Page 18 - Central Interceptor News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Photo: RNZ / Claire Eastham-Farrelly Watercare's board has approved recommendations in an agenda report to increase water rates by 7 percent - about $1.50 per week or $78 per annum - on 1 July this year and then again in 2022. Water rates would then increase by 9.5 percent each year between 2023 and 2029, then by 3.5 percent in 2030 and 2031. This meant waterbills for the average household would more than double during the decade, from $1069 this year to $2261 in 2031. This increase would also add to the extra $100 the average Auckland household would pay if the Auckland Council's proposed 5 ...

The COVID-19 pandemic and the Auckland region's drought were the two main factors taken into account in the recommendations. The pandemic has punched a $1b hole in the council's revenue, while Watercare splashed out $209m in additional water sources and treatment. In addition to higher rates, the recommendations also included increases in infrastructure growth charges - the fee for connecting a new dwelling or property to the water network - of 12 percent from 1 July this year followed by an 8 percent rise annually from then. The plan, approved by the board at a meeting on 23 December last ye...

Auckland mayor Phil Goff says Watercare decision to double water bills in a decade too drastic from some families 7 Jan, 2021 11:33 PM 7 minutes to read Home and hosed: Auckland water rules relaxed just in time for summer. Video / Will Trafford Social issues reporter, NZ Heraldmichael.neilson@nzherald.co.nz Auckland mayor Phil Goff says Watercare should have gradually increased water prices rather than the drastic changes that could see the average household paying $1200 a year more in less than a decade. The Watercare board has approved price increases over the next 10 years that will see th...

Auckland household Watercare water bills could double in less than a decade 7 Jan, 2021 04:00 PM 6 minutes to read Social issues reporter, NZ Heraldmichael.neilson@nzherald.co.nz Auckland household water bills could more than double in less than a decade after Watercare approved increases to tackle rising costs and settle its books. Watercare says it is the only way to raise funds needed due to borrowing limits, but an Auckland councillor has slammed the agency saying "years of underinvestment" have finally caught up, hitting ratepayers already suffering due to Covid-19 impacts hard. The prop...

Thursday, 24 December 2020, 2:40 pm Two fossil specimens of one of New Zealand’s most iconic invertebrates, the flax snail/pupuharakeke have been discovered in shell sand recently excavated from shafts at Watercare’s Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant. The flax snail ( Placostylus) is one of New Zealand’s two largest land snails with specimens 7-10 cm long. The three living species have threatened status with populations now restricted to the Three Kings Islands, North Cape area, and in small pockets on islands and along the east coast of Northland. “Up until now the oldest known fo...