Following the Government’s announcement around changes to vaccine pass requirements coming into effect on Monday April 4, the Waikato District Council have lifted all vaccine pass requirements for entry at council-run facilities.
(Listen to the full interview below:)
“Council met to deliberate the changes after the announcement was made by the Government,” said Raglan Ward Councilor Lisa Thomson.
This means you will no longer require passes to enter:
- All libraries
- All offices
- Huntly Aquatic Centre
- Lake Hakanoa Motor Caravan Park
- Council Managed Community Halls in Tuakau and Ngaruawahia
- Raglan Museum
- Pukekohe and Ngaruawahia Dog Pounds
- Raglan Holiday Park Papahua
From the start of business on Monday morning, April 4, vaccine passes will not be required to enter the above council-run facilities. Community halls, which are run by volunteer committees, will make their own deliberations on vaccine pass requirements.
Mask requirements for indoor spaces will remain in place while the traffic light settings require them.
Community Covid Response
Waikato DHB have been continuing to run the RATs distribution centre at the Raglan Rugby Grounds every day of the week.
Lisa says the Whāingaroa Community Response Group has been approved as a ‘Community Connector’ and funding from the Ministry of Social Development means they can hopefully start distributing RATs to those that need testing as well.
A Whāingaroa Marae Collective has also been established, coordinated by Mike Edmonds and Kayla Lord from Poihakena Marae, to bring together the various marae trusts to coordinate a collective response. Lisa says she is impressed with the level of collaboration across organisations that has been happening throughout our response to the pandemic.
The Covid support 0800 RAGLAN number has been extended to cover whānau in Whatawhata as well. “We can network with whānau in Whatawhata to provide support to those that need it,” said Lisa.
An additional Case Navigator position has also been established where a part-time role will be created to provide further support to those in our community that need help with things like isolation support, RATs, kai drop offs and transport.
Civil Defense
Recent extreme flooding in Tairāwhiti has put the spotlight on civil defense, and locally here in Raglan, Lisa says that we are in a “pretty good place” thanks to the collaboration that has been happening throughout the Covid-19 response.
“I feel confident that we should be able to mobilise our community depending on the need.”
Lisa highlights that unlike Covid-19, we could have no power in a civil defense emergency so it’s important to consider issues like access to fresh water, number of generators in our community as well as our communication capacity to relay important information out to the community.
Lisa, along with Raglan Community Board Chair, Gabrielle Parson, will be drafting a civil defense plan to present to the Community Board in coming months.
Roading
Once council ratifies the Speed Limit Bylaw Review, the stretch of road starting from just prior to Hills Road heading towards the Main Rd will have its speed limit reduced to 60km/h.
There are currently no plans in place to change the speed limit for the area of road heading back towards Hamilton and encompassing the “hair-raising” Greenslade Rd intersection.
A spokesperson from Waka Kotahi said that while the speed review showed the community would like to see a speed reduction to improve safety around that intersection, the SH23, 31 & 39 West Waikato Speed review formal consultation needs to take place before any changes are considered. This consultation phase is planned for the coming months but no date has yet been set.
Waikato District Council have asked Waka Kotahi for a warning sign to be installed advising those approaching the corner of a hidden queue but Waka Kotahi have said that the 65km speed and ‘concealed’ sign are adequate.
Waka Kotahi visited the site and conducted a review in December 2020 which determined that the existing signs are appropriate and any additional signage will increase sign clutter and actually reduce the effectiveness of the signage.
There is also a culvert that needs replacement on the section of SH23 around Greenslade Rd with the funding round for that project not starting until 2025.
“The cost of a new culvert is significant and exceeds the funds Waka Kotahi currently has available for such work.
“Funding for projects is allocated every three years as part of our National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) process. The culvert replacement was not included in our 2021-24 NLTP but we will be requesting funding for the culvert in the next funding round.
“At this stage Waka Kotahi cannot give a clear indication of when the work can be undertaken and the balance of the revocation section complete.” a spokesperson from Waka Kotahi said.
- The Places For People feedback process saw overwhelming support for the parklets so they will remain in place
- Angle parking will be installed at the top end of Bow St.
- Plans for Raglan Bus on hold as more funding sought.
- Food Waste Consultation closes today at 5pm. https://shape.waikatodistrict.govt.nz/raglan-food-waste-2022