The Willie Nelson song describes Waipā District Council’s Ahu Ake road show best.
“Goin’ places that I’ve never been. Seein’ things that I may never see again. And I can’t wait to get on the road again.”
Planning the future. Waipā Māori ward councillor Dale-Maree Morgan, centre, discusses Ahu Ake with John Worth, left, and Jimmy Campbell at the Cambridge Farmers’ Market. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Drop in sessions to discuss Waipā’s 30-year future growth document started at the Te Awamutu Library community meeting room on October 12 and wrap up in the Kihikihi Town Hall next week.
Cr Dale-Maree Morgan said she had been so busy with the roadshows, she would have to get reacquainted with her long-suffering husband but it was worth it, she said.
Hearing what whānau thought about the spatial plan’s five implementation packages – focusing on housing, transport, community spaces and the environment – was critical to her decision-making. Morgan is the Waipā Māori ward representative and her constituency covers the whole district.
Stops in Pirongia, Te Pahū, Te Miro, Karāpiro, Ngāhinapōuri, Rukuhia and Ōhaupō have made for a busy time for staff and elected members, including new chief executive Steph O’Sullivan and mayor Susan O’Regan.
Waipa District Council’s Ahu Ake stand at the Cambridge Farmers’ Market. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Strategy group manager Kirsty Downey, who led the project, told The News at the Cambridge Farmers’ Market on Saturday – the most successful event thus far – she was about to head off to Karāpiro for the afternoon but might give herself a day off next week to tidy up the house.
The plan has developed five implementation packages of activities which would be delivered progressively in stages and consider the district’s financial constraints.
Feedback is open until November 4.
Dale-Maree Morgan, Corren Ngerengere and Kirsty Downey listen to residents talk about the district’s future spatial plan – Ahu Ake – at the Cambridge Farmers’ Market. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Waipa community advisor Corren Ngerengere listens to a resident at the Ahu Ake stand during the Cambridge Farmers Market. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
