TE AWAMUTU COURIER, THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013 LETTERS to the EDITOR Te Awamutu Courier WDC Committed to Affordable Pensioner Housing
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Te Awamutu Te Awamutu Your Vodafone Local Dealer Published Tuesday & ThursdayTHURSDAY THURSDAY, JANUARY MAY 9, 19, 2013 2012 Courier We are now at 1/119 Alexandra Street (Old BNZ Building) YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FOR OVER 100 YEARS Ph: 07 870 6031 Fax: 07 870 6032 CIRCULATED FREE TO 12,109 HOMES THROUGHOUT TE AWAMUTU AND SURROUNDING DISTRICTS. EXTRA COPIES 40c. BRIEFLY Fee for Maungatautari BOT elections Boards hold overall responsibility for the governance of a school, setting goals, determining strategic direction, monitoring their school’s performance and raising the achievement of each and every student. Local residents are being encouraged to nominate someone in their community who they think would be suitable to help with this governance as a school trustee. Board of Trustees elections are coming up and most schools are seeking nominations. Anyone interested in gaining a nomination should also approach their local school. Insurance changes Home insurance will come under the spotlight at this month’s Te Awamutu Continuing Education Group on Wednesday May15. Speaker Ron Kardas will be explaining likely changes to the basis for cover. The meeting gets uinderway at 9.30am in Waipa TC090513SP01A Workingman’s Club ($2 entry). BIRD’S eye view of Maungatautari’s Southern Enclosure treescape from the viewing tower. Visitors will pay for the privilege from July 1. Quiz night Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust has on the mountain.’’ manager Tony Roxburgh said council Te Awamutu Community decided to charge people to visit the southern Mr Anderson stressed that the fee would supported the trust’s decision to introduce a Animal Rehoming and enclosure at Maungatautari wildlife sanctuary only apply to the Southern Enclosure. facilities fee. Education (TA CARE) is from July 1. ‘‘The main mountain will remain freely ‘‘Ratepayers have been very supportive of staging a quiz night on May 29 The $15 adult fee (children, seniors and accessible to everyone and that’s important.’’ Maungatautari. But the trust does need to move (7pm). students would pay less) is being introduced to Maungatautari wildlife sanctuary is made towards a more sustainable business model.’’ Teams of four ($10pp) are help offset the costs of the extra facilities now up of 3400 hectares surrounded by a 47km pest- He noted that the legislation around scenic provided by the Trust that maintains the inland proof fence. reserves provides for costs associated with invited to enter the fundraising wildlife sanctuary. Rare birds already living on the mountain guiding and added-value experiences to be event at the RSA. Those facilities include a visitor centre, include takahe, kiwi, kaka, kereru, tui, recovered. For entries or more details viewing tower, improved tracks, toilets and bellbirds, North Island robins and hihi. ‘‘The trust is looking at ways to acknowledge phone the TA CARE charity signage. The fee will also support the trust’s ‘‘It’s difficult to compare Maungatautari community support for the mountain, poten- shop (ph 870 1822) or Lorraine conservation work. with anything because it is unique in the tially through the distribution of a one-use (027 2006 477). Trust general manager Malcolm Anderson world,’’ Mr Anderson said. voucher,’’ Mr Anderson said. said the fee had not been introduced lightly. ‘‘We believe $15 more than stacks up in terms In late June, before the fee was introduced, it Winter market After more than 12 years of struggling for of value and that’s what our visitor surveys would host an open weekend at the Southern Te Awamutu has a winter funds and relying on volunteers and supporters suggest.’’ Enclosure and encourage as many visitors as produce market operating the Trust had little choice. The only other option Hamilton and Waikato Tourism chief execu- possible. each Thursday (2.30pm - was to lay off staff and reduce the trust’s ability tive Kiri Goulter said Maungatautari was a The Trust needs at least $1.6 million per year 5.30pm) in the Homeward to operate. ‘unique gem’ that was worthy of the $15 fee and to fulfil its role on the mountain and this year it carpark. Introducing a fee is part of a wider funding in line with similar visitor experiences. had budgeted to raise $800,000 on its own. Stalls include a range of and visitor strategy to make the trust far less ‘‘The feedback we’ve had about fresh produce, gourmet and reliant on public funding, grants and donations. Maungatautari, both from domestic and inter- ■ Entry fees to other Waikato attractions include: gluten free breads, olive oils, ‘‘If we are to continue enhancing the visitor national visitors, has been very positive. We Hobbiton, $75; Ruakuri Cave, $119; Waitomo