cityHAMILTONnews August 2016 PAGE 2 SAFE AND SOUND: Award for the People’s Project OPTIONS EXPLORED: The Council has asked staff to look at how Founders Theatre could be modified for an alternative use, or what it would cost to demolish the facility PAGE 3 Next step in Founders process FRESH AND FRUITY: Farmers Market moves to A Momentum Foundation offer to design and The foundation’s offer requires the Council to ‘done deal’. There’s a lot of discussion to take Claudelands build a new theatre will be further explored. contribute $30 million to a new facility. place yet. This is the first step.” The Council will progress discussions with “The Momentum Foundation proposal moves Because of the significance of a new theatre Momentum Foundation, which has signalled it the project forward significantly – both in project - if pursued - and the impact on the is keen to be the key partner in the development terms of opportunities and timeframe,” says Council’s existing financial plan, the Council of a new theatre for the city. Mr Murray. would need to undertake a special consultation process. Founders Theatre has been closed since March “It’s sent a clear signal to the community and due to safety concerns relating to its flying other stakeholders that we’re serious about Staff will be required to report back to the system. A subsequent independent engineer’s this and we want to examine how we can work new Council in February with a Heads of report also confirmed existing concerns over with other organisations to get a good outcome Agreement which will outline the terms under the theatre building’s performance in the event for the city, but at the same time be ‘eyes wide which staff and Momentum Foundation will of an earthquake. open’ to the cost implications. work together. H3 Executive Director Sean Murray says staff “The Council believes the community and H3 staff will bring a report to the Council’s will progress discussions with Momentum other regional stakeholders have a vital September meeting outlining options for Foundation around the opportunity to build a role to play.” the future of the existing Founders Theatre, new theatre. specifically on whether it can be modified The Council has committed $100,000 to for an alternative use, and what the costs During the recent submissions process creating a concept design, masterplan and related to a full demolition would be. relating to Founders Theatre, the Momentum business case for a new-build theatre. This PAGE 5 hamilton.govt.nz/founders Foundation said it believed it could raise $25 does not guarantee a new theatre, he says: ON THE BALL: Rugby league million toward a “new build” theatre. “It’s important people don’t perceive this as a set for the limelight 1 hamilton.govt.nz /hamiltoncitycouncil @CouncilHamilton citynews Safety plan an award-winner A multi-agency approach to address concerns It also contributed to a 32.5 per cent about behaviour in central Hamilton has reduction in reported crime in the central city. claimed a major local government sector award. The awards judges described the Central City Safety Plan as “a well-planned and The Council’s Central City Safety Plan executed initiative which has addressed won the Fulton Hogan Excellence Award a complex issue, affecting all large urban for Community Engagement at the Local centres, with positive results.” Government New Zealand Excellence Awards held in Dunedin recently. Deanne McManus-Emery, the Council’s The Council received Highly Commended Community Development and Leisure awards for two other projects: transforming Manager, says the award recognised extensive work and effort from the COLLABORATION THE KEY: Deanne McManus Emery, the Council’s Community Development and Leisure Manager, an old landfill site into the international and Julie Nelson, from the Wise Group and the People’s Project award-winning Hamilton Gardens, and Council staff and the organisations Executive and People’s Project lead Julie the general public. For the People’s Project, developing a floating pumping platform on involved. Nelson is delighted with the win. this award is a win for those people who no the Waikato River to maintain water supply longer live on the streets and who now have to the city when river levels are low. “I’m very proud of what has been achieved in addressing a challenging issue. We “This award is a credit to Hamilton City warm, safe homes.” For the safety plan, a two-pronged partnership worked closely with several organisations Council and its leadership. The approach approach was implemented to encourage to create and deliver this plan, so we’re taken and the significant transformation For more on the Central City Safety Plan, acceptable behaviour in our public spaces, sharing the kudos with them.” that we’ve seen in the central city is a win see page 7. for everyone who has been involved in and provide help to the homeless resulting hamilton.govt.nz/safetyplan in 211 people being housed and receiving Among the agencies the Council worked the Central City Safety Plan including the ongoing support. with was the Wise Group, and Joint Chief business