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July 1, 2015
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Mad dogs and Mathesons Bay swimmers Goosebumps and chattering teeth didn’t deter about 40 brave souls from hitting the water at Matheson Bay, on Sunday June 21, for the annual winter solstice swim. Although one or two swimmers donned a rash shirt, most braved the chilly sea in just their togs. Dogs and penguins also made an appearance. While few frolicked for long, a number completed a short course around a buoy anchored just off shore. It was then a quick dash up the beach to towels, hot water bottles and a hot cuppa at the coffee cart. The average sea temperature in June is normally around 16.4 degrees, slightly higher than the average low of the year of 14.6, which usually occurs in August. The sea is normally at its warmest in February when the average temperature is 21.2 degrees. Averil Lovegrove (pictured), aged 87, was among the winter swimmers. She said she’s swum in the Irish Sea and “it was about on a par!”
Council takes more, spends less in Rodney Spending by the Rodney Local Board has taken a huge hit in its 2015/16 budget despite the rate take from Rodney increasing by nearly 10 per cent. The Board finalised its 2015/16 budget at a meeting last month. It includes a 20 per cent drop in total spending by the Board, from $28.1 million to $22.4 million. This does
not include spending by Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs) and regional expenditure such as libraries. This is set against a backdrop of an increased rate take by Auckland Council, from $64 million to $70 million a year. The new funding agreement between the Board and Council was adopted
last month. Member Greg Sayers registered the only vote against the agreement. He accused Council of “rates gouging”. “I don’t think ratepayers want Board members to agree to these cuts,” he said. “It’s unreasonable to see that level of continued rates gouging. Ratepayers are screaming out for a fair share and I’m using my vote as a protest.
“It’s not an indictment of the Local Board. We do our best to be prudent with what little we have.” At the Board meeting Mr Sayers also criticised a lack of transparency in CCO’s, which were unable to provide a breakdown of spending in each local board area. In the funding agreement, capital
off the drawing board this month . . .
new home – coastal northland
l Graham SawelArchitecturAl Designer
PH 425 9759
9 Falls St • Warkworth
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