Mike Pettit, Chairman of the Cambridge Community Board, shared an update from their latest meeting.
Mike Pettit
We received a response from NZTA regarding the Board asking for the physical drivers licence test to be reinstated after it was removed in 2012. At that time, NZTA determined that Cambridge did not have the traffic volume or road complexity needed to ensure that young and novice drivers would be exposed to the higher assessment criteria required to pass the restricted and full license tests. Clearly our road complexity is now not the issue or traffic volumes based on the two closest testing stations, being Te Awamutu and Matamata. They now state that due to the lack in the volume of tests been undertaken by residents from Cambridge, 971 in 2017, that we are not eligible. We will take this as a formal discussion to the August meeting. If Cambridge desires this testing back, which the CCB supports, then we will need your support. Please send emails in support of this to: Tara Kiriona, Senior Customer Access Representative, [email protected], and please cc myself in the email – [email protected].
The Board has received an in-depth response from the Ministry of the Environment regarding the placement of telecommunication towers in residential areas. We have now asked council to make a joint submission asking for change to the current legislation.
Telco towers can affect anyone living anywhere so we encourage you to also make a submission here by August 17.
The CCB heard from Cambridge East School representatives regarding the fireworks event – held at Mighty River Domain for the past two years. We are 100 per cent behind the event as it gives joy to thousands of Waipa residents. It is a way people can enjoy a professional display within a safe and family friendly environment. We understand there are a couple of issues to be worked through, however the community are behind the event and hope it eventuates later in the year.
I wish to acknowledge and thank Taina Witheford who is departing as CEO from the Chamber of Commerce and has been a real advocate for business and Cambridge as a whole over the past few years. I also acknowledge Roger Gordon, CEO of I-Site and Destination Cambridge, who has done so much adding value to increasing Cambridge’s profile and helping it becoming increasingly a tourist destination town.
Our CCB meetings take place on the first Wednesday of each month starting with a Public Forum at 6pm, where members of the public are able to come and speak.
To place an item on the formal agenda, please do so at least 10 days before the meeting, either by emailing myself on; [email protected] or our CCB secretary, [email protected] or contact any board member by visiting the Waipa District Council website.
