Approval ensures that all shareholders in the airport are now supportive of the extension.

“This is great news! This completes a lengthy process to begin the physical extension of the runway,” says Napier MP Chris Tremain.”Both Craig Foss and I, together with the Region’s Mayors, the Airport Board, and local Iwi, have put in a huge amount of work to ensure this result. A key benefit of the extension is the ability to facilitate increased competition.”

“This is a huge boost to our region’s development. This is a project that Chris and I have been working towards for over 4 years,” says Craig Foss. “The extension provides us with the key benefit of landing passenger jets thereby facilitating more charter flights for the likes of Rugby World Cup and Mission Concerts”.

The extension future proofs the airport and provides a stepping stone to for Hawke’s Bay’s growth alongside the development of the domestic air market with Australia as this grows.

“We’d like to congratulate all those who have collaborated on this project,” say both MPs. “A big thanks to John Palairet and the Airport Board. It really has been a regional effort and shows what can be achieved when all of us across the region put our minds to the same goal.”

The Minister for SOEs, Simon Power wishes Hawke’s Bay Airport all the best with their runway development.

Since first being elected in 2005 the extension of the airport runway has been a priority for us” says Craig Foss. “Both Chris and I have worked hard down in Parliament to ensure that central Government would not be a barrier to the Bays runway aspirations. Our goal is to ensure the extension would happen before the rugby World Cup”.

“An extended runway is important for Hawkes Bay” says Chris Tremain. We’re one of New Zealands most go-ahead areas and it’s about time this long standing issue got sorted out”.

Both MP’s believe that the extended runway will help to grow the local economy.  “It will be good for businesses, good for exporters, good for tourism, and good for jobs” say the MP’s.

“We congratulate the Board on the proactive steps being taken and are fully behind the project”.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce, who today turned the first sod to officially mark the start of construction, says the southern extension will bring significant safety and time savings to travellers.

”Work towards the Hawke’s Bay Expressway southern extension was not scheduled to start until next year, but the government recognised its importance and was able to bring the project forward as part of the government’s $500 million Jobs and Growth plan.

“This is the second major Hawke’s Bay roading project to benefit from the plan, with the Matahora Gorge realignment project between Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay starting earlier in the month.

”When construction is in full swing, the $12 million expressway project will employ about 30 people, with more involved in supplying materials and providing supporting services.”

The Matahora Gorge realignment is expected to employ a further 100 people.

”It is our expectation that the majority of suppliers and subcontractors for these projects will be regionally based, using regional workforces and material so local contractors and the community will benefit from the increase in work,” says Mr Joyce.

The Hawke’s Bay Expressway southern extension will run between Hastings City and Flaxmere, providing a direct link between the roundabouts at Longlands Road and York Road.

It will remove a bottleneck and crash blackspot, providing a safer, more direct route for highway traffic, freeing up local roads and providing a long-term, sustainable solution which will support future growth in the region.

Mr Foss said today “The is great news for Bridge Pa and Hastings. The Governments Capital Assistance programme will provide funding to enable drinking-water supplies to help provide safe drinking water”.

“The Government is committing funds – in the region of several hundreds of thousands of dollars-to the Bridge Pa proposal put forward by the Hastings District Council.”

“This is an exciting development for Bridge Pa residents: local MP Craig Foss said today. “ I am delighted that the Hastings District Council proposal for Bridge Pa has met the criteria.

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule says Bridge Pa residents will be relieved a solution has been found.

“For many summers Bridge Pa residents have adapted to the water shortages in their community and now after hard work by a number of agencies, and the efforts of local leaders such as Kevin Tamati, they will get a permanent clean and reliable water supply next year.

“We’ve just received confirmation from the Sports Council of the New Zealand Secondary Schools Association and we’re delighted,” says Allan Potts, Chair of Hastings Athletics. “The Nationals are the first major athletics event that will use the new grandstand. It’s going to be a great. We know the track is fast and I’m confident records will be broken,” he says.

Hosting rights for the Secondary Schools Champs follows earlier confirmation that the Primary School equivalent – the Colgate Games – will also be held at the Park, in February 2011.
The two events are expected to bring over 8000 athletes and supporters into Hawke’s Bay.

“One of the reasons we were concerned about legal delays in building the grandstand was because it placed these events in jeopardy,” says Sports Park Trust Chair Lawrence Yule. “However the grandstand will be built on time and these two events alone will bring about $3 million into the local economy. It just shows what facilities like this can bring to the Bay.”

” Imagine what a sporting and economic engine room we’re going to have if we get the green light for the Unison Velodrome,” he says.

SPARC is undertaking a review of major sporting facilities and Hawke’s Bay is one of several regions bidding to be the centre for an indoor velodrome. If the region receives SPARC’s endorsement, it stands a strong chance of attracting the necessary funding to make the velodrome a reality.
In August Unison announced a $1 million sponsorship package in support of Hawke’s Bay’s bid.

JOINT COUNCIL HERETAUNGA PLAINS URBAN DEVELOPMENT STUDY

Napier City Council, Hastings District Council and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council are working together on the Heretaunga Plains Urban Development Strategy (HPUDS) that will see a coordinated approach to urban development across the Heretaunga Plains.

