Councillor Lisa Thomson joins us in the studio to provide an update on council developments. Hamilton City Council (HCC) recently announced they would establish its own Council-Controlled Organisation (CCO) for managing three waters services, breaking away from the regional approach that several Waikato councils have been working towards.
HCC’s decision has led Waikato District Council to explore various options for managing water services after its agreement with Watercare ends in 2026. One possibility is forming a partnership with Hamilton City or another larger council. Alternatively, Waikato District Council is considering creating its own Asset-Owning CCO, which it would own and operate independently, without the need for a partnership.
“There’s no easy fix,” Lisa noted. “We need to weigh up all the pros and cons before making any decision, including examining debt capacity, operational governance, and what it would mean for our ratepayers.”
Managing the district’s extensive water infrastructure presents major financial challenges, and partnering with larger councils would ease the burden of upgrading these systems to high standards. Urban growth in Hamilton and areas bordering the Waikato and Waipā Districts also means it makes sense to coordinate planning across council boundaries.
Lisa says that Waikato District Council remains cautious but proactive, committed to exploring all options while collaborating with neighbouring councils to ensure a sustainable water management solution.
Transport Funding Cuts
A recent article in the Waikato Times raised concerns about a $100 million transport funding shortfall for the Waikato region, with $20 million cut from Waikato District’s budget.
Lisa says the council is reviewing the effects of the shortfall, which will result in safety measures like raised crossings and cycling infrastructure being removed from the budget. With only local funding sources like rates and developer contributions remaining, the district’s long-term planning is significantly affected.
Workshops will be held to determine how to best allocate the remaining funds, with the long-term plan being adjusted accordingly. The community will be consulted in early 2025 on spending priorities.
Discussions are also underway regarding shifting responsibility for bus services entirely to the Regional Council, which could result in lower district rates but higher regional rates.
The Future of Māori Wards
The future of Māori wards has been uncertain, as councils face directives from central government to either hold referendums or disestablish the wards. Some councillors, including Lisa, have questioned what would happen if councils refused to comply, with the general belief being that non-compliance could lead to councillors being replaced by government-appointed commissioners.
The Far North District Council has directed its CEO to explore ways of resisting the government's directive.
Lisa hopes that communities will recognise the value of Māori wards, emphasising that Māori representation would involve just two seats out of 14, and increase diversity in decision-making.
Civil Defence Hui
Raglan will host a Community Civil Defence Hui on 14 October at 7pm at the Raglan Fire Station. Local organisations, including Raglan Community Radio, have been invited to discuss a localised response for emergency management, particularly in light of events like Cyclone Gabrielle. Fire Chief Frank Turner has kindly offered the fire station as the venue.
Lisa acknowledged Raglan Community Radio as a crucial communication hub during emergencies, serving as the "one source of truth" in crisis situations.
In preparation for future emergencies, Civil Defence emergency wheelie bins, stocked with key supplies like axes and gloves, have been distributed to local schools, marae, and community facilities. These bins, funded by National Emergency Management and coordinated by Raglan Naturally, are strategically placed around the community.
In other local news, the adoption of the new motorsports bylaw was discussed following recent hearings. "The new policy is much more robust than the previous one," Lisa noted. Both motorsports supporters and opponents were in agreement that the policy was better than the previous bylaw and it now goes to full council for final approval.
Lisa also acknowledged the passing of Malibu Hamilton, a respected advocate for environmental issues. “Malibu was kind, compassionate, and deeply knowledgeable about environmental protections and the Resource Management Act. He will be greatly missed,” she said.
Waikato District Council is seeking feedback from residents to shape the 2025-2034 Long-Term Plan (LTP) and ensure that rates remain at reasonable levels over the next nine years. Visit this page to fill out the survey.