Written by Claire Taylor
A survey of 250 tradespeople found 56% want council fees and slow consenting tackled, as costs and delays are squeezing small builders.
Residents will be consulted before councillors decide whether selling the 4.96% stake could boost returns and trim debt costs.
Cleaner and faster emergency callouts are expected once the nearly finished NZD $3.5 million Twizel station overhaul opens.
Residents fear a third mast in Twizel's town centre could go up without consultation, as the council urges Connexa to talk to the community.
Fears over housing pressure have prompted the Mackenzie District Council to inspect 655 short-term accommodation properties for rule breaches.
Construction activity has slumped to its lowest level since 2015, prompting calls for faster consents and fairer liability rules.
Residents fear fast-tracked solar farms could reshape the Mackenzie District without local say, prompting calls for pushback and compensation.
