Rally bid declined
Ōtorohanga crew at the 2019 Targa, Andrew Oakley (left), Steve Hutchins and Adam Martin “terrible hoons when we were kids”.
Organisers of the Targa Rally have been dealt a blow by a Waitomo District Council decision to decline an application for road closures.
Councillor Janette Osborne told The News the council had turned down the application because of concerns raised in submissions and the anticipated impact road closures would have during a long weekend.
Rally organisers wanted to have roads closed on October 25 and 26 for the event – but those dates clash with Labour Weekend. Labour Day, a public holiday, is on October 28.
Roads which would have been impacted included part of Harbour Road within the Waitomo District, Taharoa Road, Te Anga Road, Haurua Road, Waitomo Valley Road and Rangitoto Road.
The four-day rally based around Otorohanga, Kawhia Harbour, King Country and finishing in Rotorua, is planned to start on October 24.
10 October 10am
Legal proceedings
A Kihikihi ratepayer is seeking more than $2.5 million in damages, interest and costs from Waipā District Council dating back to 2001 when the council completed stormwater system work in the town. The action before the High Court in Hamilton says council has been negligent, breached its statutory duty and created a nuisance in relation to a private drain on the plaintiffs’ property.
Reserves call
Community input is being sought to help shape the management of four iwi-owned reserves in Waipā. The four reserves are under the administration of Ngā Pae Whenua, a joint management body made up of iwi representatives from Ngāti Koroki Kahukura and members of Waipā District Council. The reserves were part of the Ngāti Koroki Kahukura Treaty settlement with the Crown.
Ombudsman delay
Waipā District Council is still awaiting a response from the Ombudsman regarding a Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act complaint made by The News seven months ago, Internal Assurance advisor Janice Downard told the council’s Audit and Risk committee this week. Cr Roger Gordon said that seemed a long time to wait. A case manager from the Ombudsman’s office has been assigned but the workload is “very stretched.”
Fitness aplenty
Fitness fans now have more motivation to work out in Te Awamutu, thanks to new exercise equipment installed in Pioneer Park. A 4.8m slackline set, hip swing and an endless rope machine were donated by Waipā Masonic Lodge with help from the Potter Masonic Trust. Jill Taylor – a Te Awamutu and Kihikihi Community Board member – helped arrange the donation.
Boom continues
Passenger numbers on the Te Awamutu-Kihikihi 24 regional bus service to and from Hamilton remain high with 12,051 catching the service last month, 2571 down on the record 14,622 who caught it in August. The Te Kūiti Connector 26 service, while showing some disappointing numbers in the King Country, is well supported from Te Awamutu, Ōhaupō and Kihikihi and provides another option when number 24 buses are full.
Report delayed
For the second consecutive year, Waipā’s annual report has been delayed by Audit New Zealand. It was to have been presented to the Audit and Risk committee this week but will now go to an extraordinary meeting later this month before it is adopted by the council on October 29.
Spatial plan
The Draft Ahu Ake – Waipā Community Spatial Plan – Waipā District Council’s 30-year blueprint – outlines a long-term vision for how the district should grow and develop and addresses key priorities such as land use, housing affordability, environmental stewardship, community infrastructure, and transport management. The plan also recognises Mana Whenua and Iwi aspirations, ensuring the district’s cultural heritage is honoured. Consultation is open on the plan until November 4.
Matters outstanding
Seven necessary, one urgent and one beneficial management actions remain outstanding from past Waipā District Council annual reports, staff told the Audit and Risk committee. The urgent item is from 2022/23 and relates to ensuring frequent checks are made to the council’s fixed asset register. Staff said it would require a full system redesign across various functions.