Napier Mayor and HPUDS Governance Group Chair Barbara Arnott says “Over recent months the NCC, HDC and HBRC have been preparing for the growth strategy study and work has now formally commenced. It’s vital we have a coordinated approach to manage the plains resource and get community input on how we all want the region to look in future.”

The strategy will identify where growth will go from 2015 to 2045 and beyond, the desired density, what the sequence of development should be, the criteria for establishing the boundaries to urban growth and the infrastructure needed.

Work has already taken place on drawing together existing work done by the three Councils and what further research needs to be carried out.

Wasley Knell Ltd, regarded as national leaders in the development and implementation of growth strategies, have been engaged for process. They will lead the scenario development, evaluation, drafting of the strategy and consulting the public on the strategy.

Research on demographic and economic projections, market demand, transport and other infrastructure, the retirement sector, brownfields sites, mana whenua and climate change impacts on urban growth, has also commenced.

Feedback from various organisations stakeholders and the public will be fed into the development of scenarios. Once a plan is developed, in the first half of 2010, consultation with the wider community will be carried out.

For more information please visit www.hpuds.co.nz

Hawke’s Bay people could head to the polls for a second time to decide whether there should be one council to rule the region.

Napier City, Hastings District and Hawke’s Bay Regional councils could amalgamate if a plan put forward by Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule is approved by 2013.

Mr Yule presented his proposal to the media yesterday. He said he would contest the mayoralty one last time in 2010 and base his campaign squarely on amalgamating the councils.

“I will stand on the platform that we work towards a unitary council for Hawke’s Bay … if people don’t want it they won’t vote for me,” he said.

If he was voted in for a fourth term, he would make it his last for the Hastings council and focus his efforts on amalgamation. He would not say whether he would contest a place in a new Hawke’s Bay council, if it was approved.

In 1999 an attempt was made to bring Napier and Hastings together under one banner but Napier didn’t like the idea and voted 2 to 1 against amalgamation, while Hastings voted 2 to 1 in favour.

The new proposal, unlike the 1999 version, now included the regional council and more time would allow the community, councillors and council staff to consider the changes, Mr Yule said.

He hoped it would at least spark debate over the next 12 months and be a major issue at the 2010 council elections.

“I think Hawke’s Bay is at a point now where it is the right time for this change. There is enough goodwill around the region for us to have this debate and to find a better way to do things,” Mr Yule said.

“For the last three or four years, people have asked me about amalgamation, so I am taking a punt here that this is the right thing to do, if it’s not, it won’t happen.”

A referendum was planned for early 2012 where Hastings and Napier people must show more than 50 per cent support for the amalgamation to go forward.

It would then be put to the Local Government Commission, the organisation which has the final say on changes to councils.

Mr Yule said he had reviewed the Auckland Super City model, talked with Local Government Minister Rodney Hide as well as Napier and Tukituki MPs Chris Tremain and Craig Foss before drawing a plan for Hawke’s Bay.

He had also met with Napier Mayor Barbara Arnott and regional council chairman Alan Dick. Wairoa’s Mayor Les Probert and Central Hawke’s Bay Mayor Trish Giddens had also been informed.

“They were probably surprised a bit but were supportive … you’ll have to ask them yourself to find out what they think about it,” Mr Yule said.

The new Hawke’s Bay council would have 15 councillors, plus two community boards for each of Hastings and Napier. Boards for Taradale and Havelock North were also a possibility.

There would be one mayor, one chief executive and two “vice-mayors” who would head each of the Hastings and Napier community boards.

The community boards would ensure, Mr Yule said, public connection with the new council and a chance for everyone to have their say in the decisions it made.

“Keeping the identity of Hastings and Napier is important and under this proposal we have the best of both worlds,” he said.

Maori would also play a major role in the new council, recognising the significance of several Treaty of Waitangi claims which were due to be settled in the next three to five years.
Bringing the three councils together could mark a 5 per cent saving “in terms of efficiencies” but it would not mean dramatic staff changes, Mr Yule said.

“Most of the people that are employed will still have work to do, there may be changes in the executive team, only have one CEO, and changes to councillors but the work still needs to be done.”

Mrs Arnott said the decision on whether the councils amalgamated should be left to the ratepayers.

“If the people want it great but it should not be imposed,” she said.

Mrs Arnott said one council which included Wairoa and Central Hawke’s Bay might be more “palatable” to people than just a Napier and Hastings combination.

Amalgamation was an issue which had been on the cards for years and all the information, including any impacts on rates and service levels, would have to be presented to the public to help people make a decision.

“Napier people have to have their say about that. They need to understand and have all the information put in front of them. It’s got to be fair,” she said.

While Mrs Arnott indicated she would be happy to stand for another term as mayor of Napier, she could not confirm her commitments to 2013.

“It’s far too far in the future for me to contemplate what I’m doing then.”

Proposed structure:

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule’s suggestion for a new council:

* There will be: 1 mayor elected at large; 1 vice-mayor elected by Napier to lead a community board for that city; 1 vice-mayor for Hastings to lead a community board for that city; 2 Maori councillors or iwi representatives and 10 councillors elected by wards throughout the region.

