Storm levy for Horowhenua

A storm recovery rate of $8 a property will contribute to an 11.2 per cent increase in Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council rates in Horowhenua this year.

Overall, the regional council will raise $1.8 million from Horowhenua this year - up from the $1.6 million it took last year.

The storm recovery rate would contribute to restoring river and drainage schemes damaged in February floods. Kimberley promise Health Ministry officials have promised families of Kimberley centre residents the institution would be closed by June 2006 - and blamed the Government for delays.

The previous date for closure of the institution was March 2005.

But MidCentral Health then blamed the ministry for its problems.

Ministry disability services planning and development manager Rod Watts said the ministry had to abide by Government policy. Many of the delays experienced in the past were due to processes the ministry had to go through.