Viewpoint – Water and waste

The extended lockdown has created issues for a lot of people, communities and businesses, and it definitely now feels like it is time to move on! There are a couple of issues that I would like to address: Three Waters and Council rubbish removal.  

Three Waters appears to be an opportunity for the Government to grab an asset that can be given to Maori as a continuation of what is proving to be the endless Treaty of Waitangi settlement process. That we should have a reliable supply of potable water is a given, but responsibility and governance of that supply should be locally driven. New Zealand is geographically incredibly diverse. To have one organisation responsible and overseeing this will undoubtedly be expensive and less efficient. And then there is the extremely questionable proposed management structure. While I remain open to the discussion, there is much to be concerned about.  

Rubbish. The report Council had prepared indicates that Pay as you Throw (PAYT) is not as attractive an option, as some of the other options, is clearly flawed by council bureaucratic BS. I am certain that an argument can be made that promotes a council-controlled and funded system, but to believe that a system that does not have a mechanism (charge) to encourage  people to produce less waste is wrong. I strongly believe that a PAYT system, similar to what we have now, is working in Rodney.

Warkworth continues to grow at a pace and is going to grow gangbusters for the foreseeable future. Development on a scale we have not seen before is just around the corner. Rodney is a huge district and the issues we have in Kumeu are different to the issues in Warkworth, and Wellsford is different again. And then there is the new development at Milldale, which is also part of Rodney. The point is that the job of the Rodney Councillor or Local Board Member is not as straightforward as most might think. I would like to thank Greg Sayers – our Councillor for the work he does.  

The projects of the Local Board are progressing well. Despite the fundamental issues caused by lockdown, business is continuing to be done. Zoom and other electronic meeting formats are not the easiest. But, despite what some might have you think,  Rodney continues to function well.  

The new motorway and Matakana link road will make a huge impact on traffic and travel in and around Warkworth and the north. It really is disappointing that this is going to be another summer of frustration at Hill Street. That said, I hope you are looking forward to a fantastic active summer. I am looking forward to spending time in and on the water. The fishing is hotting up right now, and I hope to explore our gorgeous parks and reserves on foot and by bike. I look forward to seeing you out there doing it, or at an event or meeting in 2022.