Latest news with #PamelaStorey
Scoop
02-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Waikato To Forge Ahead Despite Regional Deals Knockback
The Waikato will forge ahead with work to drive economic growth and housing in the region, despite missing out on funding and resources through the Government's regional deals scheme. The Government has announced memoranda of understanding have been signed with Auckland, Western Bay of Plenty and Otago Central Lakes regions. 'While it's disappointing the Waikato region has not received central government support for its Regional Deals proposal, it will not stop the work going ahead. It was already planned; collaboration with central government would have enabled it to happen quicker,' said Waikato Mayoral Forum Chair and Hauraki District Mayor, Toby Adams. 'Furthermore, we are immensely supportive of those who've been told they'll be receiving a regional deal, in particular Auckland and Western Bay of Plenty. With the Waikato region positioned in the heart of the golden triangle and central North Island, what's good for them is good for us,' he said. 'We remain interested in continuing discussions with central government and are optimistic that our proposal – demonstrating a cohesive and aligned package of investment in the region's economic growth – will be considered favourably for a future regional deal.' Waikato Regional Council Chair Pamela Storey agreed, saying the region's leaders would work together to maintain a strong and open relationship with the Government. 'As a region we have been able to present a united voice to central government and demonstrate that we are a powerhouse in Aotearoa New Zealand. 'Our communities should not lose heart. Regional Deals was one avenue available to us, but there are others and we will continue to advocate for collaboration with central government on behalf of the Waikato region,' she said. The Waikato region proposal lodged in February was developed by Waikato Regional Council under guidance from a Chief Executive Working Group and on behalf of the Waikato Mayoral Forum. The forum comprises the mayors and chair of the city, district and regional councils in the Waikato. The existing and planned projects in the proposal will bring a range of benefits for the Waikato region, such as well functioning urban developments, significant job growth and housing supply, improved resilience on key transport corridors, more resilient communities, efficient freight networks, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved tourist experiences, increased electricity generation, economic diversification and certainty of water supply. Key projects include, but are not limited to: network improvements to support the Roads of National Significance (RONS), including Hamilton Southern Links, Cambridge to Piarere expressway extension, and SH29 Tauriko West project support for the golden triangle road and rail investment programme delivery of the Future Proof priority development areas package, with a suite of initiatives including the Huntly wastewater plant, Ruakura, north Waipā/southern Hamilton, Hamilton central city,) support for our growing rural centres programme, for example in Paeroa, Putāruru, Thames-Coromandel, Matamata construction of resilient transport corridors for our rural communities through the Thames-Coromandel Resilience Programme, on SH3 to Taranaki and SH1 Taupō to Desert Road infrastructure that supports tourism destinations investment in our region's solar, wind and bioenergy water security. Regional Deals is the Government's initiative for establishing long-term agreements between central and local government. The programme unlocks funding and resource opportunities to support councils to make improvements in their region, for example to roads, infrastructure and the supply of quality housing.
Scoop
30-05-2025
- Scoop
Critical Step Taken Towards A Sunday Service For Te Huia
Press Release – Waikato Regional Council A critical step towards a return Sunday Te Huia service has been taken, with Waikato Regional Council today approving the reallocation of reserve funds to cover the cost. Customer satisfaction surveys since the Waikato to Auckland passenger rail service started in 2021 have consistency indicated demand for a Sunday return service. However, it had not previously been possible due to engineering works across the Auckland network and budget. While some weekend works connected with the City Rail Link project will continue into 2026, as well as scheduled track maintenance, Waikato regional councillors heard at their 29 May meeting that a Sunday service time slot had been requested. Formal approval had since been received from the Auckland Timetable Committee, which comprises representatives of Auckland One Rail, KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Waikato Regional Council. However, a decision is still to be made by KiwiRail's National Timetable Committee. Until this final tick of approval is received, a date for the start of the Sunday service cannot be set, councillors heard. However, timings have been considered if the service goes ahead, with Te Huia departing from Frankton approximately 3pm and from The Strand approximately 6pm on Sundays. 'Te Huia started as a commuter service but has evolved to enable more people to enjoy leisure and tourism activities in both Waikato and Auckland. A Sunday service would not only be a gamechanger for Te Huia, but for both regions too,' said Waikato Regional Council Chair, Pamela Storey. 'We are committed to giving this service every chance of success beyond the end of the trial, because we know there are many workers and tertiary students who have come to rely on it, as well as people visiting whānau and friends.' Councillor Angela Strange, deputy chair of the Future Proof Public Transport Subcommittee, said: 'Ever since the inception of Te Huia, Sunday services are what our public and community have been calling for.' She said the subcommittee has unanimously supported Sunday services. The $456,000 service cost is expected to be offset by fare revenue of almost $100,000, with the balance of the operating costs to come from the existing Te Huia budget reserve. The reserve was accumulated due to the delayed launch of the passenger rail service and other factors, including COVID-19 lockdowns and driver shortages. In a unanimous vote, councillors approved the reallocation of reserve funds. 'Using the reserves will have no rating impact and will provide certainty for planning. The introduction of a Sunday service is also a necessary stepping stone to improved services and demonstrating the value of Te Huia to central government,' Cr Storey said. A regional council submission on the Auckland Council's annual plan for $223,000 co-funding of the service appears to have not been supported, a staff report said. 'We will continue to pursue a contribution from Auckland Council in support of the service, because there is the potential for significant economic benefits for both regions,' she said.
