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Water Infrastructure Overhaul – 15.8km of Pipe Renewals in Lower Hutt
This post is part of a series where I break down key highlights from the Hutt City Council’s 2023-24 Annual Report. My goal is to make council work more accessible and show you what we’ve actually achieved over the past year—not just what we plan to do.
Continue readingWhat We’ve Achieved: A Look Back at Hutt City Council’s 2023-24 Annual Report
Last week, the Hutt City Council signed off on our 2023-24 Group Annual Report. This report is a great opportunity for me to do what I’m passionate about—demystifying what the council does and making it easier for people to see the tangible outcomes of our work. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing key highlights from the report—real, practical examples of what we’ve achieved for our community.
Continue readingWhy Capping Rate Increases Might Be a Recipe for Financial Mayhem
Ah, the age-old debate on local council finances – finding the sweet spot between necessary spending and not making every ratepayer feel like they’re footing an ever-growing bill. Lately, there’s been a push to cap council rate increases some argue at a fixed amount per year, others limiting it to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or inflation estimates. It sounds neat and tidy on paper, like saying you’ll only eat as many cookies as you’ve had in the past month. But in reality, it’s like trying to fit a giraffe into a mini. Here’s why this simplistic approach could lead us straight into a financial jungle.
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