No more balloons
New chief
Damien Whiffen
Waipā Networks has named chartered engineer Damien Whiffen as its next chief executive. He will take over from acting chief Tom Bromfield in April and moves from a senior role at Mainpower. Previous chief Sean Horgan stepped down after three years in December.
Balloon inflation
Balloons over Waikato
The reasoning behind Waipā District Council’s decision not to host an evening of the Balloons over Waikato this year has become clearer. The council says it would have faced a near 30 per cent increase in costs to host an event – up to about $25,400. Most of the increase was due to higher costs for traffic and waste management. Many of the costs cannot be recovered if the event is cancelled at short notice.
Arrowing in
Bowhunter Gary Keoghan will be a guest at the Mt Pirongia Lions’ market on Sunday when the winner of a Predator Free Te Awamutu and Pirongia Kids Koi Carp Challenge will be announced. Koi have caused considerable biodiversity loss and water quality decline. They can grow to 75cm and weight 12kg.
Feedback sought
Waipa district councillors have backed Waka Kotahi proposals to introduce 60km/h zones to slow traffic on State Highway 29 at the crossroad with Taotaoroa and Totman roads near the Piarere roundabout and on State Highway 39 at the intersections with Tuhikaramea and Livingstone roads.
Groups established
Cambridge Community Board discussed establishing thee working groups – for Anzac and Armistice days and Bihoro and Le Quesnoy sister cities – at its meeting on Tuesday night. It was recommended Chris Minneé chair the Anzac/Armistice group, Andrew Myers the Bihoro and Gerda Venter the Le Quesnoy groups.
Footpath angst
Charlotte FitzPatrick
There are no plans by Waipā District Council to prohibit bikes and scooters in high-volume pedestrian areas of Cambridge as part of an updated bylaw, Cambridge Community Board chair Charlotte FitzPatrick says in her report to the board this week.
Courtesy signs in Victoria and Duke streets could still improve pedestrian safety and the council should consider implementing it, she said.
Discretionary grants
Community groups and organisations are being encouraged to apply for their share of a $27,500 discretionary fund from Waipā District Council. The final decision about allocation would be made by Cambridge Community Board and would include up to $6000 for the Anzac Day service.
New panel
Waikato District Council has launched a Community Voice Panel to enable residents to take a more direct role in shaping the future of the district. The panel is made up of residents who will take part in short, online surveys throughout the year. Mayor Aksel Bech says the panel will be built in at the start of council’s processes so it can help shape the decisions.
Kapa Haka
Claudelands will host one of the regional finals of the Kapa Haka nationals, in mid-April. The first was held at Waipukurau last weekend and is followed by another 12, including one on the Gold Coast, through to mid-June.