pickles, relishes, plants and experience and encouraging more visitors, we believe that it has strong potential to develop Glowworm Caves, $48; Otorohanga Kiwi House, $20; takeaway food. need to be able to fund some of that ourselves into a ‘must see’ visitor attraction for not only Hamilton Zoo, $16; Sculpture Park, $15. Entry charges and not rely on others. The fee will all be the region but the country,’’ she said. to other wildlife sanctuaries: Pukaka Mt Bruce, $20; invested directly back into enhancing facilities Waipa District Council community facilities Zealandia ,$18; Orokonui, $16. IT’S BACK 35Litre BLACK GUMBOOT SPRAYSMART DAY SPOT SPRAYER SPECIALS FRIDAY 17 MAY 2013 FROM $291+GST PLUS GST Full range of spot and knapsack sprayers in stock 55Litre 9199808AA www.wilksbrooke.co.nz 132 Kihikihi Road, Te Awamutu. Phone 871 3079 Benson Road, Te Awamutu. Phone 07 870 2411. www.powerfarming.co.nz 9199802AA 2 TE AWAMUTU COURIER, THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Te Awamutu Courier WDC committed to affordable pensioner housing CONTACTS Waipa District Council con- services and facilities across all We make staff available to Our updated website siders our pensioners and our towns and villages. assist in filling out the includes a downloadable appli- MANAGER seniors as a valued part of our Council is planning applications and will visit cation called ‘Browse Aloud’ community and it is disappoint- improvements to the high level people in their own homes if that will assist eyesight Alan Price ing Phil Brooks thinks other- bridge in Cambridge so that they are housebound. impaired residents by having e: [email protected] wise. pedestrians and mobility We set up stalls in the street the web pages read aloud to Mr Brooks seems to ignore scooters can safely share access in both Cambridge and Te Awa- them. EDITOR council’s commitment to pro- across the river. mutu to promote the rebate We also regularly update Dean Taylor vide affordable pensioner hous- A presentation by the Uni- scheme and staff liaise with and consult with Greypower on e: [email protected] ing for those in difficult situa- versity of Waikato to a full Citizens Advice, church key Council documents and tions, these are well council meeting on the chang- groups, Work and Income as plans, and through our road maintained and on enquiry of ing demographics of the district well as media to make as many safety co-ordinator provide free REPORTERS any of the tenants you will find as our population ages is being people aware of the rebate as tuition and training on safe Cathy Asplin our staff take a very personal used to inform our long term possible. driving for seniors. e: [email protected] interest in the tenants strategies for our residents. Any rebate granted is Mr Brooks’ unqualified wellbeing. A rates rebate is available to immediately credited to their criticism is disappointing as Colin Thorsen Council also recently com- both superannuitants and low rate account if there are rates Council respects, acknowledges e: [email protected] missioned an independent income earners and we provide due or refunded to them if they and supports our seniors and report with CCS to identify an information flyer in the first have paid in full. pensioners with the provision ADVERTISING mobility and disability issues instalment of rates outlining To ensure we keep our of a wide range of support for our residents and is about to the availability of the scheme, senior residents well informed services. Dorinda Courtney commit the first $100,000 of a with those who qualified the we have a Seniors Council that WAYNE GREEN e: [email protected] potential $600,000 programme previous year automatically meets five times a year and is Community Relationships of works to ensure our elderly sent an application form each briefed on council’s activities Manager Julie Jackson residents have safe access to year. by senior managers. Waipa District Council e: [email protected] Bookings [email protected] Scaramuzza’s facts don’t stack up Not unanimous CLASSIFIEDS I wish to reply to Cr against a new $15 million the only 50 metre pool In reference to Councillor Scaramuzza’s letter Joe Scaramuzza’s Cambridge pool, Te Awa- when it can be revamped about the new Cambridge Pool Complex, saying it Tania Cortesi-Western, Rhonda Bird attempt to regain some mutu Library and for only a few million had unanimous support from Councillors. Anna-Marie Holmes credibility. Museum. The Cambridge dollars. I have never voted for Option 6, believing it to be [email protected] Cr Scaramuzza, you pool had 14 in support You say I have no too expensive at $13-$15 million when there was are or were the chairman and 112 opposed. respect for ratepayer’s strong local support to retain their 50 metre pool. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR of Cambridge Pool Fund- Cr Scaramuzza, 5370 intelligence. I have The original vote was unanimous back in 2007 (I raising Committee.