hawkesbaycouncilwatch

To all who visit Meerkat have a safe and happy xmas.

The new Regional Councillors feel they have a big issue over the Tuki tuki river contamination.The approach shows a total lack of understanding of processes and when it comes to the ex Mayor of CHB it is so surprising he is trying to apportion blame to the HBRC when he was head of the council who was responsible for the appalling state of waste water treatment in Central Hawkes Bay.  The regional council was not tough enough on CHB council and they should have been made to confront the wastewater treatment issue and install proper treatment systems .The cost was a major but there were avenues to provide funding.
Yet again the tough issues are put in the hard basket.
The ex Mayor of CHB failed and shouldn’t expect to put the knife in from the inside. 

Meerkats prefer hot dry weather.It’s great for making mounds to play in and sit on.
You can be sure that when the HDC introduces a fire ban it will rain within days.Hastings is being dowsed again and the locals are saying “what great news for the farmers”.Well it is .But it is also a pain for stonefruit growers who are harvesting and looking forward to early season income.
HDC will aslo say we can’t lift the fireban because it is still dry.
Talking of water HDC water supply manager said before the rain people were using 50 million litres of water a day.It has dropped back to 30 million and the council want people to be serious about water conservation.
With the Mayor talking about sustainability as well maybe they should look at the councils approach to what is available in water saving for new home builders in particular.Up until now they have shown no interest.
It’s time they caught up with other councils such as Kapiti who are leading the way.

One always should be careful when climbing over a fence,especially if it has barbed wire.
The latest column by a Regional Councillor in HB Today has exposed the discontent among the members of the council and the unsuitability of some of them to the job.Several appear to be happy sitting around the table somewhat smug after the last election and some have had  hidden agendas  upset .Tough.
To suggest the ratepayers elect a Chair of the Regional Council is a silly idea.There is enough posturing now and names taking roles they do not suit.
A better idea would be to do away with Mayors.Many Mayors around the country step outside their figurehead role and try to dictate all manner of decisions.John Banks would have to be the best example.
   

Hastings DC has announced the appointment of Ross McLeod as CEO of Hastings District Council.
He has been working at Waitakere City Council since 1992 and has an impressive list of achievements.
Lets hope he can change to a council with a hugely important rural area and issues that may differ considerably to those in Auckland.
 

I suppose Xmas is a good time to ponder about things like woodburners.They are such nasty appliances and cause more harm than good.
Mr Buchanan has outlined their horrible emmission results to the HBRC.
It’s time someone in the Regional Council stood up and said they will defy the Governments aims to cause people to have cold winters.Maybe a councillor like Mr Dick or Mr Kirton?
Why is it when we inherit a dictatorial government do we summon a no response from people on a range of draconian issues?
We watch our so called leaders with interest.  

What electors did not know about Making Waves endorsed candidates at election time ,was that one of the aims was to create a regional legacy fund.
Never mind what councils legal responsibilities and fuctions are they can’t see past their own aims.
Perhaps this is why one of the more surprising waves is trying to create a tidal wave by pursuing this objective .
The port may be a target of Making Waves connections to enable a money grab to fund their wishlist.
More to come. 

What is going on with Hawkes Bay Inc?
This body has been through many stages and changes and has gobbled up hundreds of thousands of dollars of ratepayers money over the years and claimed all manner of success.
If anyone has benefitted it has been the lucky ones at the forefront of the tourism and wine sectors who have gained from being first in line for the dollars.
The so-called trickle down effect has not taken place and the workers are still on the minimum wage and producers take what they are given.
Motels have been among the winners as well but do they contribute to the fund,well no more than a house next door.
HB Inc is to be put under the wing of the REGIONAL COUNCIL as a business unit.Will this help?Who knows but the best course of action is to pull funding and let private enterprise sort it out among themselves.
Meerkat will be keeping watch on events next year. 
   

Port Of Napier shareholders have approved plans to expand the Port facilities to better equip for future shipping requirements. The sums required to achieve this are not insubstantial but the first stage looks feasible and necessary.
Those who have suggested the Port be moved to Clive will be disappointed but most in the region will see this as a positive move.
The port has come a long way over the last 15 years and has adapted well to the challenges and changes that  have confronted this sector.
The Port remains a strategic asset and is a jewel in the crown as far as Hawkes Bay is concerned.The Port has been contributing hugely to the region in many directions and is very much part of all Napier people.
As a jewel, there is always the attention from those who would like to steal all of it,or part of it away so that the returns can be diverted into the pockets of a myriad of shareholders from out side the region,or maybe into the pockets of a superfund from Canada or elsewhere.
There are currently some underhand moves taking place that seek to put the port shareholding up for discussion once again.
While some candidates during the election campaign were clearly in favour of selling some or all of the port, it is possible there were others who weren’t entirely up front about their stand on the Port of Napier.
The people of Hawkes Bay need to make it quite clear to those who seek to sell down the Port that it is a stupid move.
Don,t do it.  

A couple of interesting interviews on Chatroom (now channel 89 on sky) today.
The new Chair of the Regional Council gave a rundown on how he saw things shaping up over the next three years.
Good to see plenty of emphasis on environmental matters and core functions of the Regional Council.Rex has a mountain of experience on council and should be able to guide them safely this term.
The other interview with Frank Spencer,valuer was illuminating.
No problem with wanting HB to be a great place to live but this ongoing push for amalgamation of councils is getting tiresome.Frank says business people want it and ratepayers don’t.I wonder why.The business community just fail to understand the role of the regional council and cannot see what a disaster such a move would be.The continued parroting that amalgamation would bring better leadership is a chamber of commerce call that has no meaning.Who is going to be leader?One of them?Does leadership mean money?
Yes it means the business community can see ways of spending ratepayers money that will suit them.Sell the port.
They know best.
When will they learn?