Council has formally commenced the new Waiari Water Supply project last Friday with the inaugural meeting of the project steering group. For me its déjà vu going back to 1995-96 and the Joyce Road Microfiltration project.

Back then there was major uproar as the media-fuelled controversy aided by a well planned and funded action group.
Amongst the nonsense and untruths promoted by them then was that Council intended to privatise and sell the water supply system.
In fact the reverse was true and in particular I staunchly resisted at Council and more importantly, nationally any move to introduce taxation, profits, directors' fees and private shareholders into water supply.
Have a look around and tell me Auckland is better off with its privatised water and how we are better off with privatised electricity supply – a similar monopoly situation. Water was and is a primary basic council function that should remain a supply at cost of service.
There were a number of unfortunate political casualties over the debacle at that time thanks to the media nonsense and hype over the Joyce Road water processing plant. But as we now know, elected members chose the correct options so it was with a mixture of mild amusement and contempt that I noted that no media turned up to either the field trip to the Waiari Stream or the inaugural meeting afterward. And it will be an up to $100 million microfiltration and reticulation project so it's hardly non-newsworthy.

Alongside the $100 million plus Southern Pipeline its one of the major reasons why Council is pulling in its spending horns. Like the front page story in Saturday's paper calling for a 'bold new waterfront concept” where the Mainstreet Chairman is quoted demonstrating a total lack of awareness of Council's current and future financial commitments.
This Council is in fact being particularly financially responsible, unlike some in the past, and treading carefully through the minefield that balances the city's welfare and progress with its ratepayer's ability and desire to pay for it all.
The Waiari water scheme will supply water to the future growth of the coastal strip at the Mount, freeing up the Joyce Road plant for Tauranga's increasing water demand.
It will be funded through development contributions – growth paying for growth, but it does impact significantly on the $400 million debt envelope limit that credit rating agency Standard and Poors has said is our ceiling debt limit.
The local paper is continuing to report on some council meetings from the agenda and not attending in person.
Of course by doing this its second hand news but then you wouldn't know about it if it weren't for The Weekend Sun.

Rick's recording
At Full Council Rick Curach sought and received permission to electronically record the meeting. He has this bee in his bonnet that you are all eagerly waiting to tune into the next exciting episode. Yeah right – as Greg Brownless said you will all be torn between listening to Council or Government debate.
Rick's plan is to put it on the internet. I don't mind one way or other but my prediction is that it will come back to bite Rick and others on the bum.
Council meetings used to be recorded on the old reel to reel tapes and occasionally excerpts would be taken out of context by members of the public and used publicly. Not nice!
We had a look at a stepped water tariff where those who use more water would pay more. The intention was to suppress demand in peak times thereby delaying major capital expenditure in infrastructure (like the Waiari). The further out we can push expenditure the better when you consider Council's forward expenditure programme.
Mayor Stuart Crosby did outline the possibility that this would inevitably cost more which might be true but we can't do it all at once anyway.
After a lengthy and interesting debate it got kicked for touch. It's interesting how $1.35 is too much for 1000 litres if it comes from your tap, (micro filtered at that) yet a lot of people cheerfully pay up $2 for a 500ml bottle.
The peak summer usage is over about 20 days and is largely brought about by gardens, pools, car and boat washing and similar use. We know this because wastewater volumes don't alter markedly summer to winter.

User fees review
The user fees review is bubbling away. We received around 1000 responses to the informal survey circulated by staff. Rick Curach thought that a 10% reduction each year in the Art Gallery grant over the next five years would soon bring them around to the reality of an admission fee. Even the elders' forum suggested an admission fee to the Art Gallery – a very responsible attitude from a group, some who would probably be affected more than any other age group.

Animal costs
David Stewart was concerned that a proposed 20% ratepayer contribution to animal services has not been well promoted and had been misinterpreted by some who responded. I think he might be right.
Unregistered dogs which create a lot of work are not the sole responsibility of those who pay dog registration fees. And other livestock like wandering cattle, horses and sheep.
Provided dog registration covers all its costs it's not unreasonable, is it, for the rest of us to chip in to cover those other costs?

Rules for some
How about all those election signs defacing our lovely city? Don't do as we do – do as we say – as once again Central Government rides roughshod over Local Government. At Council elections, candidates are severely restricted at where they can put signs. None at Brookfield intersection for safety reasons. Have a look at this lot and make up your own mind. Our local ordnances do not apply at the general election.
Safety? Go figure!