Scoop
29-05-2025
- Scoop
Critical Step Taken Towards A Sunday Service For Te Huia
Press Release – Waikato Regional Council Te Huia started as a commuter service but has evolved to enable more people to enjoy leisure and tourism activities in both Waikato and Auckland. A critical step towards a return Sunday Te Huia service has been taken, with Waikato Regional Council today approving the reallocation of reserve funds to cover the cost. Customer satisfaction surveys since the Waikato to Auckland passenger rail service started in 2021 have consistency indicated demand for a Sunday return service. However, it had not previously been possible due to engineering works across the Auckland network and budget. While some weekend works connected with the City Rail Link project will continue into 2026, as well as scheduled track maintenance, Waikato regional councillors heard at their 29 May meeting that a Sunday service time slot had been requested. Formal approval had since been received from the Auckland Timetable Committee, which comprises representatives of Auckland One Rail, KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Waikato Regional Council. However, a decision is still to be made by KiwiRail's National Timetable Committee. Until this final tick of approval is received, a date for the start of the Sunday service cannot be set, councillors heard. However, timings have been considered if the service goes ahead, with Te Huia departing from Frankton approximately 3pm and from The Strand approximately 6pm on Sundays. 'Te Huia started as a commuter service but has evolved to enable more people to enjoy leisure and tourism activities in both Waikato and Auckland. A Sunday service would not only be a gamechanger for Te Huia, but for both regions too,' said Waikato Regional Council Chair, Pamela Storey. 'We are committed to giving this service every chance of success beyond the end of the trial, because we know there are many workers and tertiary students who have come to rely on it, as well as people visiting whānau and friends.' Councillor Angela Strange, deputy chair of the Future Proof Public Transport Subcommittee, said: 'Ever since the inception of Te Huia, Sunday services are what our public and community have been calling for.' She said the subcommittee has unanimously supported Sunday services. The $456,000 service cost is expected to be offset by fare revenue of almost $100,000, with the balance of the operating costs to come from the existing Te Huia budget reserve. The reserve was accumulated due to the delayed launch of the passenger rail service and other factors, including COVID-19 lockdowns and driver shortages. In a unanimous vote, councillors approved the reallocation of reserve funds. 'Using the reserves will have no rating impact and will provide certainty for planning. The introduction of a Sunday service is also a necessary stepping stone to improved services and demonstrating the value of Te Huia to central government,' Cr Storey said. A regional council submission on the Auckland Council's annual plan for $223,000 co-funding of the service appears to have not been supported, a staff report said. 'We will continue to pursue a contribution from Auckland Council in support of the service, because there is the potential for significant economic benefits for both regions,' she said.
