LIFESTYLER
April 14 2015
Kaipara
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Businessman fights for rescue funding by Ayla Miller
A Kaipara businessman is urging Northland residents to make submissions against a proposed funding review he says threatens the work of the Northland rescue helicopter service.
Turning point for tavern
After seven years of ownership, Gillian Houser is farewelling her business …
P3
New signs for carp
Koi carp will be receiving a little more attention with the Department of Conservation distributing a new set of sign boards …
P5
Store celebrates 10 years
Well established local store B’Arch Wear is celebrating 10 successful years in business …
P9
Part of the Northland Regional Council’s Long Term Plan 2015–2025 affects the Northland Emergency Services Trust funds which could see the regions air ambulance lose a large part of its current allocation. The council plan consists of reassessing funding for the service, proposing a new system which would allow all emergency services to apply on a contestable basis. With only days to go before submissions to the plan close, on April 24, NEST ambassador and managing director of Kaipara Kumara, Anthony Blundell, has written an open letter as a concerned Northland citizen. He encourages ‘his peers’ to make submissions to contest this proposition. “On the surface the contestable fund proposal sounds like a good idea. However, NEST’s position is to retain the current level of funding at $600,000 — which equates to approximately 12% of its total annual income. “The non-contestable funding provides the certainty that NEST needs in operational strategic planning and can continue to provide an essential service to the people of Northland.” NEST trust chair Paul Ahlers believes the new scheme would make planning difficult due to the uncertainty of funding. “We will effectively be competing with other organisations for a slice of the pie and we are concerned this will lead to an inevitable reduction in funding for NEST. Any future funding would be at the sole discretion of council and not ratepayers.
p The Northland rescue chopper provides a vital lifeline in the Kaipara
“The funding we receive from government agencies does not cover all of our operating costs — we rely heavily on local sponsorship and community donations. “The guaranteed support we’ve received in the past has allowed the trust to operate with some confidence in our ability to cover costs. “We support a continuation of the existing guaranteed rating structure. It allows the trust to concentrate on running an air ambulance service instead of having to constantly worry about fundraising.” Submissions on the draft LTP document must be made before 3pm April 24. ¢
p Anthony Blundell wants the Northland Regional Council to continue the current funding strategy for the air ambulance service
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