Public feedback important for Community Board members
The March Community Board Meeting was not a big one however incited some robust discussion. It included quarterly reports for Property Services and for Community Services. There was just one additional report, regarding the removal of the water tower on the Turata reserve.
There was a chairperson’s report and sadly 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 by going to waipadc.govt.nz/our-council/agendas-andminutes
There is lots going on right now with the Draft Transportation Strategy, Fees and Charges out for submissions and the Annual Plan about to be released.
Please make an effort to comment on these or get in touch with one of the Community Board members to give your feedback. What you think does matter.
The Draft Transportation Strategy closed on Tuesday, but Fees and Charges consultation closes at 5pm on Friday, April 8 and the Annual Plan is to be released very soon and is planned to close on April 18.
You can access this information by going to waipadc.govt.nz/our-council/haveyoursay
For those who were opposed to the water tower coming down at the Turata reserve at Kihikihi, I am sorry that an Archaeological Authority (2022/433 — document number: 10754754) has been granted for its removal, installation of two picnic tables and visitor signage in various places throughout the reserve.
I see it has already come down. I hope they got some good photos so its story can be told as a part of our history. I was privileged to see an old video of the water tower opening recently — it certainly was quite an event at the time and provided much of Kihikihi with tap water making a significant change to the lifestyles of those who lived there not having to bucket water a distance back to their homes.
The “Who Are We Te Awamutu Survey” is now public so your feedback is critical to this project. Please visit whoareweteawamutu.com to complete the survey online.
Assuming the Community Board approves it at the next meeting, the next part of the plan is to visit as many local organisations as possible to get their feedback.
This topic caused some concern at the meeting with Cr Susan O’Regan emphasising the importance of process and questioning the arrangement that was made with the Te Awamutu Courier to promote the survey. She did not question my intent, but felt we should not be giving an opportunity to one media outlet. She pointed out this could “create a perceived conflict of interest” and it could appear to be “a cosy deal” as I used to work at the Courier; and a website I part own uploads the paper each week.
The facts are, I did not make the arrangement as I was not at the interview. I did work as an advertising representative nearly five years ago and the Te Awamutu.nz website (where the paper is uploaded to) receives no remuneration.
We (Dave Owen and I) have provided this service for free since 2004 so the community can have the paper online. I do not have anything to hide or have in any way benefited from this arrangement. I supported getting the survey out to as many people as possible so we get a true reflection of how our community sees it’s town.
This discussion did identify a lack of procedure by not bringing every single decision related to “Who Are We Te Awamutu” Working Group back to the Community Board so this will be immediately addressed. Unfortunately, it may slow the progress.
The battery recycling stand has been installed at Pak’n Save and we have already removed 33.35kg of batteries after just two weeks and basically no promotion.
If you want to use the battery recycling station can you please make sure your batteries are not damaged and it would be a great help if you can tape (Sellotape is fine) any lithium or lithium ion (li-ion) batteries at both ends.
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, April 12, 2022 at 6pm. We welcome you to participate in the public forum or simply attend.