COVID-19: Public services

Lawrence Gullery Reporter from Cambridge Edition

Waipa District Council has issued a number of important press releases over the past week. Here are some key points you should take note of:

1. The move to alert level 4 means the council has put on hold all major projects, including work on the Cambridge Pool, Te Awamutu Water Supply, Waikeria Wastewater Pipeline, the new roundabout on Hanlin Rd outside St Peter’s and the velodrome.

2. The council has set up an executive committee to make decisions on its behalf during the level 4 period. The committee will have the power to make decisions on most governing matters.

3. Essential services such as recycling, road safety, water, customer support and animal control will continue to operate throughout the four-week shutdown.

Key services include:
* Customer support via telephone and online.
* Essential water services such as repairs to waste water connections and major water leaks.
* Parks services such as treescaping and line clearance when urgently required.
* Cemetery duties.
* Road safety, essential repairs to roading where necessary and monitoring of high-risk roads.
* Recycling.
* Urgent animal control work where there is a risk to the public and continued operation of the pounds.
* Urgent building compliance work where there is a risk to public safety.

4. The water alert level has been eased for Te Awamutu, Pirongia, Ohaupo and rural surrounds. It has been downgraded to level two, allowing outdoor watering for the first time since 12 February. Cambridge and Kihikihi water levels have now been lifted and residents can continue with their regular use as normal.

5. Citizenship ceremonies have been cancelled. Internal Affairs has agreed to waive the requirement for new citizens to attend citizenship ceremonies. Internal Affairs will now issue citizenship certificates to all applicants who have been approved for a grant of citizenship.

Please visit the council’s website for more details: www.waipadc.govt.nz...