Second bronze for Eltje
Eltje Malzbender crowned an outstanding overall performance at the Zurich 2024 Para-Cycling Road World Championships by taking her second bronze medal of the week with a podium finish in the women’s T1 road race.
Competing over a total distance of 31.8km in tricky windy conditions which tested the bike control of the Cambridge-based tricyclist, Malzbender rode third from the outset and survived a mid-race crash to retain her position throughout the race.
In the incident, a male para cyclist competing in the T1 classification rammed into the Kiwi’s front wheel at the bottom of the hill and he fell off his bike. Malzbender thankfully remained upright on the trike.
In a repeat of the same podium finishing order from the women’s T1 individual time trial earlier in the week – gold was clinched by Marieke Van Soest of the Netherlands with Pavlina Vejvodova of Czechia in silver. A delighted Malzbender, a world champion in this event back in 2019, claimed another podium.
Malzbender, 62, said the campaign had its positives.
“Two bronze medals, a personal best for average speed in the time trial and no excessive ataxia in either event.
“I’m grateful to the support of my team – John Blake and my coach Vicki Fleming. Both have ensured the event has run as smoothly as possible.”
UCI Road and Para-cycling Road World Championships, Zurich, Switzerland – Women T1 Road Race – Eltje Malzbender (New Zealand) Photo: Ed Sykes/SWpix.com
25 September 2024
Review decision made
Waipā District Council has decided not to proceed with its proposed representation review but have considered changes to the community board representation model.
Waipā District Council comprises a mayor (elected at large) and 11 councillors, elected from five wards:
Pirongia-Kakepuku General Ward (2 councillors)
Cambridge General Ward (4 councillors)
Maungatautari General Ward (1 councillor)
Te Awamutu-Kihikihi General Ward (3 councillors)
Waipā Māori Ward (1 councillor)
The council received 109 submissions on the review – with only 23 in favour – which would have reduced the number of councillors from 10 to seven (plus the Maori ward) and combine the rural wards of Pirongia-Kakepuku and Maungatautari.
Councillors rejected that today – with only mayor Susan O’Regan in favour – and decided at their Finance and Corporate committee to recommend to the Local Government Commission that the Māori ward representative – elected at large across the district – can be included on the two community boards in Cambridge and Te Awamutu-Kihikihi.
Council currently appoints two elected councillors – one from an urban area, the other rural – to the community boards.
Following a submission from the Cambridge Community Board, councillors have amended that to provide for Māori ward representation.
Last month Waipā councillors voted to support Māori wards but the decision means voters will be polled at next year’s local body elections on whether to continue with having an at large Waipā Māori ward in the district.
See: Maori ward to remain
See: Waipa supports Maori wards
See: Mapping out Waipa
Emerging chief
Claire Williamson at the Waikato Business Awards Finalists’ Announcement at Ninja Valley, Hamilton. Photo: Stephen Barker.
Cambridge mortgage advisor Claire Williamson was named last week as one of three finalists in Waikato Chamber of Commerce’s emerging chief executive of the year. The others are Ashley Mason and Jonty Rae. The winner will be announced in mid-November.
Fines rise
Illegal parking in Waipā disability spaces will incur a fine of $750 from next month – up from $150 after government changes to parking fines. The council has issued 42 infringement notices this year, 16 were later cancelled because the person had forgotten to display their permit.
Concession debate
A Waipā resident who bought a $200 year-long concession card for pools in Te Awamutu and Cambridge but was unable to use all of it because of an injury has started a petition asking Go Waipā to reconsider extending concession cards under those circumstances.
Fund open
Waipā’s District Promotion event fund – which aims to support events that drive economic activity and promote Waipā as a great place to live, work, invest in, or visit – is open for applications. The amount available has reduced from $150,000 to $75,000.
Roadworks underway
Work resealing the roads in Lake and Kirkwood streets got underway today. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Ammunition found
Fill your own helium balloon tank clearly labelled that it doesn’t go into household recycling. Photo: Supplied.
More live ammunition has been found in recycling at the Te Awamutu sorting centre. A shotgun cartridge was found the day after a helium tank was pulled out of another load of recycling on its way to the sorting line. Both items were collected from Cambridge properties.
