In brief: Live ammunition and helium tank in recycling, lane closure for road works
Monday, 23 September 2024
Ammunition in recycling
A shotgun cartridge and a helium tank have been found in Waipā District Council’s recycling.
This is blatant laziness that puts lives at risk, the council’s group manager for service delivery Dawn Inglis says.
The items were collected from Cambridge properties and spotted at the Te Awamutu sorting centre.
It’s the second time in recent months that live ammunition has been discarded in a recycling bin.
“Recycling is sorted by hand, by real people,” Inglis said. “When they come to work, they don’t expect to be in danger from recycling.”
The helium tank and the cartridge had been tipped into a collection truck, compressed by the truck compactor, dropped onto the shed floor, and then scooped up by the loader and tipped into the hopper before they were noticed.
“The ammunition made it to the sorting belt, and fortunately, the tank was identified and removed before it got to the sorting line.”
“These items pose a serious hazard, particularly the helium tank, which was clearly labelled on both the box and the tank. There is no excuse, just irresponsible behaviour,” Inglis said.
A household hazardous waste collection event will be held in Cambridge on 13 October. Registrations are essential and can be made online at bit.ly/myhazwaste or by calling 0508 CHEMICAL (0508 243 642).
Drunkenness and disorder
Thirty people were arrested in Hamilton CBD on Saturday, with behaviour that police said “crossed the line”.
Officers witnessed “high levels of intoxication, obstruction and general disorder”, a police statement said, and made far more arrests than on a standard Saturday.
Three people were arrested for assault, 11 for disorderly behaviour, five for obstruction and four had warrants to arrest and were actively being sought by police.
Five people physically obstructed police staff while officers were in the process of arresting others, and were themselves arrested.
“It was a particularly busy night in the CBD with several events being held at different premises,” the statement said.
“Our staff were present in the central city from 8pm and further staff were called in to support them due to the amount of disorder taking place.”
Ten liquor ban infringements were issued to people for drinking in a public place.
Senior police staff also checked 10 licensed premises to ensure they were complying with the liquor licensing rules.
Most of the people arrested were bailed to appear in court at a later date, however those with warrants to arrest were to appear before the courts on Monday.
Lane closure
Southbound traffic is being switched onto the new Piarere roundabout, but there will be a lane closure while it happens.
The southbound lane at the SH1/29 intersection will be closed on Tuesday from approximately 4.45am until early evening impacting Hamilton to Tīrau traffic, NZ Transport Agency said.
About 4.30am, traffic will need to be fully stopped for 10-20 minutes in all directions to establish the new layout.
Motorists will be required to detour via SH29, SH27 to SH1, adding around 12 minutes to journey times.
Northbound traffic will not be impacted, and access will remain for residents, school buses and emergency services. Traffic on SH29 and traffic on SH1 between Piarere and Cambridge will also not be affected.
Once the temporary tie-in is completed, the SH1 southbound lane is expected to re-open early evening on 24 September.
The new layout will see SH1 southbound traffic use the roundabout to turn onto the temporary road to carry on their journey south.
Environmental grants
Twelve environmental projects have won funding from Waikato Regional Council.
The council has granted $372,873.18 through the Environmental Initiatives Fund (EIF) to the projects after receiving 38 applications requesting a total of $1.19 million.
Biodiversity team leader Natasha Grainger said an increase in the natural heritage targeted rate from 2024/25 has allowed the council to deliver more money to projects via the EIF.
“In comparison, $250,899 was funded in the 2023/24 financial year.”
Some of the successful recipients were, Ngāti Hinerangi under Manaaki Kaimai Trust hub umbrella in the Matamata-Piako district to fund field labour for pest animal control and monitoring to restore the western side of the Kaimai-Mamaku ranges. They receive $40,000 over two years.
The New Zealand National Fieldays Society in Waipā gets $40,000 for a year to go towards developing and implementing an environmental education programme in collaboration with local schools, iwi and the community.
Other recipients are Mokaihaha Kōkako Trust, Kakepuku Mountain Conservation Society, Habitat Tuateawa Incorporated, The Colville Project Trust, Kapowai Kiwi Group Incorporated, Rings Beach Wetland Group Incorporated, Te Taiao o Kāwhia Moana Incorporated, Te Moata Charitable Trust, Ka Pihi Ka Pua Charitable Trust.