What’s being generated from Wellington?

Update to Waikato SPN

29 November 2013

Lots!

Our challenge is to keep up….

LGA Amendment Bill

• Overall, the Bill largely changes how council’s conduct their business, not what is their business

• Strong focus on effective asset management planning and assessment of benefits and costs of options

• Substantial changes to Development Contributions

• Substantial changes to consultation requirements

• The Bill introduces ability to have Local Boards in unitary authorities

Submission timeframes still not clear

Fiscal benchmarks

• Seven benchmarks and two indicators

• Affordability, sustainability, predictability

• Reported in 2013/14 Annual Reports

• Initial rates and debt affordability benchmarks =

compliance with each council’s financial strategy

• Overtime Government may choose more absolute

benchmarks

• The 2 affordability indicators are measuring rates and

debt per rating unit (not population)

Burial and cremation legislation

• Issues paper released by Law Commission

• Submissions close 20 December 2013

• The provision of cemeteries and crematoria

• Regulation of the funeral sector

• Decision-making about death and burial

Freshwater Reforms

• Discussion document released

• Amend National Policy Statement for Freshwater

Management• Account for all water takes and sources of contaminants to

inform decisions on objectives and limits

• Introduces National Objectives Framework

• Provides choice of national values with attributes to be

managed

• Sets process for exceptions to bottom lines

• Submissions close 4 February 2014

LG Reorganisation

Themes…

• Unitary authorities

• Bigger is better

• Community Boards

• Māori Board

LG Reorganisation

Northland Council

• Proposal replaces -

Far North District Council

Whangarei District Council

Kaipara District Council

Northland Regional Council

• Submissions close

14 February 2014

LG Reoganisation

Hawke’s Bay Council

• Proposal replaces -

Wairoa District Council

Napier City Council

Hastings District Council

Central Hawke’s Bay District Council

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council

small area of Rangitikei District.

• Submissions close

7 March 2014

Fluoridation

• South Taranaki District Council Judicial Review on decision to fluoridate

Patea and Waverley’s water supply following consultation in 2012

• Health New Zealand claim decision unlawful

• Adding fluoride – therapeutic purposes

• Breached S11 NZ Bill of Rights Act

• Scientific understanding of how fluoride works changed

• STDC claim

• fluoride isn’t medial treatment – health professional not giving to

patient

• Legal under LGA and Health Acts

• Decision will set precedent for all councils

Case Law

Karaka Point Environs and Marlborough District Council

• Focuses on 2012 LTP consultation

• Inadequate articulation of the basis for Council’s decision, and not providing appropriate opportunity for the community to respond.

• A good reminder as we head into the next LTP round…

Other goings on from the Capital…

• Freedom Camping model bylaw (LGNZ)

• Earthquake Prone Buildings

Key drivers for change

• WRC discussion document – with agenda papers

• Environmental scan for strategic planning

• Resource constraints

• Economic trends

• Pace of technology change

• Changing values, perceptions and ideas

• Demographic changes

• Iwi Maori influence

• Increasing regional risks

• Pressure for local government change

• Feedback session at February SPN meeting