Te Awamutu’s growth spurt
The February Community Board meeting included quarterly reports for District Growth and Civil Defence Emergency Management. There were three additional reports, one regarding the Economic Wellbeing Strategy, a Skatepark Update and an overview of the Transport Strategy.
We approved not replacing board member Derbyshire due to the process taking up too much time and this then requiring the new board member to not be able to start until April.
The was no chairperson’s report and we did not have any members of the public join us for the public forum.
For full details of this meeting you can read the agenda or watch the meeting on Youtube by going to waipadc.govt.nz/our-council/agendasand-minutes .
The district is certainly growing at what seems a dizzying pace despite the impact of Covid.
Te Awamutu for one of the first times had significantly more dwelling building consents processed than Cambridge with $17,771,057 as compared to $6,070,945 in October 2021. For some this is distasteful; that our quiet town is growing so quickly, and we are covering our beautiful farmland with houses. It all comes back to one reason — population growth, not necessarily within our own town but nationally and as a result government instructs council to rezone and let land become available for development. Then with many people seeing Waipa as a preferred place to live we are seeing more growth than ever as the demand for homes increases.
Te Awamutu is also experiencing more commercial development too, with an un-manned fuel stop going into the old Z site in Alexandra Street, sheds popping up at the new industrial subdivision on Bond Road and an environmentally helpful initiative on Racecourse Road. Global Contracting Solutions Ltd have requested resource consent for a plant to generate power through the combustion of refuse derived fuel. It is also good to see Habitat for Humanity are hoping to supply 46 more one-bedroom units for the elderly with the access off Roche Street.
The skate parks are coming along really well with some great feedback having been received and modifications to the design made accordingly. A public day onsite was planned to update those interested but due to being in traffic light red this will now be conducted via zoom tomorrow at 4pm. Construction is due to get started March/ April and to be completed by September. With some artwork planned to make it more attractive along with the quality of this attraction it will be a great asset for the Te Awamutu Community.
Steve Tritt, Business Development Manager is working on a Waipa Economic Wellbeing Strategy. The vision for this project is to provide strategy that is fit for purpose, aligns with council vision and community outcomes. To ensure business resilience, prosperity, to promote Waipa as an attractive and viable place to do business and to identify the opportunities for growth. This will be available for public consultation along with the Annual Plan later in March.
Right now, Council has just released the
Transportation Strategy. It is a big document for those who want the full rundown. Fortunately there is an abbreviated version! It includes changes to
way we use the roads, like increased cycle and pedestrian walkways, increased public transport, traffic flows and ways to future proof our transportation system.
You can access this information by going to waipadc.govt.nz/our-council/haveyoursay where you will see a link “2021-2051-how-waipa-ismoving-with-the-times”. Submissions close at 5pm on Monday, March 7.
This is a big one and will affect us all so please make the effort to read and feedback your comments.
The Animal Nuisance Bylaw, because of councillor comments and public submissions is having further modifications made. Thank you to those people who stood up and gave useful and constructive feedback — it made a difference. I am hoping it will also include an allowance/ exemption for pet owners who look after their animals to be less restricted.
Unfortunately, the Wattle Pulling had to be cancelled on Saturday due to our guide and leader injuring himself and us being in traffic light red Covid status. We will have another go when we get back to Orange. Many thanks to those who were lined up to help us and I do hope we managed to let everyone know it was off. Apologies if you did go out last Sat morning.
Community Board was saddened to learn of the break in out at the Pukeatua Church where some priceless items were stolen. We do hope that seeing as they are engraved antique pieces that they may turn up and be returned. We were interested to learn that the Pukeatua Church is also one of only two memorial churches in New Zealand.
We are in the final stages of preparing the “Who Are We Te Awamutu Survey” and look forward to getting this out into the community within the next month to get your responses.
On a positive the battery recycling stand will be being installed at Pak N Save any day now and may even be in place by the time this goes to print. Keep an eye out and bring down those old household batteries.
Please contact any of the members if you have a topic you would like to discuss with them or bring to the Community Board table.
Your Community Board Contacts are: Ange Holt — Social Services 027 439 5744 angela.holt@waipadc.govt.nz
Richard Hurrell — Sports and Environmental 027 458 8164 richard.hurrell@waipadc.govt.nz Jill Taylor — Youth and Service Groups 027 415 4908 jill.taylor@waipadc.govt.nz
Kane Titchener — Youth and Service Groups 022 637 8003 kane.titchener@waipadc.govt.nz Susan O’Regan — 027 222 7784 susan. oregan@waipadc.govt.nz
Lou Brown — 027 391 8620 lou. brown@waipadc.govt.nz
Our next Community Board Meeting will be Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 6pm. We welcome you to participate in the public forum or simply attend.