727 days ago

New Pedestrian and Cycling Bridge over river

The Team from Momentum Waikato

The Government announcement below for new infrastructure funding is great news for the Hamilton CBD, congratulations to the Hamilton City Council.

It is particularly pleasing that this intensification funding means the Pedestrian and Cycling Bridge across the river will get built.

We played a key role in getting the bridge project to this point, something we haven't previously promoted publicly.

In 2020 Momentum Waikato partnered with Rotary Clubs of Hamilton, led in this by Don Law and John Gallagher, to commission and then work with Beca to produce the Concept Development Report required to get the bridge formally into the Hamilton City Council Long-Term Plan.

The project team engaged with Te Haa o te Whenua o Kirikiriroa, Bike Waikato, Living Streets Hamilton, Te Awa The Great NZ River Ride, Waikato Regional Council and various HCC folks to identify the best location for the new span - from the north side of the Waikato Museum | Te Whare Taonga o Waikato to the south end of Memorial Park - and the immediate factors to consider in the various engineering options.

That report was gratefully received by the Mayor and Councillors and development of the bridge project was subsequently budgeted into the Long-Term Plan.

We then stepped away, having completed our part. The proposal always required central government funding of some kind, the HCC itself subsequently added the bridge to its application to central government for funding for intensification infrastructure. The Rotary Clubs of Hamilton intend to fundraise for the added cost of making sure the bridge is designed to be a spectacular icon for Kirikiriroa-Hamilton.

This is an example of Momentum Waikato fulfilling its role as a community leadership foundation, using the flexibility of our mission and credibility of our purpose and track record to light the spark needed to make things happen.

We connect and convene in the community, sometimes funding key process steps not covered by others' remits, bridging the gap between the state and business to create 'three P' partnerships - Public-Private-Philanthropic. Always apolitical and non-partisan, because we are working for everyone.

Hope to see you on the new bridge the day it opens.

For a Better Waikato, for everyone, forever.

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More messages from your neighbours
40 minutes ago

What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.

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21 hours ago

Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.

This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.

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Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
  • 85.1% Yes
    85.1% Complete
  • 13.4% No
    13.4% Complete
  • 1.5% Other - I'll share below
    1.5% Complete
611 votes
9 hours ago

Got a Minute? Prove You’re the Smartest Neighbour!

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

What is it that when given one, you’ll have either two or none?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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