians or Vehicles?

Not many years back, you could say that roads were generally created for vehicles, and further back you could say for horses.  Todays urban designers are going right back to the basics and saying roads are there to get you from one place to another, and it doesn’t matter what mode you use, horse, foot or wheels!  The question is, can all these co-exist in the same spaces?

So, let us look at good Urban design.

The Whangarei District Council, this Thursday (30^th April 2020) will be getting the Councillors to vote a few items that will directly affect Whangarei’s CBD and business world.

http://www.wdc.govt.nz/YourCouncil/CouncilMeetings/Pages/From-July-2017-Meetings.aspx

On the 30^th of March all the Okara Ward Councillors, for the Whangarei District Council, agreed that something had to be done to support the community that they represent.  So, they presented to the Mayor and CE 4 points to help with the recovery after the COVID 19 virus.

The four points covered the most essential taxing aspects of Council, and they were:

1/ For the 20/21 rating year, a 0% increase on rates