November 13 4pm
The owner of an American Bulldog which attacked a miniature poodle in Sherwin Park, Te Awamutu has been convicted under the Dog Control Act for owning a dog that made an attack and ordered to pay $7000 in reparation to the poodle owner.
The poodle was seriously injured and needed $20,000 worth of emergency life-saving veterinary care.
Waipā District Council group manager district growth and regulatory services Wayne Allan said that it was unusual for council to proceed with prosecutions, particularly in cases where the offending dog had been euthanised. However, there was strong public interest in sending a clear signal that dog owners who fail to comply with classifications, ignore local bylaws and are unable to control their dogs causing serious injuries to other dogs or persons, should face consequences.
Road works
Nearly 100 roads around the district, including 50 rural roads, will be repaired and resurfaced between now and March by Waipā’s maintenance contractor, Downer. Transportation manager Bryan Hudson said fewer road cones would be used, a move aimed at minimising driver frustration and saving money.
Shed returns
The Sharing Shed, hit late last month by vandals on Te Awamutu’s Anzac Green has been repaired and is back in action.
Money from Trust
Two Waipā recreational reserves are getting a $30,000 boost between them thanks to the WEL Energy Trust. Leamington Domain and Tūrāta Reserve in Kihikihi will each see projects completed – in Tūrata’s case new signs – under the trust’s capital beneficiaries project funding.
Art award
Te Awamutu Intermediate School pupil Harriet Pendleton has won the Te Awamutu Lions Peace Poster Competition and schoolmate Amani Liddicot was named runner up. The pair were two of 12 Te Awamutu youth to enter their work into the competition with the theme of Peace Without Limits. Harriet’s entry will be entered into the national competition whose winner will progress to an international final. Te Awamutu Lion and project organiser Ken Huberts said while there were thousands of entries worldwide anything was possible.
Power out
A car versus pole incident at 9.30am in Pakura St, Te Awamutu on Tuesday resulted in power outages on neighbouring streets. Power had still not been restored when The News went to press but was expected by 5.30pm.
Accident on bridge
Repairs to the historic Victoria Bridge in Cambridge could take several weeks, but the bridge is safe, sound and will remain open for the public, Waipā District Council says in a statement.
Victoria (High Level) Bridge earlier today. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Council staff and engineering consultants Beca inspected the bridge earlier today.
It was damaged last night after a car and a van collided on the Cambridge town side. The car went through the side barrier, landing on the reserve land underneath the bridge, while the van remained on the footpath.
The drivers were removed from their vehicles and taken to Waikato Hospital, one with moderate and one with minor injuries.
One 34-year-old Cambridge man was arrested and will appear in court today.
Police and emergency services secured the scene while a detour route was established to allow council staff to inspect the bridge for damage.
Fortunately, there was no structural harm, but the pedestrian barriers and timber rails were extensively damaged.
Contractors remained on the site overnight to ensure public safety, and the bridge was re-opened to traffic and pedestrians before daybreak, with temporary side barriers in place and safety monitoring.
Council staff returned to the bridge this morning to confirm the damage.
The barriers will need replacing, but the bridge itself is looking very sound, said group manager Service Delivery Dawn Inglis.
“We’re confident that it is still able to meet the needs of our community, and it was able to reopen in time so caused only minimal disruption to people.
“We will reinstate the barriers and railing to the original standard, but these will need to be sourced and manufactured.”
Inglis said council had no timeframes or price tag yet for the repair, but it will take at least several weeks. The cost is likely to be in the “tens of thousands”.
When the repairs to the barriers are being done, people should expect some temporary access restrictions, but council will time these to minimise disruption as best as possible.
The scene in Dominion Rd underneath the bridge where the car landed. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
The damaged bridge, looking down. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
A construction worker and bystander peer over the side of the damaged bridge. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
November 13, 7.30am
Scene from the crash site last night. Photo: Supplied.
One person has been arrested following a two vehicle crash on the Victoria (High Level) Bridge in Cambridge about 9pm yesterday (Tuesday).
Police say emergency services responded to Victoria Street after a vehicle went off of a bridge and one person was located with minor injuries.
The driver had reportedly been chasing a second vehicle prior to the crash, Police have since spoken with both drivers.
Those involved are believed to be known to each other.
A 34-year-old Cambridge man is due to appear before the Hamilton District Court, today, on charges related to the incident including reckless driving.
Waipa District Council is warning pedestrians to take extra care on the northern side of the bridge. Barriers are in place. The road was closed earlier this morning to allow a bridge inspection to take place.
The van on the edge of the bridge last night. Photo: Supplied.
Painting and maintenance work on the $2.6 million Victoria ‘High Level’ Bridge project finished just over a year ago.
The hinged truss bridge over the Waikato River was prefabricated in 1906 by the American Bridge Company of New York.
The bridge, a Heritage New Zealand Category One structure, was shipped to New Zealand as a 330-tonne kitset and taken by train to Cambridge and Te Awamutu for erection on either side of the Waikato River.
It was the first example of construction using the process of cantilevering the two half arches from each bank.
The use of lattice steel in bridges was relatively common in the latter half of the 19th century. In New Zealand, it was used in railway bridges like the central North Island Hāpuawhenua and Taonui viaducts and the High Level Bridge. It was also used for the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
See: A game changer for Cambridge
