Latest news with #SouthWaikatoDistrictCouncil
NZ Herald
02-07-2025
- NZ Herald
Blue Spring Te Waihou Walkway fully reopens after $2.1m upgrade
South Waikato District Council re-opened the full Blue Spring Te Waihou Walkway track on June 27. Photo / South Waikato District Council The popular Blue Spring Te Waihou Walkway has fully reopened to the public. The walking track near Putāruru closed in 2023 after a rockfall and slip, and partially reopened in December last year, with visitors accessing it from the Leslie Rd end. The track was closed from the Whites
Scoop
27-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
Council Completes Extensive Blue Spring / Te Waihou Walkway Project
An extensive upgrade project at the Blue Spring / Te Waihou Walkway – which has seen three years of work achieved in one – has been completed by the South Waikato District Council, allowing for the re-opening of the entire length of the track at the Blue Spring in Putāruru. Council had initially budgeted $2.1 million for the track renewal, spread across the first three years of the Long Term Plan 2024-2034, but pushed the work forward to avoid further track closures in the immediate future. Alongside critical work to secure rockfall at the site, which triggered its closure almost two years ago, the project included strengthening boardwalks and diverting the walking track away from unstable cliffs. The car park at the Leslie Road end has also been upgraded to triple its previous capacity, a key measure to increasing safety at that entry point of the track. The 4.7km-long walkway can now once again be accessed from two ends – Leslie Road and Whites Road. South Waikato District Council Executive Manager of Delivery, Nick Murphy, celebrated what is a wonderful outcome for members of the District and the tens of thousands of domestic and international tourists who visit the walkway. 'This work has not only addressed safety and access issues, but also improved several areas of the track,' Murphy said. 'There were also major end-of-life assets that had to be renewed or replaced.' 'We have now caught up on the outstanding maintenance of many years and, barring unforeseen natural events, the walkway shouldn't need shutting again for the foreseeable future.' Following a re-opening ceremony and karakia by South Waikato mana whenua Raukawa on 27 June, Murphy acknowledged the cultural significance of the site. 'Te Waihou is a special place for mana whenua. We want to thank them and the wider community for their patience and support over the last two years.'
Scoop
25-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
South Waikato District Confirms Participation In Waikato Water Done Well
The South Waikato District Council has today approved to become a founding shareholder of Waikato Water Done Well. Waikato Water Done Well will be a Council-Controlled Organisation (CCO) jointly owned with six other local councils and will deliver drinking water and wastewater services in accordance with the Government's Local Water Done Well reform. Council will retain the management of stormwater activity and continue to deliver stormwater services. Following the full Council meeting on 25 June, South Waikato Mayor Gary Petley acknowledged the magnitude of the decision. 'This is one of the biggest decisions local councils across the motu have been asked to make for some time, and the amount of work that has gone into it reflects that,' Petley said. He also acknowledged there were a range of passionate viewpoints on the issue. Council was presented with the 54 submissions that were made as part of the consultation process. "Some of them raised valid concerns about the plan but could not directly address the criteria which our Water Services Delivery Plan must meet for approval,' Petley said. 'As a Council it's our job to make decisions in the best interests of the 25,000-plus who call the South Waikato home, and from the comprehensive work undertaken on this topic, it's clear that joining Waikato Water Done Well was the right option for us,' he said. All Councils participating in the establishment of Waikato Water Done Well will gain from the CCO. Some small Councils will gain the benefit of greater cashflow and the ability to attract and retain in-house expertise as well as savings from having a larger footprint in the market. Councils will also have greater borrowing capacity to fund new infrastructure. Participating councils will transfer their assets to the new entity and will have control of all the assets through the Shareholders' Agreement. Under the Government's Local Water Done Well reform, all Councils across New Zealand are required to submit an approved plan to the Department of Internal Affairs by 3 September 2025. Notes: The seven councils that signed the heads of agreement to set up Waikato Water Done Well in December 2024 are South Waikato District Council, Hauraki District Council, Matamata-Piako District Council, Ōtorohanga District Council, Taupō District Council, Waipā District Council and Waitomo District Council. Most shareholding Councils will have made a decision by the end of the week. Taupō District Council will be going with an in-house service delivery model and will revisit their decision to become part of the WWDW family for services in two years' time. Waikato Water Done Well was identified as the South Waikato District Council's preferred option on March 26 this year. Consultation with the community was conducted between 14 April to 12 May. There were 54 submissions in total – 53 online and one paper submission. Of these, seven were in favour of Council's preferred option and 46 opposed, with one submission unclear. Once all councils ratify the Shareholders Agreement, the CCO will be established and the transfer of assets will commence. The transfer of our assets is expected to be completed by 1 July 2026. This is also the date the CCO is expected to start providing services to the first three shareholder councils.
NZ Herald
14-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
South Waikato's largest new residential development ready for 200-home second stage
Last week, the South Waikato District Council announced the project's $120m second stage would consist of 200 senior living homes. South Waikato District Mayor Gary Petley said Overdale Estate was an opportunity for South Waikato to 'stand out' as a long-term option for retirees. 'We're excited to work alongside developers to support high-quality, affordable retirement living that brings people to our district.' According to a council statement, the retirement homes would include a mix of lifestyle and retirement villas, alongside onsite care services. 'The development is designed to adopt multi-generational living, with families able to remain in one neighbourhood from first home through to retirement,' the council said. Overdale Estate's development is being overseen by Ultimate Global Group, a New Zealand-based international conglomerate specialising in the development of sites in New Zealand and Asia. Ultimate Global Group chief operating officer Lloyd Cloughley said the retirement stage of the development would inject $120m into the local economy through construction and services. 'Once complete, ongoing contributions from residents, employees and visitors will provide even greater benefit for the region,' Cloughley said. 'We're proud to be delivering more than just homes, we're building a community that meets the needs of retirees and drives long-term economic growth for South Waikato.' Overdale Estate's first stage was originally scheduled to deliver 22 homes. When ground broke on construction, seven of the houses had already been purchased by families and investors. At the time, Cloughley said an Overdale Estate 'entry-level house', built to stand alone on a 600 square-metre section was priced at $715,000.