* Napier will have a community board headed by its vice-mayor, to include 3 councillors from the unitary council and 4 elected from the city.

* Hastings will also have a community board headed by its vice-mayor, with 3 councillors from the unitary council and 5 councillors elected from the city.

* A community board could also be set up in Taradale, Flaxmere and Havelock North.

* The Central Hawke’s Bay (CHB) and Wairoa district councils would retain their structure but would be invited to join if they wish.

* The responsibilities of the regional council over Wairoa and CHB would be absorbed by the new Hawke’s Bay council.

Suggested timeline:

Proposed timeframe as to how Hawke’s Bay could move towards a single council:

* In October 2010, the Local Government Elections will be held.

* In 2011, development and consultation of the proposed new council will be held.

* Late 2011, review and hearings by Local Government Commission, which has the final say on any changes to councils around the country.

* Early 2012, referendum on an agreed structure for the new council.

* Mid 2012, transitional committee will be formed if the council structure is to change.

* October 2013, Local Government elections for the new council.

Article C/- H B Today – LAWRENCE GULLERY and KIM DE LEIJER | 15th August 2009

Details and costs of the work are still to be finalised but the approval gives Karamu the go-ahead to develop 22 new classrooms and several new classroom blocks.
  
“I am thrilled at these developments,” said Mr Foss. “Not only will we be providing students with a modern learning environment we will also be supporting the local economy through the creation of jobs throughout the length of the project. $7.6 million is a valuable injection into our local economy”
 
Principal Martin O’Grady says the school will be building modern, state of the art specialist and multi-purpose facilities to deliver teaching and learning in the 21st Century.
 
Principal O’Grady says “Extensive investigations into modernising or replacing some of the existing classrooms has been undertaken over the past six months, with the Ministry approving replacement as the most cost effective option with the least disruption to school activities.

“This is a significant step forward for Karamu,” he says.

Both MPs have been facilitating meetings between national and regional leaders to get to this point

“I am thrilled with this outcome,” said Mr Foss. “Corporatisation will give the board a much better platform from which to develop this key piece of regional infrastructure. It is a strong and positive move forward”

Mr Tremain is also very pleased stating that the pair had been campaigning for development of the Airport since first being elected. “We are looking forward to working with the new board to progress the development of the airport with the view of strengthening our regional economy. Once again it’s about Backing the Bay” says Mr Tremain

Dominion Post 9 June 2009

Twin bureaucracies could be costing Hawke’s Bay ratepayers millions of dollars a year because of political apathy toward fixing the problem, say two councillors.

Auckland’s move toward a single “super-city” has revived discussions in Hawke’s Bay about the potential for cost-savings through better co-operation between Napier City Council and Hastings District Council.

Napier and Hastings are 20 kilometres apart, and are both under the umbrella of Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, but operate largely independently of each other.

A referendum in 1999 that could have amalgamated the councils was supported by Hastings but rejected by Napier.

Napier councillor Bill Dalton and Hastings district councillor Wayne Bradshaw are steering clear of advocating political amalgamation, but say there is no reason the two cities could not share a streamlined administration system.

The pair, who both serve on the region’s jointly run landfill committee, say it is now time for a formal investigation by a joint working party into how the two councils can combine their contracting, purchasing, and governance systems to cut costs. “There’s been a lot of talk about councils working together, but nothing ever seems to happen”, Mr Dalton said yesterday .

“Up till now, it’s only been a big talk-fest. It needs to be formalised, with a timetable. Rates are becoming a big thing in people’s lives. They’re an enormous part of their budgets. If there are savings to be made, we should be doing it.”

Mr Dalton and Mr Bradshaw are asking their councils this week to set up the joint committee and a timetable to put its findings into effect.

“We could get a positive outcome, not just everybody feeling good because they’ve talked about it and gone back into their burrows,” Mr Dalton said.

Mr Bradshaw wants Hastings to “go as far down the track as possible to investigate and get some serious benefits”.

“This is like the start of a courtship. Who knows what will come out of it. Nothing is pre-determined, but if we don’t look we’ll never find,” he said.

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule and Napier Deputy Mayor Kathy Furlong say they do not believe there are huge savings to be found by merging the councils’ administration, but agree that a common district plan would be an advantage.

Mr Dalton said if Auckland’s reorganisation went well, Wellington would probably be next, then possibly Hawke’s Bay. Some closer co-operation now could make such a transition a lot easier.

RATING THE COSTS

NAPIER CITY COUNCIL

Ratepayers: 23,800

Total rates collected in 08-09: $46.2 million (including GST)

Council’s total income: $94.8m (excluding GST)

Operating expenditure: $78.2m

Total staff: 411 fulltime equivalents

HASTINGS DISTRICT COUNCIL

Number of ratepayers: 29,009

Total rates collected in 08-09: $58.6m (incl GST)

Council’s total income: $93.5m (excl GST)

Operating expenditure: $81.4m

Total staff: 364 fulltime equivalents