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TaupÅ District Council s plan to snip off a chunk of Lake Terrace to create more green space and reduce through traffic along Roberts St has some businesses asking about parking.
A major revamp of Taupō’s main drag that would see cars banished from it’s prime lakeside is prompting angst amongs some business owners and predictions of doom for profits. The section where Tongariro Street morphs into Lake Terrace has unobstructed views down the lake to the mountains of Tongariro National Park – a natural asset the Taupō District’s Council’s town centre transformation (TTCT) wants to capitalise on by increasing pedestrian access to the lakefront and Tongariro Domain.
Source: New Zealand Government
Major water reform has taken a step closer with the appointment of the inaugural board of the Taumata Arowai water services regulator, Hon Nanaia Mahuta says.
Former Director General of Health and respected public health specialist Dame Karen Poutasi will chair the inaugural board of Crown agency Taumata Arowai.
“Dame Karen brings considerable experience in governance and management as Director General of Health and Chief Executive of NZQA, as well as her crucial experience as a member of the Havelock North Drinking Water Inquiry panel,” Nanaia Mahuta said.
“This tragic water contamination incident was a major driver for legislation, including the establishment of an independent regulator, to assure safer drinking water and more efficient wastewater and stormwater networks for New Zealanders.”
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Contact Energy’s plan to develop a geothermal power station at the base of Mount Tauhara could see 500 jobs added to Taupō out of the $580 million development.
While the Taupō District economy has largely weathered Covid-19’s decimation of the international visitor market, observers are again warning the town of uncertainty ahead as the quieter ‘shoulder season’ for domestic tourism approaches. But the potential boost of Contact Energy’s announcement that it was committed to building the Tauhara 2 power station, could be a game changer, Taupō District Council chief executive officer Gareth Green, told councillors in his report for January 2021 on Tuesday .
Iwi’s commercial arm finds replacements for Sir Rob Fenwick and Rob Hutchison.
After an extensive search, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei has found replacements for two high-profile members from the iwi’s commercial arm, Whai Rawa, who were both lost to cancer in 2020.
Property development and construction veteran Chris Gudgeon, the former chief executive of Kiwi Property Group and Capital Properties NZ and a current director of Crown Infrastructure Partners and Argosy Property, takes one position. Gudgeon was also president of the Property Council New Zealand for a time.
Jim Quinn, inaugural CEO of KiwiRail, chief of strategy at Auckland Council, and CEO of Express Couriers and current chair of Payments New Zealand, ComplyPro and SmartCo,
The Government funds have allowed the council to open up Peacocke in Hamilton’s south and has seen it start delivering a big chunk of infrastructure all at once – including work on a new river bridge. Peacocke is earmarked to soak up a lot of the city’s growth with an estimated 20,000-plus residents expected to call the area home by 2048. More than 9000 people are expected to be living in Peacocke within the next decade. However, like many high-growth cities, Hamilton has seen its debt levels increase in recent years as it funds new infrastructure. In March, the council will open up public submissions on its long-term plan, with staff seeking what amounts to a total 8.9 per cent increase on residents’ rates bill.