The roundabout at the intersection of Sloane, Arawata and Alexandra streets.
Te Awamutu and Kihikihi Community Board members are planning a community clean-up day early next year following concerns it raised with Waipā District Council about the state of Te Awamutu’s town centre.
Chair Ange Holt first raised concerns in June, saying pedestrian crossings, median strips and some of the roundabouts were covered in moss and weeds.
Last month, board member Jill Taylor also raised concerns about a weed-infested State Highway 3 roundabout, near Hamilton Airport, which falls under New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi jurisdiction.
Ahead of the board’s meeting yesterday (Wednesday), held after The News went to press, members sought a “please explain” from the council regarding current levels of street cleaning.
The request comes as deputy chair Kane Titchener told The News on Monday he had the idea for a community clean-up day as another way of bringing the community together.
Kane Titchener
Titchener asked the board to approve $1000 from its uncommitted discretionary funds to pay for the day’s anticipated associated costs.
He hopes to have the community day in March.
“I had seen days like the one we are planning held in other centres,” Titchener said.
“And more than just picking up rubbish, the day will also serve as another point of connection between the board and our community.”
Council transportation manager Bryan Hudson responded to the board’s latest queries regarding council’s contracted levels of service for street cleaning saying brushing and vacuuming of kerbs and urban streets, the CBD and public carparks, as well as clearing of storm water grates, leaf fall sweeping and a wide range of other tasks were all paid for on a monthly basis, dependent on a certain level of service.
CBD Street Cleaning Services has been contracted by council since 2021 to carry out the work, Hudson said, and additional services could be completed on instruction from council staff, provided budget was available.
