Homeowners in Whāingaroa (and the wider Waikato district) are facing an average 7% rates increase to their general rates from July 1 – double the projected 3.5% increase that had been in the Long Term Plan for 2023.
“We don’t raise rates lightly,” said Cr Lisa Thomson, adding that the impacts of recent extreme weather events, along with inflation and rising interest rates had contributed to the increase.
Lisa says she is aware the increased cost of living is having a big impact on homeowners already but without the increase in rates, council will not be able to deliver the important services that are expected.
(listen to the interview below:) She also warns that keeping rates low can result in underinvestment in infrastructure and services, or added debt, which can end up costing ratepayers more in the long term.
The rate increase applies to the general rate and households will have additional targeted rates, on top of their general rate, depending on the services in that area like water and waste.
Homeowners can head to the Waikato District Council website to view rating information and apply for rates rebates.
Auckland Anniversary Floods and Cyclone Gabrielle Recovery WDC have been responding to the effects of recent extreme weather events with around $18 million worth of work resulting from damage caused in January and February.
With the Independent Review providing recommendations around Auckland City Council’s response to the emergency, Lisa says that the report will hold learnings for all councils.
“In terms of Waikato District Council, there are good relationships but the thing that I could hear from the radio [about the Auckland report] was that there needs to be better relationships between the Mayor’s office and Civil Defence, council staff and other agencies to collaborate for an effective response,” said Lisa.
Lisa, along with members of the Raglan Community Board, are working with the council to develop a local civil defence plan for Raglan with our own control centre. She says that Raglan’s response to the pandemic showed that we can be effective by increasing community resilience and establishing our own community-led response.
Raglan Land-Based Wastewater Treatment Plant Update An online hui was held on Thursday, April 20 to provide updates on progress for the Raglan Land-Based Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Lisa expressed disappointment that despite high interest around the issue on social media, only two community members were present at the hui.
Council and Watercare staff are currently investigating potential land that has been identified as suitable for land-based treatment. While a significant amount of work has already gone into exploring the different options available – there is still a long road ahead with feasibility studies yet to be undertaken.
Work on the updated wastewater treatment plant goes as far back as 2016, when the current wastewater discharge consent came up for renewal, and options were starting to be explored. At the time, a land-based option wasn’t even on the cards so progress towards land-based treatment has meant a lot of time and research has gone into exploring these treatment options.
“There has been a phenomenal amount of work that has gone into investigating the options. Watercare has brought expertise and their staff are committed to doing better for the community,” said Lisa.
The need for a potential Raglan Structure Plan was brought up at the Wastewater Hui with Watercare’s Stephen Howard explaining that the new piping for the wastewater treatment plant would need to be laid alongside a roading network. A Structure Plan would help planners to identify where future infrastructure and community assets could go based on areas of planned development.
The Public Places and Traffic Bylaw will be adopted this coming Monday 24 April with feedback from Raglan residents resulting in some changes to the wheeled recreational device (like skateboards and scooters) section – making allowances for these devices to be safely used in the Raglan CBD to reflect active and healthy lifestyles.
Work on the Town 2 Surf Cycleway continues along Wainui Rd past the Raglan West shops with large drainage pipes going in to replace the open drains alongside the 2.5m wide pathway – a detour is currently in place. Lisa also says that the Community Footpath Tiles that were laid around 25 years ago, to the west of Karekare Ave, will be immortalised in some way once the new footpath has been laid.
The next Raglan Community Board meeting will be held at the Te Uku Hall on Wednesday, May 3, from 1.30pm. https://raglanradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/RCR-lisa.jpg