Scoop
29-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Critical Step Taken Towards A Sunday Service For Te Huia
A critical step towards a return Sunday Te Huia service has been taken, with Waikato Regional Council today approving the reallocation of reserve funds to cover the cost. Customer satisfaction surveys since the Waikato to Auckland passenger rail service started in 2021 have consistency indicated demand for a Sunday return service. However, it had not previously been possible due to engineering works across the Auckland network and budget. While some weekend works connected with the City Rail Link project will continue into 2026, as well as scheduled track maintenance, Waikato regional councillors heard at their 29 May meeting that a Sunday service time slot had been requested. Formal approval had since been received from the Auckland Timetable Committee, which comprises representatives of Auckland One Rail, KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Waikato Regional Council. However, a decision is still to be made by KiwiRail's National Timetable Committee. Until this final tick of approval is received, a date for the start of the Sunday service cannot be set, councillors heard. However, timings have been considered if the service goes ahead, with Te Huia departing from Frankton approximately 3pm and from The Strand approximately 6pm on Sundays. 'Te Huia started as a commuter service but has evolved to enable more people to enjoy leisure and tourism activities in both Waikato and Auckland. A Sunday service would not only be a gamechanger for Te Huia, but for both regions too,' said Waikato Regional Council Chair, Pamela Storey. 'We are committed to giving this service every chance of success beyond the end of the trial, because we know there are many workers and tertiary students who have come to rely on it, as well as people visiting whānau and friends.' Councillor Angela Strange, deputy chair of the Future Proof Public Transport Subcommittee, said: 'Ever since the inception of Te Huia, Sunday services are what our public and community have been calling for.' She said the subcommittee has unanimously supported Sunday services. The $456,000 service cost is expected to be offset by fare revenue of almost $100,000, with the balance of the operating costs to come from the existing Te Huia budget reserve. The reserve was accumulated due to the delayed launch of the passenger rail service and other factors, including COVID-19 lockdowns and driver shortages. In a unanimous vote, councillors approved the reallocation of reserve funds. 'Using the reserves will have no rating impact and will provide certainty for planning. The introduction of a Sunday service is also a necessary stepping stone to improved services and demonstrating the value of Te Huia to central government,' Cr Storey said. A regional council submission on the Auckland Council's annual plan for $223,000 co-funding of the service appears to have not been supported, a staff report said. 'We will continue to pursue a contribution from Auckland Council in support of the service, because there is the potential for significant economic benefits for both regions,' she said.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Scoop
Meteor's Milestone Million
Friday, 23 May 2025, 11:02 am Press Release: Waikato Regional Council L-R: WRC Chair Pamela Storey, Manager Transport Policy and Programmes Bryan Sherritt, Cr Jennifer Nickle, Cr Angela Strange, Hamilton City Deputy Mayor Angela O'Leary and WRC Director of Regional Transport Connections Phil King (Photo/Supplied) Hamilton's Meteor bus service is celebrating a major milestone after completing its one millionth passenger trip in the first week of this month. Launched in September 2023, the Meteor is Hamilton's third high-frequency service and now the second most popular bus service in the Waikato after the Orbiter. The high-frequency service replaced the regular-frequency Silverdale (2) and Frankton (8) buses, which were carrying a combined weekly average of 5159 passengers at the time. The Meteor continues to outperform the old services, averaging 12,144 passengers each week. Waikato Regional Councillor and Deputy Chair of the Future Proof Public Transport Subcommittee Angela Strange says the 135 per cent increase demonstrates demand for more frequent buses or more express routes across the city. 'The numbers confirm what people have been telling us: they will take the bus when it operates frequently enough. We hope more people will see our public transport system as a convenient transport option.' The Meteor runs approximately every 15 minutes in both directions from 7am to 6pm on weekdays, and every 20 to 30 minutes at all other times. Recent service improvements include two extra stops in Hillcrest and additional bus stop infrastructure in the Baverstock Road area. To celebrate the one millionth passenger trip, BUSIT is running the Meteor 1 Million promotion from Friday 23 to Thursday 29, May 2025 on Instagram. Passengers can enter by taking a selfie on the Meteor and posting it as an Instagram story with @busitwaikato tagged in the post. Three pairs of Sony noise-cancelling headphones are up for grabs and passengers can enter as many times as they like with bonus entries for using the hashtag #1Million Note: Averages taken from the Silverdale (2) and Frankton (8) services' final 12 months (September 2022 to August 2023) and the Meteor's most recent 12 months (May 2024 to April 2025). © Scoop Media
