An average rate increase of 0.3 per cent to existing ratepayers, a big boost to work to protect water quality and solid funding for biodiversity and flood control feature in Waikato Regional Council’s 2014/15 draft budget signed off for public consultation yesterday.
A free new smartphone app for water users has hit 11,000 downloads in its first two months and is ranking in the top three sports applications for iPhone and Android devices.
Waikato Regional Council chief executive Vaughan Payne is proposing a new streamlined organisational structure focussed on stakeholders, strategy and technical excellence.
Concern at the number of complaints about agrichemical spray drift in recent months has prompted Waikato Regional Council to remind people they need to follow the rules to avoid affecting other people’s properties.
Bus travel is set to become easier for people in wheelchairs and with prams, with Hamilton’s bus network becoming fully accessible from next Monday, says Waikato Regional Council.
3.30pm update
Waikato Regional Council says it appears a significant spill of diluted weed spray into a stream near Waikino has had little environmental effect so far but people are being urged to remain cautious over contact with the stream water.
Issued on behalf of Sea Change-Tai Timu Tai Pari
As thousands of kiwis use the Hauraki Gulf for recreation over summer, the Sea Change-Tai Timu Tai Pari project designed to protect its health is announcing excellent progress.