sector, community agencies and Market makes move to Claudelands The Waikato Farmers Market is set to take up residence at Claudelands. Launched 10 years ago, the market has become increasingly popular. Jono Walker, Waikato Farmers Market Chairman, says organisers had been eyeing Claudelands as a preferred venue for some time. “We’d always wanted to go to Claudelands Artist’s impression – and we’re delighted that we can,” Mr ON TRACK: The Western Rail Trail contract has been awarded to HEB Construction Walker says. “It’s a covered venue, right in the middle of our customer pool.” Contract approved Stall holders have been very positive about the shift and are pleased to be closer to the central city: “Everyone’s delighted,” Mr for Western Rail Trail Walker says. SO FRESH: Fruit and vegetables are among the staple Another milestone has been reached for one some of the more than 1600 students who live offerings at the Waikato Farmers Market, which moves Mr Walker says the number of stall to Claudelands this month of the flagship projects of the 30-year within 500 metres of the route,” he says. holders fluctuates between 35 and 55, Hamilton Biking Plan, with the awarding depending on the time of year and the H3 Executive Director Sean Murray says the of the contract for the Western Rail Trail. The path includes signalised crossings as volume of product available. relocation of the market to Claudelands reflects it crosses four main roads - Killarney Rd - the multi-purpose nature of the facility. The 2.7km shared path will follow the Fraser St, Lake Rd and Seddon Rd – and For market organisers, a covered venue railway through Frankton and connect connects with the wider transport network and access to parking are key features “We’re really pleased to be hosting the Hamilton’s south-western suburbs to the via Islington St, Moana St and Hastings Pl. of the Claudelands site and are also likely Waikato Farmers Market at Claudelands. Our central city. Work should get underway to be an important factor for customers facility meets their needs and their theme - this month, with the path expected to be “With a rail history theme and signage – many of who purchase a considerable with the shelter and mature trees around the open in early 2017. exploring Frankton’s Maori heritage, amount of goods. The market’s vendors site – and their move to Claudelands is a vote landscaping, lighting along the trail and sell a range of items, seasonal vegetables of confidence in the versatility of the place.” “When the Western Rail Trail opens it will drinking fountains, rubbish bins, bike fix-it and fruit, meat, fish, milk, bread and be a great addition to our city’s biking stations, seating and tables, the Western pastries and ready-to-eat food products. The Waikato Farmers Market will be held network, and is one of the milestone projects Rail Trail will be a great new asset for the in The Barn at Claudelands, with the best of our Biking Plan,” says the Council’s community,” Mr Harrison says. Mr Walker says the shift to Claudelands entry for customers via Brooklyn Road. Transportation Unit Manager Jason Harrison. allows for an anticipated expansion of the The Council awarded the $4.2 million project The market is held every Sunday from 8am market. “We’d like to get up to about 70 to build the trail to HEB Construction. to noon. “We expect the trail to have around 300 users vendors at that site, with Waikato-grown a day, not just commuters and visitors, but also hamilton.govt.nz/bikingplan food.” waikatofarmersmarkets.co.nz 2 hamilton.govt.nz /hamiltoncitycouncil @CouncilHamilton citynews CONCEPT IMAGE FUTURE EXTENSION TO PEACOCKE→ ←WAIRERE DRIVE COBHAM DRIVE READY FOR GROWTH: Concept designs for the overbridge which will connect Wairere Dr and Cobham Dr, and will later connect to the Southern Links roading network via a new bridge over the Waikato River Hamilton’s growth fast- tracks new intersection The Council is bringing forward plans for a road “A few years ago it was decided to build a bridge over Cobham Drive which is also planned roundabout as an interim step - before the overbridge to serve as a key part of Southern Links, the future - to keep costs down. But with the rapid growth roading network to the south of the city. Hamilton is experiencing it makes sense now to consider the long-term solution,” Mr Allen says. The decision will lead to several outcomes: • The previously-planned roundabout connecting “Designations for the Southern Links project itself Wairere Drive and Cobham Drive will be replaced have been completed already, so Hamilton is in by the bridge an ideal position to work with the NZ Transport Agency and other partners as we provide for • A proposed separate cycle and pedestrian bridge further development and growth south of the city.” across Cobham Drive will not be needed • The new bridge will have walking and biking Council staff will now start initial planning, facilities investigation and concept design work for the new intersection in preparation for the 2018-28 • The bridge will provide an effective link between Wairere Drive and Cobham Drive 10-Year Plan.