FROM THE NEWS DESK

Matamata-Piako District Council releases its draft 10-year plan this week and it’s a good chance for people in Morrinsville and Te Aroha to have their say on how the council plans to spend ratepayers’ money and organise its budget over the next decade. The council has provided more details on pages 8 and 9 this week. Some of the major topics included roading projects through the district. The council plans to focus on a by-pass road in Matamata, while holding any plans for a similar by-pass in Morrinsville. The state of the district’s roads, especially those under the portfolio of New Zealand Transport Agency, have been the cause of much debate in recent weeks. Reporter Katrina Tanirau looks at some of the issues in her story on page 3. It appears the Government is writing a new plan to manage our state highways and nothing much is being said until that plan is finished and released to the public later this year. Some support roads as a driver for economic development while others are in favour of rail. What would you like to see?

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