- This article is an update of our 18 September 2025 print version
Mystery surrounded a last-ditch attempt today to prevent more than 200 truck movements a day through the Cambridge CBD by introducing a no-right-turn restriction into Tīrau Road from a Newcombe Road quarry.
The intersection of Tirau and Newcombe Rds where it is proposed to have a no right turn. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
The News understands Waipā District councillor Roger Gordon has tabled a notice of motion in time for next week’s council meeting.
Roger Gordon – 2025
Meanwhile, one of the opponents of the quarry – granted consent last month by independent commissioners – has lodged an appeal by the September 17 deadline and sent a letter today to all district councillors.
Rhys Powell told The News that granting a 35-year consent – when the applicant, RS Sand, had only applied for 25 years – was one of several grounds for his appeal.
He also objected to the landscape provisions, which fall within a cultural landscape zone, citing concerns over amenity, dust, duration, ecology, and the retention of 32-metre-high riverbanks.
“Despite overwhelming opposition from 350 submissions, the panel – and by extension, the council – has failed the community by endorsing a proposal riddled with flaws that prioritises an outside company’s profits over local safety, health, and economic fairness. The views and evidence from the community were largely ignored by Waipa District and its consultants,” said Powell in his letter.
Rhys Powell
“While the commissioners technically approved the quarry, they did so on the basis of Waipā District Council’s recommendation for approval. It is deeply disappointing that (the council) now seeks to hide behind that outcome and the consultants it engaged, rather than taking accountability for its own role in this flawed process.”
Powell has not objected to the transport part of the consent, which allows for up to 400 truck movements a day — there and back from Newcombe Road.
“Basically, they are permitted to take all of Cambridge town if they want,” he said.
“The road maintenance will be subsidised by ratepayers, as Waipā District Council will only receive $17,200 a year as the roading contribution.”
Gordon’s notice of motion proposes designating the intersection of Newcombe and Tīrau roads as left turn only for heavy commercial vehicles associated with traffic leaving the quarry.
“This action is necessary to prevent fully laden quarry trucks from travelling through the Cambridge town centre, thereby exacerbating congestion, increasing road safety risks, and accelerating pavement damage,” his request said.
The notice of motion echoed an unsuccessful submission made by Cambridge Chamber of Commerce during the hearing, which asked commissioners to impose a left-turn-only condition for quarry trucks.
According to Gordon’s supporting documentation, the sand-laden trucks would instead travel south on the Expressway to the Hydro Road turning bay – protecting the Cambridge town centre from heavy traffic.
The intersection would fall under Waipā’s Public Places Bylaw under the Land Transport Act, which prohibits right turns by certain classes of vehicles. The council would be acting in its capacity as the road controlling authority.
A similar restriction has been in place for years at the Lake and Queen Street intersection near Lakewood, between McDonald’s and Ingham Motors.
The intersection of Queen and Lake streets which has had a no right turning in place for years. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
After The News went to press, Waipa Growth and Regulatory Services group manager Wayne Allan confirmed to Gordon the council does have jurisdiction to exercise its powers under the bylaw.
The News understands the intersection is not part of a New Zealand Transport Authority designation under the Resource Management Act designation which starts at the Waikato Expressway Tirau Rd on ramp. It is therefore part of the local road network and comes under Waipa’s control, sources told The News.
Kelly Bouzaid
Chamber chief executive Kelly Bouzaid confirmed they would not appeal the commissioners’ findings but supported Gordon’s bid for the no right turn.
“It was our initial submission and was a solution to mitigate traffic.
“We still believe that and will advocate accordingly,” she said.
“It won’t stop all the trucks travelling through town, but it will prevent half of them – the half that is laden with sand – from going through our beautiful CBD.”
See: Applicants’ submission to independent hearing
Aroha Croft at the intersection of Tirau and Newcombe Rds holding a proposed sign. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Earlier version
Mystery surrounds a last-ditch attempt to prevent more than 200 truck movements a day through the Cambridge CBD by introducing a no-right-turn restriction into Tīrau Road from a Newcombe Road quarry.
The News understands Waipā District councillor Roger Gordon wanted to table a notice of motion – after we went to press – in time for next week’s council meeting.
Meanwhile, one of the opponents of the quarry – granted consent last month by independent commissioners – lodged an appeal by yesterday’s (Wednesday) deadline.
Rhys Powell told The News that granting a 35-year consent – when the applicant, RS Sand, had only applied for 25 years – was one of several grounds for his appeal.
He also objected to the landscape provisions, which fall within a cultural landscape zone, citing concerns over amenity, dust, duration, ecology, and the retention of 32-metre-high riverbanks.
Powell has not objected to the transport part of the consent, which allows for up to 400 truck movements a day — there and back from Newcombe Road.
“Basically, they are permitted to take all of Cambridge town if they want. It’s not covered,” he said.
“The road maintenance will be subsidised by ratepayers, as Waipā District Council will only receive $17,200 a year as the roading contribution.”
Gordon’s notice of motion proposed designating the intersection of Newcombe and Tīrau roads as left turn only for heavy commercial vehicles associated with traffic leaving the quarry.
“This action is necessary to prevent fully laden quarry trucks from travelling through the Cambridge town centre, thereby exacerbating congestion, increasing road safety risks, and accelerating pavement damage,” his request said.
The notice of motion echoed an unsuccessful submission made by Cambridge Chamber of Commerce during the hearing, which asked commissioners to impose a left-turn-only condition for quarry trucks.
According to Gordon’s supporting documentation, the sand-laden trucks would instead travel south on the Expressway to the Hydro Road turning bay – protecting the Cambridge town centre from heavy traffic.
The intersection would fall under Waipā’s Public Places Bylaw, which prohibits right turns by certain classes of vehicles.
A similar restriction has been in place for years at the Lake and Queen Street intersection near Lakewood, between McDonald’s and Ingham Motors.
However, as The News went to press, there was still debate over whether jurisdiction for the intersection lies with Waipā District Council or the New Zealand Transport Agency.
Chamber chief executive Kelly Bouzaid confirmed they would not appeal the commissioners’ findings but supported Gordon’s bid for the no right turn.
“It was our initial submission and was a solution to mitigate traffic.
“We still believe that and will advocate accordingly,” she said.
“It won’t stop all the trucks travelling through town, but it will prevent half of them – the half that is laden with sand – from going through our beautiful CBD.”
See: Applicants’ submission to independent hearing
