Roading, Growth and Council Spending Dominate August TCC Meeting Minutes
Growing traffic pressure, the stalled Southern Links project, development around Tamahere and questions over Council spending dominated discussion at the August meeting of the Tamahere Community Committee (Download Minutes Below)
Southern Links delay sharpens traffic concerns
Roading was again front and centre, with confirmation that Southern Links has stalled because construction funding is not currently available. NZTA has around $100 million allocated to planning and design, with that work nearly complete, but there is no indication when construction will begin.
Of particular concern is SH21/Airport Road and the Narrows Bridge. The committee heard traffic and heavy vehicle movements are already significantly above NZTA projections and increasing as Airport Road increasingly carries traffic between SH1 and SH3. TCC Chair Charles Fletcher will seek a follow-up meeting with NZTA.
Meanwhile, the Tamahere Drive upgrade presented at the Community Open Day has been approved, with construction scheduled for February 2027.
Development pressure comes under scrutiny
The proposed sand quarry at 1466 Cambridge Road, just over the Waipā boundary, raised concerns about groundwater demand and additional traffic through the already busy Cambridge Road–Hooker Road intersection. TCC wants Waikato and Waipā councils working together on the potential impacts.
Major earthworks on Tamahere Drive south of Day Road were also questioned following the removal of a strawberry crop and topsoil for a proposed large commercial building. TCC is seeking information about the development's compatibility with the area's rural zoning and the loss of productive land. The committee has also asked Council for regular information on new consents, particularly non-notified applications.
$162,000 toilet block raises eyebrows
The cost of the new Tamahere Park toilet block attracted considerable discussion. Council has awarded a contract for $162,000 plus GST, with another $20,000 contingency, while local Matangi builder Les Port told the meeting he would put a ballpark figure of $80,000–$120,000 plus GST on the project based on the brief.
While acknowledging Council staff had worked to bring the tender price down, TCC remains concerned about procurement costs. Cr Mike Keir advised that Council's wider procurement process is under review.
Playground safety and Tamahere Reserve
TCC also renewed concerns about stainless-steel slides at Tamahere Village playground becoming dangerously hot during summer. The committee believes Council needs to address the issue and wants playground shade considered more widely through future Council planning.
Progress continues on the Tamahere Reserve Concept Plan, but access and the future of ageing and potentially dangerous pine trees remain unresolved. Council is working with NZTA on possible access improvements around Woodcock and Tauwhare Roads, with design options expected back before TCC later this year.
Planning for Tamahere's future
Work also continues on Vision Tamahere 2075, incorporating feedback gathered at the Community Open Day. TCC intends to have community priorities ready to feed into Waikato District Council's 2027 Long Term Plan review by the end of October.
Taken together, the meeting highlighted a recurring challenge for Tamahere: growth and development are continuing, while the roads and community infrastructure needed to support that growth are struggling to keep pace.
The next TCC meeting is Tuesday 1 September at 7.30pm.
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