Cambridge Connections drop in meeting
Cambridge Community Board chair Charlotte FitzPatrick failed to get tonight’s board meeting rescheduled.
That’s enough, out of here, says Community Services manager Brad Ward at the Cambridge Connections drop in meeting
FitzPatrick had hoped the board could meet before yesterday’s Waipā District Council Strategic Planning and Policy Committee meeting to provide input into three problem statements drafted to inform the reset Cambridge Connections Transport Plan.
The timeframe was tricky, FitzPatrick told a council meeting last month, when asked for input.
Charlotte FitzPatrick
But governance staff were unable to reschedule the board meeting
“The timing is unfortunate,” FitzPatrick told The News.
“But the Cambridge Community Board has been invited to provide individual feedback on the problem statements.
“Comms around this have been good. No major issues.”
FitzPatrick hoped to attend yesterday’s council committee meeting to provide feedback on the problem statements. They concern high growth and impacts on transport network; through and across town traffic and freight vehicles accessing through residential areas and the town centre; and limitations and resilience of river crossings.
“We generally agree with the problem statements, but we will want to see more detail as we move forward in the project, for example, how we’re going to retain the town’s character, parking, traffic flow, and the overall network,” FitzPatrick said.
“We’re interested in the community’s feedback and concerns, and that will be important throughout the Cambridge Connections project.”
Katie Mayes
FitzPatrick said the board would continue to strongly advocate and gather all viewpoints from community stakeholders.
The public can can attend board meetings and speak in the public forum.
Cambridge Connections executive director Katie Mayes said, in a report that went before councillors yesterday, Cambridge Connections was a priority project under the Waipā Transport Strategy and supports delivery of the Ahu Ake Waipā Community Spatial Plan.
Mayes came onboard, and the project was reset, after a public outcry against the way the council handled the announcement of a potential corridor for a new river crossing dubbed “The Blue Blob”.
Work being undertaken on Cambridge Connections cycleway at lower Alpha Street – the site of the now discounted Blue Blob river location. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Cambridge Connections will set out how Cambridge’s transport network should evolve in the short, medium, and long term to support growth and reflect community aspirations. The plan is due for completion by December 2026.
“The plan aligns with the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) business case requirements to enable NZTA funding to be sought for future activities including infrastructure, services and further planning,” Mayes said.
“The draft problem statements are an important step in forming part of the draft Strategic Case that includes the background evidence and context for the development of the proposed solutions.”
Mayes also presented the template for a draft strategic case – an update of the original version prepared as part of earlier Cambridge Connections work.
“As a draft document, the Strategic Case will be updated as data becomes available and finalised as part of the final Cambridge Connections Transport Plan, due to be completed by December 2026,” she said.
Waipā deputy mayor Jo Davies-Colley said she welcomed a wider discussion on the timing of council meetings.
The original Cambridge Connections plan with the Blue Blob
