How does a P95 $75.9 million dollar dam blow out to $300 million? Yes, you heard that right. The Waimea Irrigation Dam is on track to push closer to $300 million than the currently revealed $180 million. Despite the fact that they have been trying to hide increases by dropping aspects of the dam that were part of the original quote and now calling them an extra, there … [Read More...]
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More Lies More Debt
You elected more of the same, and they delivered for you. I ran for mayor against a deputy mayor with 20 years of experience that told the residents of Tasman … [Read More...]
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Council Health Check
I must preface this post with an update of my situation after more than one Code of Conduct complaint brought against me for the content of my blog. The problem, I … [Read More...]
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Spend Spend Spend
The impact of the Government’s response to COVID-19 is beginning to be felt around the country with much more still to come as the wage subsidy is yet to run out and still no sign of a business as usual call from the Government. In the current Long Term … [Read More...]
Spin Doctoring
Dr Spin goes to work in the Council Newsline again this week (8 May 2020). See if you can spot the trend. On the Motueka Library project: On the topic of permanently chlorinating all water supplies: Obviously, we are a council that likes to assess … [Read More...]
Same Again With Different Results
The Council trend of more of the same continued last week, sorry, the same results after all. On Tuesday we voted for more unbudgeted spend to expedite our Freedom Camping bylaw review. How anyone could imagine that we are going to be plagued with Freedom … [Read More...]
COVID Lock Down Update
As we near the end of lock down (well, at least we are allowed takeaways – right?) I thought it a good opportunity to do a stock-take. Where are we at and what is going on in Council? Besides which my Councillor update in Newsline that was supposed to go … [Read More...]
TDC Limited Options
Rate increases are being flagged across the country as inappropriate at this time. The taxpayer's Union has called for a rate freeze for all Councils. Taxpayer Talk: Should local councils freeze rates?April 01, 2020 Louis HoulbrookeDespite the … [Read More...]
Dam Jumble Of Geology
[This is a purely fictitious tale, any resemblance to fact or persons alive or dead is totally coincidental.] As news of yet another Dam blowout reverberates around the district there appears to be more than crumbling rock at the heart of it. Signs are also … [Read More...]
Rate Increases Ahead
It never ceases to amaze me how fiscal responsibility is not one of the top considerations in Council decisions. We have a global crisis on our hands, with countries in lock-down, stock markets crashing, and businesses shedding staff. And yet it appears that … [Read More...]