Articles tagged with Simon Watts
Hamilton & Waikato Councils Unveil Groundbreaking Multi-Council Water Services Plan
5 days ago | 128 viewsHamilton City and Waikato District Councils have collaborated on the first multi council water services delivery plan, aiming to benefit ratepayers by providing safe, reliable, and affordable drinking and wastewater services while keeping rate increases down. This joint effort, known as Local Water Done Well, ensures ongoing financial sustainability for 280,000 residents served by the combined organization, supporting infrastructure investment for growth and improved service quality over the next decade. Local Government Minister Simon Watts commends the councils for their proactive approach and encourages other councils to consider similar collaborative models to enhance community services.
Tags: Hamilton City Waikato District Councils water services Local Government Minister Simon Watts collaboration infrastructure ratepayers investment councilsTransforming New Zealand's Planning System for Economic Growth: A Ministerial Address
2 weeks ago | 293 viewsThe speaker acknowledges the challenges faced by local government in New Zealand, particularly concerning restrictive planning rules, infrastructure funding, and coordination issues with central government. The focus is on the need for reform in the housing market and resource management, with a three-pillar approach to housing growth and significant changes planned for the replacement of the Resource Management Act. The government aims to simplify planning processes, reduce costs, and foster a culture of saying 'yes' to enable economic growth and development while safeguarding the environment.
Tags: Christchurch Sam Susan Simon Watts Local Government Housing Transport Infrastructure RMA Reform New ZealandersKiwi Electricity Bill Savings Boosted by New Energy Market Changes
2 weeks ago | 204 viewsThe Electricity Authority announced changes aimed at reducing electricity bills for Kiwi households and businesses, with a focus on fair pricing for rooftop solar and battery exports and introducing time of use plans. The government is also working on a review of the electricity sector to ensure fair prices and address energy shortages. These changes are expected to incentivize uptake of solar and battery systems, reduce power prices over the long term, and enable small-scale systems to meet peak demand.
Tags: Kiwi households businesses electricity bills Energy Minister Simon Watts Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones solar electricity generation power bills electricity sector electricity marketGovernment Bill Enhances Focus on Core Council Services for Better Value
2 weeks ago | 101 viewsThe Local Government (System Improvements) Amendment Bill aims to refocus councils on core services like roading, infrastructure, water, and waste, addressing public frustration over rising rates and declining services. Minister Simon Watts emphasizes the need for discipline, transparency, and performance improvement to benefit ratepayers. The Bill includes reforms such as prioritizing core services in managing finances, introducing new financial performance measures, and enhancing transparency and accountability, with the goal of delivering better value for money and avoiding new taxes for local authorities.
Tags: Government councils core services infrastructure rates transparency accountability financial focus local government Simon WattsSelwyn District Leads the Way in Water Services Reform with Launch of Selwyn Water
3 weeks ago | 249 viewsSelwyn District is the first council in the country to launch its new water services entity, Selwyn Water, meaning safe, reliable, and affordable drinking water and wastewater for ratepayers, Local Government Minister Simon Watts says. “The launch of Selwyn District’s water service entity today marks a significant milestone of water reform, and I look forward to seeing similar Local Water Done Well plans progress in the coming months,” Mr Watts says. “Selwyn District Council is also the first council to have a Water Services Delivery Plan accepted and approved by the Secretary for Local Government, Paul James and the first to establish a water services council-controlled organisation (CCO) under the Coalition Government’s Local Water Done Well policy.
Tags: Selwyn District Simon Watts Local Government Minister Paul James Selwyn Water Water Services Delivery Plan Commerce Commission Department of Internal Affairs Sam Broughton Local Water Done WellNew Zealand Government Launches City and Regional Deals to Drive Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development
4 weeks ago | 449 viewsThe Government has laid out its expectations for City and Regional Deals (CRDs) as long-term partnerships that will increase economic growth, create jobs, and boost productivity for New Zealanders, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Local Government Minister Simon Watts say. The Government has also signed the first Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) to negotiate deals with Auckland, Otago/Central Lakes and Western Bay of Plenty. “City and Regional Deals will be strategic 10-year partnerships between local and central government to progress joint priorities including economic growth, enabling abundant housing, better management and utilisation of local assets, and closing the infrastructure deficit,” Mr Bishop says.
Tags: Government City and Regional Deals Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop Local Government Minister Simon Watts New ZealandersBoosting Regional Energy Security: $28.1 Million Loans for Solar Projects in New Zealand
1 month ago | 506 viewsThree solar projects in regional New Zealand will receive loans of up to $28. 1 million combined from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to ensure security of local energy supply and community resilience, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Energy Minister Simon Watts say. “The loans for these projects in Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay and Rakiura/Stewart Island will allow them to get under way this year, helping them to improve economic prosperity and resilience.
Tags: Bay of plenty Central hawke ’ s bay Centralines ltd Coalition government Hawke ’ s bay New zealand Of plenty Ongaonga Rakiura Regional development Regional infrastructure fund Shane jones Simon watts Southland district council Stewart island Te huata charitable trust