GST sharing is the way to get more infrastructure built

Building enduring infrastructure is one of the biggest challenges facing New Zealand. at’s why ACT has proposed a GST sharing scheme that would see Bay of Plenty councils better o by approximately $79 million.

ACT’s GST-sharing scheme is designed to support local development enabling infrastructure. Councils that consent more, get more.

Councils face poor incentives to allow building. Every new development involves costs to existing ratepayers to provide new roads, water, and sewerage connections. ese costs act as a disincentive for councils to approve new houses and subdivisions.

Instead of forcing councils to beg for special funds from the Government, ACT would provide an enduring and predictable solution for infrastructure funding.

Cyclone Gabrielle has brought signi cant destruction to our shores. e impacts on people’s lives are signi cant, with many having their homes, land and businesses damaged and destroyed. My thoughts are with all the people of Tauranga and around New Zealand who are feeling the e ects of Gabrielle.

I want to extend my thankfulness and gratitude to all those people, be they paid sta , volunteers, council representatives and everyone else involved that has been out there helping with ood and wind mitigation and clean-up e orts. Many of these people have worked tirelessly through the night, doing what they could to help keep the people and homes of their communities safe.

It encourages councils to consent more because they get more when buildings are completed.

e only time you get prompt service from a council is when they’re issuing a parking ticket. ey’ll come to you, anywhere, anytime, because there’s money in it. Imagine if councils issued resource consents with the same gusto as they issued parking tickets?

With councils shouldering the cost for new infrastructure to support housing, it’s no wonder they slow down development.

e next generation of homebuyers don’t need central planning and dictates; we need incentives to consent more developments. is policy would see approximately $1 billion going towards councils nationally and Bay of Plenty getting $79 million of that.

ACT believes in better, longer-lasting solutions.

We are aware a volunteer re ghter has died and another is in a critical condition. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families. ey sel essly serve and put themselves at great risk to protect our communities and their su ering is incredibly distressing.

We are going to see more extreme weather events, and we need the infrastructure to cope with it. As we begin the process of cleaning up and rebuilding, it is time for us to consider how we ensure our communities are best able to adapt to our environment.

We will work across party lines to establish a bi-partisan approach that is practical and e ective. Now is the time to put politics aside and work collectively as one for all New Zealanders. Please take care out there and look after yourselves and one another.

News from Bay of Plenty Regional Council February 2023

Changes to Freshwater Management in the Bay of Plenty

Bay of Plenty Regional Council must make changes to the way we manage the region’s land and water to ensure the health and wellbeing of our freshwater.

Rivers, lakes, streams, groundwater and wetlands are all present here in the Bay, and we value and use these freshwater bodies in many ways; from gathering kai, swimming, fishing and boating, to cultural connection and experiencing nature. People’s livelihoods also depend on freshwater, for domestic and municipal water supply, to sustain crops and their businesses. And the water in rivers and streams sustains important ecosystems and supports a rich tapestry of life. We are continuing work on draft policy options and will seek feedback from the community between April and September 2023. To be kept up-to-date, sign up to receive our Freshwater Flash e-newsletter at boprc.govt.nz/newsletters, follow our social media and visit our website for the latest news: boprc.govt.nz/freshwater

Rain, rain… hasn’t gone away!

It’s been an unexpectedly wet and wild summer, which has meant a busier-than-usual season for our Flood Management team.

From monitoring river levels and rainfall from our Flood Room, to our Rivers and Drainage team responding to weather damage out in the field, there’s been lots to do to help support communities in a ected areas. Some of the key operational work we do includes:

•Checking the status of our flood infrastructure (such as stopbanks and floodgates) to make sure it is in good condition.

•Setting up pumps that can remove flood waters from a ected drainage canals and help remove ponded water from productive land.

•Removing weeds from drainage canals as this might cause a blockage and stop the pump from working.

•Assessing environmental damage in key areas (for example, checking for erosion), so we can support local agencies with their decision-making processes. The Bay of Plenty is prone to flooding and one of our core roles at Regional Council is to help minimise the risk this poses to people, property and livelihoods. You can find out more about how we help manage the risk on our website: boprc.govt.nz/flood-defences

It’s time to get your application in! #loveourlakes

The Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Programme works to protect and restore the lakes as a taonga for the future.

Got some snaps of your favourite swimming spot? Some photos of your tamariki enjoying the Rotorua Te Arawa lakes?

Perhaps you’ve taken a shot of the perfect sunrise over Lake Tarawera? Share your snapshots with us and be in to win. To enter the competition, tell us why you love our lakes and upload your photo at rotorualakes.co.nz

Entries close 12pm, 1 March, 2023. Terms and conditions apply.

Applications open for the School Sustainability and Resilience Fund on Monday.

If you’d like to learn more about the fund, we’re holding an online information session next Tuesday 21 February at 3.30pm. If you’d like to attend, please register at SSRFund@boprc.govt.nz so that a ZOOM link can be sent to you.

You can find out more about the Fund on our website at boprc.govt.nz/sustainability-resilience-fund