News in brief

Wednesday it is

Waipā councillors rubber stamped a staff recommendation around meeting days at a council meeting last week – put to them and verbally approved in a workshop last year. The public was aware of their decision before they voted – revised days for Wednesday meetings appeared in adverts in Good Local Media a week earlier.

Cones will go

Traffic queues at traffic lights entering Ōhaupō from the north.

The New Zealand Transport Agency is hoping to remove as much traffic management as possible through Ōhaupō’s road rebuild over the next few days for today and the weekend.

The decision will ease traffic flow between the Waipā district and King Country.

Waikato system manager Andy Oakley told The News the team working on the seven-week road rebuild were making good progress.

“They’re currently excavating the southbound lane, to the north of the pedestrian crossing, and this section should be complete by Waitangi Day, weather permitting,” Oakley said.

“The intention is to remove as much traffic management as possible for the weekend, then fully re-establish the site on Monday (February 10), to complete the north bound lane over the remaining two weeks of the project.” The rebuild started on January 7.

Cycling festival

Cambridge Cycling Festival

Cambridge’s Cycling Festival will revert to Anzac Day afternoon following what organisers say was “serious community consultation (and a lot of thinking)”. The popular event made its debut nine years ago and a move to March 23 was mooted for this year, but retailers became concerned that two significant street closures – for the earlier Maadi Cup parade and the cycling – would impact trade.

Orcas sighted

Orca pod sightings in Raglan and Kawhia harbours have prompted DOC staff to remind people about the rules for interactions with marine mammals after reports a boat chased the pod. Vessels should stay 50 metres from orca.  A family pod of five orca has been in the harbours for two weeks.

Tutty steps up

Karl Tutty

Waipā District Council’s compliance manager Karl Tutty has been appointed Civil Defence Local Controller by the Waikato Civil Defence Emergency Management. Tutty is also deputy chief of the Te Awamutu Volunteer Fire Brigade.

Singing the blues

The Slims blues band have started the new year how they mean to go on, practising under Cambridge’s historic rotunda in Thornton Rd on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Two visitors from Raglan on a Triumph motor-bike came for the entertainment provided by from left Jono Knapp, Mark Taylor, Paul Taranaki on the drums, Ken Emery, and in the background, harmonica player Beaudene Bate. Photo: Mary Anne Gill

From left Jono Knapp, Mark Taylor, singer Maree Wilson, Ken Emery, harmonica player Beaudene Bate and in the background, Paul Taranaki on the drums. Photo: Mary Anne Gill

What it cost

Less than two hours into the three-hour event, the public had mostly left. Photo: Mary Anne Gill

Good Local Media readers should know soon how much it cost Waipa District Council to host the Party in the Park in Cambridge on December 13 last year. The request for costs was lodged as a Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act request on January 9 giving the council until this Friday – 20 working days – to respond.

Another council-organised event

Bridleways Estate playground

Waipā’s newest destination playground at Cambridge’s Papatakohe Park will open with a celebration event on Saturday, February 15. Children can explore the new playground and enjoy a free sausage sizzle put on by – contractors Camex Civil, a scavenger hunt and colouring activities. The highlight will be a free throw competition on the full-sized basketball court, with great prizes to win. Built by developers 3MS in collaboration with Waipā District Council, the new park is located in the Bridleway Estate subdivision, part of one of Cambridge’s growth areas. This development includes residential housing, a retirement village, supporting infrastructure, and future commercial spaces.

A school next to the playground is not going ahead robbing the playground of participants in the near future.

The park boasts a range of exciting attractions, including a double flying fox, exercise equipment, water and musical play features, a sandpit, a custom-designed tower, and three distinct play areas designed for pre-schoolers, intermediate-aged children, and older kids.

Papatakohe Park playground in Bridleways Estate.

 

More Recent News

Kiwi exports rise

The number of kiwi raised at Maungatautari in Waipā and sent to new homes has reached almost 350. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the re-introduction of kiwi on Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari – four…

Back with a bullet

The impact a two-month closure of the Desert Road would have for Te Awamutu was the best-read story online last month. It was a comfortable winner over Viv Posselt’s piece on the Waipā women’s hub…

Tribunal departure ‘not unexpected’

After 17 years’ service, Tania Te Rangingangana Simpson (ONZM) has been replaced on the Waitangi Tribunal. King Country born and raised, Simpson has extensive experience in governance roles, as highlighted in Waikato Business News last…

Brigade is thrice blessed

Dozens of people turned up at Pirongia Volunteer Fire Brigade last Saturday to witness the blessing of not one, but three, brigade vehicles. The event was arranged to bless the latest addition to the fleet…