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Infrastructure
‘Huge call’ on water services when so many questions remain
Rural residents concerned about the future of their water, sewerage and stormwater infrastructure should gear up to have their say, Federated Farmers President Andrew Hoggard says. “Federated Farmers, a majority of local authorities and many New Zealanders have voiced serious misgivings over the government’s plans for council three waters assets to be transferred to four […]
Feds to work with Taumata Arowai as water supply exemption refused
With the Water Services Bill passing its third reading on September 28 without an exemption for small suppliers, Federated Farmers is now focusing on the Minister’s undertakings around making the processes simple, cost-effective and practical. “Federated Farmers is deeply disappointed that the strong case for a carve-out from the new regulations for those supplying water […]
Transporting NZ unimpressed with emergency powers, ACC fees change
by Nick Leggett, CEO Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand OPINION: Transporting New Zealand’s work this past week has focused on the Government giving itself emergency powers until just before the 2023 election, ACC fees appearing to not back the Government’s Road to Zero road safety strategy, and minor tinkering with the driver licensing system […]
Feds President’s letter on the Water Services Bill
Last Thursday the Water Services Bill went through its Committee Stage. The Third Reading is likely to happen this week. The National Party’s supplementary order paper, calling for those who supply 30 connections or fewer to be exempted, was defeated. (Federated Farmers had suggested an exemption for supplies to 50 people or fewer.) Local Government […]
Dedicated rural representation – A must-have for Gisborne
In November 2020 the Gisborne District Council voted in favour of including Māori wards, this, in turn, prompted a representation review. The review began in May this year with the council engaging with us on what fair representation looks like by conducting a pre-engagement survey, this resulted in the Council producing an initial proposal for […]
Water tank manufacturers flooded with demand
By Matthew Boyle Across the country water tank manufacturers are seeing a noticeable increase in demand for water tanks, and are urging those wanting to order one to do it now. This increase in demand coincides with concern Federated Farmers has with the Water Services Bill, which recently went back to Parliament for its second […]
RTF welcomes CoF and licence extensions
The Road Transport Forum (RTF) welcomes Transport Minister Michael Wood’s announcement today that driver licences, Warrants of Fitness (WoFs), Certificates of Fitness (CoFs), vehicle licences and licence endorsements that expired on or after 21 July 2021 will be valid until 30 November 2021, says chief executive Nick Leggett. “In our heavily regulated industry, paperwork matters,” […]
Boosting local road funding heads in the right direction, Feds says
News that the government has shifted funding for local road maintenance back up a gear is heartening for rural families dismayed by potholed access and dilapidated bridges, Federated Farmers says. “What we need now is for district councils all over New Zealand to dedicate a significant portion of this increased funding to dealing with the […]
Feds: We need to step up water resilience resourcing and leadership
News that development work on the Wakamoekau Community Water Storage Scheme has been halted should be deeply troubling to every resident of Wairarapa, the region’s Federated Farmers President David Hayes says. “Water storage is critical to the future of our towns and rural hinterland, to employment, production and the health of our rivers and wider […]