The latest rates bill from Waikato District Council has been causing confusion around Whaingaroa with many thinking approximately $1800 dollars has been added to their tap water cost.
At the root of the confusion is the use of the word ‘waters’ as a catch-all phrase for tap water, sewerage and stormwater. The $1800 that ratepayers have seen under the IAWAI Waters column is the cost of managing the sewerage system and has been transferred from the council rating list to the IAWAI Waters list to join the tap water charge.
IAWAI Flowing Waters is the Council Controlled Organisation set up by Hamilton City and Waikato Councils after the government passed legislation requiring councils to make the change, with the expectation it would resolve the 3-Water crisis.
Ownership of the tap water and sewerage systems was transferred from our council to IAWAI at the start of July this year. Ratepayers still retain ownership of the systems because Hamilton and Waikato Councils are the only shareholders, holding an equal 50:50 stake in the company.
To add to the confusion the Council has retained control of the stormwater system but is contracting IAWAI to maintain it. This means the stormwater charge is still listed as a council rate but IAWAI branded vehicles and staff will be visible working on the system on local streets and the bottom line of the rates bill is still the same as it would have been.
Waikato District’s Creative Communities Scheme fund is currently open for applications. The fund aims to support art activities that celebrate the uniqueness of the Waikato district, and its goal is to increase participation in the arts sector and encourage young people to participate in local arts. If you’re involved in any form of art including music, dance, writing and any other interpretative expression you have until 27th August to apply at the Waikato District Council website.
The Creative Communities Scheme funding is provided by Creative NZ. and distributed by councils throughout New Zealand.
Raglan Surfers will once again be heading to the ISA World Junior Surfing Championships this September.
The event in El Salvador is being held from the 4th – 13th September and Alani Morse will be returning for a 4th time, and will be eyeing a podium finish in the U16 competition.
Meanwhile Van Camenzind will be competing for the first time in the U18 division. Naturally he said he was “really stoked to get the opportunity“.
The team will be coached by a couple of Raglan surfers as well with Billy Stairmand and Daniel Kereopa making the trip.
And in Football news, the Raglan Roosters only lost 2 nil on the weekend in their match against the Waikato Dragons at Papahua. Although it was a big improvement over the previous weekend it still leaves them at the bottom of the Division One table of the Waikato Sunday Football League.Raglan news Bulletin: Rates Panic, Arts Funding & Local Sport.