Tuesday, 16 January 2024 10:25

Clocking-up debt

Written by  The Hound

OPINION: It never ceases to amaze your old mate how local councils can spend ratepayers’ money at an alarming rate, with little or no accountability.

The latest example of this is the Waipā District Council, in the Waikato, which has taken cost overruns to a new level with the refurbishment of the town clock in Cambridge.

Originally budgeted at $450,000, this project has now blown out to an astounding cost of $721,000!

According to Taxpayers’ Union, “It would take several ratepayer lifetimes, about 225 years, to cover the cost of this towering mistake… and leaves …a fiscal legacy that outlasts the very clock they’re attempting to preserve.”

This massive ‘clock-up’ is not just a blow to the budget but will be a major blow to the trust ratepayers in the Waikato district have in their local council to manage their rates wisely.

More like this

Make it 1000%!

OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of 125% on the US, up from the 84% announced earlier.

Own goal

OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.

No more pines!

Forests planted for carbon credits are permanently locking up NZ’s landscapes, and could land us with more carbon costs, says the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE).

Group hug!

OPINION: Forest & Bird and farmers don't often find themselves on the same side of an issue, with F&G's litigious tendencies often pitting the two groups against each other.

Risky business

OPINION: In the same way that even a stopped clock is right twice a day, economists sometimes get it right.

Featured

National

Helping protect sheep from parasites

Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics have been recognised in this year’s…

Machinery & Products

Farmer-led group buys Novag

While the name and technology remain unchanged and new machines will continue to carry the Novag name, all the assets,…

Buhler name to go

Shareholders at a special meeting have approved a proposed deal that will see Buhler Industries, the publicly traded Versatile and…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Make it 1000%!

OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of…

Own goal

OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter