New Pedestrian and Cycling Bridge over river
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.
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
-
64% Yes
-
33.7% No
-
2.3% Other - I'll share below
What would you do if it was your job to fix Hamilton's CBD?
More alcohol restrictions, more lighting, busking rule changes and a whole lot of lobbying - these are some ways Hamilton leaders want to sort out the CBD.
Crime and anti-social behaviour in the area has been in the spotlight after recent news of a man defecating in the street near a city pub and another who flipped tables out the back of a bar after being found scrounging cigarette butts and asked to leave.
What would you do if it was your job to fix Hamilton's CBD? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
Become an SPCA Foster Hero!
Kitten season has arrived, and over the next six months, over 8,000 cats and kittens will come into SPCA’s care. Please help us give these babies the best start in life and sign up to be a foster parent today! It's not just cats and kittens - we are also urgently seeking foster homes for dogs and small animals.
Fostering saves lives and helps these tiny babies grow into healthy, well-adjusted adults, ready for adoption. We cover all training and costs. All you need is time and love to spare!
Sign up today and save a life!