Cyber stars
Waipā District Council has been recognised for its outstanding cybersecurity efforts, taking out the ‘Best in Cyber Security’ award at the Association of Local Government Information Management annual awards last week.
The award is given to the council with the highest compliance score in cyber security maturity, highlighting the importance of safeguarding sensitive digital information from unauthorised access, theft, damage, or disruption.
Arsenic in water update
Waipā water is still safe to use, with today’s test results showing a small reduction in the levels of arsenic in the district’s treated drinking water.
The results received today recorded 0.0129 and 0.0143 milligrams per litre from the two main treatment plants, down from 0.0138 and 0.0145 yesterday. The maximum acceptable standard for arsenic in New Zealand drinking water is 0.01 milligrams per litre.
Water services manager Karl Pavlovich said the latest tests were taken before the additional processes were turned on to help reduce the arsenic levels. These processes are used in summer to address taste and odour issues.
Steel removal
Steel that was once a ladder and walkway over a century ago will now be removed from the Cambridge Water Tower, as it has deteriorated significantly and is a danger to the public.
Waipā District Council will start work on Wednesday, December 4 to remove the highly corroded steel at the top of the historic water tower, but this will not impact the future of the structure.
Property services manager David Varcoe said Waipā residents should rest assured that this work is simply to remove the steel, which is a health and safety risk as it could fall and hit people or property below.
Water safe to drink
Waipā water remains safe to drink following slightly elevated levels of arsenic found in the district’s treated drinking water. Waipā District Council tested their treatment plants after Watercare and Hamilton City Council discovered a small increase in levels of arsenic in their treated water taken from the Waikato River.
The results received recorded 0.0138 and 0.0145 milligrams per litre from two Waipā water treatment plants. The maximum acceptable standard for arsenic in New Zealand drinking water is 0.01milligrams per litre.
Waipa comes third
Waipa District Council came third in the Association of Local Government Information Management annual awards for best customer experience. Last year Waipā was ranked 31 out of the 78 councils and two council-controlled organisations who were ‘mystery shopped’.
The ranking was based on a scoring from a mystery caller who called and emailed on three separate days at different times. It was scored on first impressions and overall experience, communication and listening skills, ability to problem solve, subject knowledge and resolution.
Double decker delight
Waipa’s new double decker bus
Double decker buses have been added to Waipa bus routes. The electric buses provide more seats and are a big step forward in the district’s ongoing effort to make public transport more accessible, efficient, and eco-friendly. The new electric buses are being fitted with readers for the prepaid travel card Bee Card, and drivers are currently undergoing training to operate the new vehicles smoothly and efficiently.
Christmas parade
Cambridge Christmas Parade last year was hit by rain; fingers crossed no rain this year. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Santa Claus is coming to town. The annual Cambridge Christmas Parade will be held on Sunday with the first of the floats leaving from the Town Clock shortly after 2pm. The theme this year is Recycled Christmas and prizes will be given in four categories: Business, School, Pre-School and Community Group/Organisation. Despite it being his busiest time of the year, Santa will be available for photos at the Christmas Festival in the Town Hall afterwards.
Twenty for Karen
Karen Covell cuts her 20th anniversary cake. Photo: Supplied.
Waipā-based Progress to Health chief executive Karen Covell celebrated 20 years with the community support organisation last week. She is now one of the longest-serving CEOs in a sector where chair Mark Brown says the average tenure is around six years.
Covill started with the Hamilton organisation in 2004 when it was known as New Pathways or New Progress Enterprises. It was established to provide a broad range of support services in the community following the closure of Tokanui Psychiatric Hospital.
“Others here today represent organisations set up at similar times and will identify with the challenges for any organisation staying true to the mission while being agile adaptable and able to reinterpret that mission in the light of our understanding today,” Brown said at a celebratory function. Progress to Health has team members in Hamilton, Taranaki, Tokoroa and Taupō.
Pathway traffic
The Hamilton Road pathway had 8002 users last month with cyclists representing more than half of them. The busiest day was October 24 with 352 users, Waipā District Council’s counter recorded near its new bus shelter. The counter does not count cars travelling along the pathway.
Dug up again
Wilson Street
The surface of Wilson Street is 20 years old and needed replacing, said Waipa District Council Transportation manager Bryan Hudson. “But logically we waited until the cycleway was complete before scheduling it as part of our summer resealing programme. We reseal in summer as we need warmer, drier weather for this work to be effective.”
The work done during the cycleway project was just to patch the seal along the new kerb line, he said. During the resurfacing work, the council uncovered an unexpected tomo on the road edge. An adjacent manhole needed to be repaired, and this was organised by the water services team. It will impact a small area of pavement in the future.
Hire charges up
Cambridge Town Hall in the autumn. Photo: Roy Pilott
Rates to hire Cambridge Town Hall will increase by 10-20 per cent from July next year. Community groups and charitable organisations will still be eligible for a discount. The Town Hall Community Trust tabled the changes at Waipā District Council’s Finance and Corporate committee this week as part of its Statement of Intent. It will cost $1320 to hire the hall for a full day and $180 to rent the refurbished Edwardian and Victorian rooms for two hours during the day.
Traffic talk
Transportation manager Bryan Hudson briefed Waipā councillors at a workshop this week on traffic calming measures in place across the district. The initiatives reduce excessive speed, provide safe crossing places, reduce rat running (taking shortcuts), create attractive urban spaces and reduce crashes and injury severity, he told councillors. Cambridge councillor Roger Gordon disputed how speed bumps had been installed in areas where no consultation had taken place with the community.
Craft fair
A St Andrew’s Cambridge Craft Fair is being held at the church on Saturday. The addition to the usual Giant Craft Fairs organised annually by church verger Ian Dunn will mark St Andrew’s Day and Christmas. The Greater Waikato Railway Modellers and their miniature trains will be an attraction.
Hotel to open
The downstairs Speakeasy bar at The Clement Hotel in Cambridge.
The former Masonic Hotel in Duke St, now a 29-room historic boutique hotel known as The Clements Hotel, will open early next year. Capstone Hotel Management will manage the property which includes a speakeasy bar, conference facilities, restaurant and bar.
The signature Gallery Restaurant overlooking the terrace and gardens.
Cakes for sale
Cambridge Lions Club members Gay Geursen, left, and Beth Robinson spent a few hours last Saturday selling Christmas cakes at the BNZ corner in Victoria St.
Cambridge Lions Club members Gay Geursen and Beth Robinson spent a few hours last Saturday selling Christmas cakes at the BNZ corner in Victoria St. The packaged 1kg cakes are being sold for the first time this year as a Lions’ club fundraiser, and proceeds from sales will go towards those in need in and around Cambridge.
