The Kenworth bug …
Kenworth convoy. Photo: Rod Simmonds.
It was a day for owners of Kenworths last Saturday as almost 900 went on display at the Mystery Creek Events Centre and owners celebrated the start of the American company’s second 100 years. Waipā civil mining contractors C&R Developments displayed four Kenworths from their heavy haul fleet.
Balloons back
Balloons over Waikato will celebrate its 25th anniversary by visiting the domain at Lake Karapiro on March 22. The balloons have previously visited Te Awamutu, Cambridge and Karāpiro – but weather and Covid have marred the past few years.
Ingham purchase
Ingham Motors, which started in Ōtorohanga 55 years ago and expanded into Te Awamutu, Hamilton, Auckland, Tauranga, Taupō and Hawke’s Bay, has purchased Windsor Nissan Motors in Cambridge. Principal Ross Dodds will remain with the dealership. The company purchased the former Bunnings site next door two years ago,
Clam show
Clams in a resin block
Auckland Council is planning to update residents in the city about golden clams – which are being contained after they were found in the Waikato River. Check Clean Dry ambassadors at Lake Karāpiro show river and lake users jars of dried clams and now Auckland is getting resin blocks holding clams to show off at events like a community open day at Lake Pupuke, Takapuna.
MPI at Lake Karapiro during the waka ama.
CEO wanted
Garry Dyet
The task to find a successor to Waipā District Council chief executive Garry Dyet is underway.
Dyet announced at the end of November he would be leaving the role in middle of this year after 45 years at the council.
District councillors approved the wording of a job advert yesterday.
Dyet is scheduled to finish on June 30 but there is some flexibility as a contingency to accommodate a brief handover period.
Bus fares up
Velodrome stop: A report recommends more refurbished bus stops like the one at the Velodrome. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Waikato Regional Council has announced a 20 per cent increase in fares for buses. Councillors, who were told during a workshop that 15 per cent of their $1.2 billion infrastructure assets were in poor or very poor condition, have also proposed a 10-year budget starting with a six per cent rates rise in 2024-25.
Money available
Waipā community groups can now apply for funding to support their projects or events from the council’s Community Discretionary Fund. Cambridge Community Board has $29,595, Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Board $8452 and Pirongia ward committee $10,130. Community clubs, groups and organisations are eligible, with one-off projects and fundraising events prioritised. Applications close on March 1.
Plan out
The draft Waikato Regional Land Transport Plan for the next 30 years has gone out for public feedback. The plan is updated every three years and the Regional Transport Committee comprises representatives from Waikato councils, Waka Kotahi and KiwiRail.
Road works
Work is continuing for the mid-year addition of a State Highway 1 median barrier between Keeley’s Reserve and Moana Roa Road, Karāpiro. At nearby Gorton Rd work is also continuing on a turnaround bay at Gorton Rd, and another will follow across the road at Tunakawa Rd.
