New Zealand councils should follow water, not topography

New Zealand council boundaries cut through water catchments, splitting natural systems and communities.

Why it mattersLinking council boundaries with water systems could improve water management and land care. Right now these jobs are spread across different councils. Organising by catchment would bring them together.

AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet. However, catchment-based governance models are also used in Australian water management, so the outcome could influence thinking here.

✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 3 d ago

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✓ The Canberra TimesPower & Policy

460 Canberra streetlight faults left unfixed for over 90 days

460 streetlights in the ACT have sat broken for at least three months; four have been unfixed since 2022.

Why it mattersBroken streetlights directly affect safety and property security for Canberra residents, and suggest city maintenance is falling behind.