Sue Edmonds has organised a public meeting for Friday Night at the Eureka Hall. All Welcome.

The proposed Waikato District Council Ward boundaries make quite a difference to the current situation in which the Eureka and Tamahere Wards represent this corner of the District. The proposed plan joins the local communities/wards to larger areas in which it may be harder to get local issues addressed.

Here is Sue’s explanation of her concerns and the basis for some discussion and response to the proposed plan:

“RESHAPING WAIKATO DISTRICT                             by Sue Edmonds

I am not aware of how many Eurekans now receive Waikato District News on line.

In the last issue (22 July) there was an article entitled Council Adopts Initial Proposal of the Representation Review for Public Consultation.  If you didn’t receive it, go to https://shape.waikatodistrict.govt.nz/reshape-waikato.

As the long time Chair of the Eureka Community Planning Committee I was appalled to read that the Eureka Ward is being dropped, and the so-called ‘rural’ area will become part of an enormous Waerenga-Hukanui General Ward, which stretches from the Thames Coast with us as the most southern part.

While it is proposed that this ward will have two Councillors, those selected will either spend a lot of time driving about, or Eurekans will find that when problems arise locally, it will be much more difficult to get one of them to come and provide an authoritative view.  We have been fortunate in our present Councillor Rob McGuire, who willingly attends trouble spots and attends our various meetings.

Eureka has already had to fight the Council for access to more local facilities (Hamilton) for public library membership.  And the southern regions have worked well together in running the Heritage Committee for Tamahere, Tauwhare, Matangi, Eureka and Gordonton.  These areas would now be split into two districts with much less in common.

I recommend you study the maps provided with the District News Article and on the website.  It is proposed to create a Tamahere/Newcastle General Ward which will stretch in a horseshoe shape around the northern boundary of Hamilton, with the Council assuming that people in those areas will use Hamilton facilities.  However, Eurekans are regarded as ‘rural’, despite being closer to Hamilton than Ngaruawahia.

Yes, there is now a Council office in Tamahere, but our representation won’t be there.

If, when you have studied the maps and article, you feel that people in Eureka should get together to discuss the proposal please come to the meeting.  I have booked the Hall for a 7pm meeting on Friday 6 August.  I would also be happy to then write a submission to the Council which reflects a multiple viewpoint.

We haven’t got much time (the submissions close on 20 August), so please either email me about coming to the meeting (email:  sueedmonds424@gmail.com) or telephone me (824 1944).

Even if, at this point, you have no strong feelings about the Council proposal, please come to the meeting and find out more about the implications on the way you interact with WDC and our closer surrounding areas.

Sue Edmonds”

Whether you take this opportunity to listen to the views of others who attend, arrange your own meeting or just want to have your say please note that submissions will close on Friday August 20.

https://shape.waikatodistrict.govt.nz/reshape-waikato