Rural Tour: Michael and Lesley Brighouse with John Parker at the Kaipaki Hall during the rural tour. Photo: Jeremy Smith.
The Cambridge Community Board’s rural tour got underway at the weekend.
Jo Davies-Colley
We visited the Kaipaki, Monavale, Fencourt and Te Miro halls. It was great to connect with the local rural community and link them with both councillors and council staff, to jointly help work through some of their concerns. Some of the points of discussion ranged from road surface conditions to the intensification of horticultural activities across Waipa and the subsequent aesthetic and environmental issues that stem from that. Other matters we discussed were upgrades of footpaths, traffic speed limits, street lighting and increased crime concerns.
We also connected with Don Heaslip who has been looking after the Fencourt Hall for over 50 years. Don is an incredible example of someone who is faithfully serving his community and his commitment to the upkeep and maintenance of the hall for such a long period of time is exemplary. Don told us that the hall committee numbers are dwindling and that more help is needed. If you are someone who lives in the Fencourt area and could help on the hall committee, please get in touch with Don.
The community board continues to work on advocating for a new library and community hub. We are working closely with the Community Services team and leaning on their expertise in council processes as we work towards our goal of seeing a new library/community hub provided for in council’s next Long Term Plan. Our survey will soon be out for circulation and we would love to hear from you.
Waipā District Council is reviewing the Dog Control Policy and Bylaw and want to hear from the community, both dog owners and those without dogs, before any decisions are made. Public consultation is open until June 16 and the submission form can be found online on the council website.
There are new dog exercise areas proposed across the district (five new in Cambridge alone) and some areas where it’s suggested dogs will now have to be leashed. Other considerations proposed are allowing dogs to enter civil defence shelters in times of emergencies and making sure dogs travelling in the back of utes and trailers are tethered for their safety. It is so important that council hear your thoughts on these issues so please give them your feedback. The community board will be submitting feedback also.
Last week I attended the citizenship ceremony held at the Cambridge Town Hall. It was wonderful to congratulate and welcome the 109 new kiwis to the Waipā district. Their cultures, languages and beliefs add to the richness of our district, and we hope their futures here will be happy and fulfilling ones.
