BUDGET DEBATE

The Western Leader is hosting a live chat with councillors Penny Hulse and Ross Clow on

Auckland Council’s 10-year budget. The proposed budget included targeted rates for fighting kauri dieback and cleaning up the beaches. If you have questions for the councillors please send them to edwl@snl.co.nz. Residents can also go to akhaveyoursay.nz to have their say. The live chat will be screened on the Western Leader Facebook page on Wednesday, March 7 at 6pm.

FIREWORKS BAN

The public will be asked what they think about banning the sale of fireworks, councillor Linda Cooper says. The Waita¯kere Ward councillor put forward an amendment to require consultation in August on the ban when the council voted on February 22 to lobby the Government for it. ‘‘I think it’s important for the community to have a say either for or against our proposal,’’ Cooper said. ‘‘We can’t assume everyone agrees with council’s view.’’

INJURY STRIKES SWIMMER

A knee injury has forced Gabrielle Fa’amausili to withdraw from competing in the women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. The former West Auckland resident will undergo surgery next month at the completion of the US collegiate season on her left knee to repair her meniscus and reconstruct her torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Fa’amausili said it was a tough decision to make, however she didn’t feel she could represent the country to the best of her ability. She is currently studying in the United States.

MEASLES ALERT

Passengers who flew on a Singapore Airlines flight from Singapore to Auckland last week might have been exposed to measles. The Auckland Regional Public Health Service said travellers who arrived at Auckland International Airport on flight SQ285 on Thursday, February 22, should watch out for symptoms. Medical Officer of Health Michael Hale said passengers in rows 31 to 49 were at the highest risk.