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What’s being generated from Wellington?
Update to Waikato SPN
29 November 2013
Lots!
Our challenge is to keep up….
LGA Amendment Bill
• Overall, the Bill largely changes how council’s conduct their business, not what is their business
• Strong focus on effective asset management planning and assessment of benefits and costs of options
• Substantial changes to Development Contributions
• Substantial changes to consultation requirements
• The Bill introduces ability to have Local Boards in unitary authorities
Submission timeframes still not clear
Fiscal benchmarks
• Seven benchmarks and two indicators
• Affordability, sustainability, predictability
• Reported in 2013/14 Annual Reports
• Initial rates and debt affordability benchmarks =
compliance with each council’s financial strategy
• Overtime Government may choose more absolute
benchmarks
• The 2 affordability indicators are measuring rates and
debt per rating unit (not population)
Burial and cremation legislation
• Issues paper released by Law Commission
• Submissions close 20 December 2013
• The provision of cemeteries and crematoria
• Regulation of the funeral sector
• Decision-making about death and burial
Freshwater Reforms
• Discussion document released
• Amend National Policy Statement for Freshwater
Management• Account for all water takes and sources of contaminants to
inform decisions on objectives and limits
• Introduces National Objectives Framework
• Provides choice of national values with attributes to be
managed
• Sets process for exceptions to bottom lines
• Submissions close 4 February 2014
LG Reorganisation
Themes…
• Unitary authorities
• Bigger is better
• Community Boards
• Māori Board
LG Reorganisation
Northland Council
• Proposal replaces -
Far North District Council
Whangarei District Council
Kaipara District Council
Northland Regional Council
• Submissions close
14 February 2014
LG Reoganisation
Hawke’s Bay Council
• Proposal replaces -
Wairoa District Council
Napier City Council
Hastings District Council
Central Hawke’s Bay District Council
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council
small area of Rangitikei District.
• Submissions close
7 March 2014
Fluoridation
• South Taranaki District Council Judicial Review on decision to fluoridate
Patea and Waverley’s water supply following consultation in 2012
• Health New Zealand claim decision unlawful
• Adding fluoride – therapeutic purposes
• Breached S11 NZ Bill of Rights Act
• Scientific understanding of how fluoride works changed
• STDC claim
• fluoride isn’t medial treatment – health professional not giving to
patient
• Legal under LGA and Health Acts
• Decision will set precedent for all councils
Case Law
Karaka Point Environs and Marlborough District Council
• Focuses on 2012 LTP consultation
• Inadequate articulation of the basis for Council’s decision, and not providing appropriate opportunity for the community to respond.
• A good reminder as we head into the next LTP round…
Other goings on from the Capital…
• Freedom Camping model bylaw (LGNZ)
• Earthquake Prone Buildings
Key drivers for change
• WRC discussion document – with agenda papers
• Environmental scan for strategic planning
• Resource constraints
• Economic trends
• Pace of technology change
• Changing values, perceptions and ideas
• Demographic changes
• Iwi Maori influence
• Increasing regional risks
• Pressure for local government change
• Feedback session at February SPN meeting
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