Centre for Civil Defence response in northern Waikato
Northern Waikato now has an emergency centre to help with wellbeing during the coronavirus pandemic.
Hamilton City Council and Waikato District Council joined forces to operate a North Waikato Combined Emergency Operations Centre.
Staffers are already helping with community welfare needs, identifying at-risk people, and working with government agencies and local support agencies, a statement said.
"The creation of these combined centres is one way we can fine-tune our response to ensure that most resources can be directed to those who are vulnerable and in need, as efficiently as possible," said Merv Balloch, one of four shift controllers.
"Between the two councils we are sharing operations, logistics, communication, intelligence and planning functions, as well as setting up separate welfare teams for each Council area ... There's a lot to be done, but the combined approach is another step on the way to getting through this difficult time."
Say goodbye to tyre waste
About 40% of the 6.5 million tyres Kiwis use every year are recycled, repurposed, or used as tyre-derived fuel. But the rest end up in landfills, stockpiled or dumped.
The good news is now there’s an easy solution to all that tyre waste. It’s called Tyrewise and is New Zealand’s first national tyre recycling scheme.
Tyrewise ensures that tyres in Aotearoa New Zealand are recycled or repurposed properly, saving millions from going to the landfill.
Find out more about the scheme online.
Poll: Does the building consent process need to change?
We definitely need homes that are fit to live in but there are often frustrations when it comes to getting consent to modify your own home.
Do you think changes need made to the current process for building consent? Share your thoughts below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
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91.8% Yes
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7.8% No
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0.5% Other - I'll share below!
What's your favourite piece of Waikato history?
Car parks inspired a milking shed design that took off around the world and became a piece of Waikato District history.
A hundred-year-old church and gravestones from the 1880s will also feature as the district turns the spotlight on its past for its first Heritage Day on April 20.