FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2020
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Your Local Independent Papers
Park plan sparks debate By Jeremy Smith
A concept plan for Te Awamutu’s 65-year-old War Memorial Park has sparked public debate before the Waipā District Council has looked at it. The debate follows the tabling of the plan at last month’s meeting of the Te Awamutu Community Board, which favoured putting it out for public comment. The plan suggests replacing the Te Awamutu and District War Memorial Park archway in favour of a new entrance and erecting a memorial feature in place of the existing peace fountain. Other suggestions
include reinstating the three Mangaohoi Stream bridges, moving the amphitheatre and creating an educational and reflective gathering place. The draft plan will go to Council’s Strategic Policy and Planning Committee on May 5 with a recommendation it be put out for public consultation. When the Te Awamutu Region Community Grapevine Facebook page posted parts of the plan last week the majority of the almost 100 reactions and responses favoured the status quo. Marc Dawson, likely to give council one of its largest individual submissions against the proposed upgrade, told the
News the report’s suggestions were an erosion of the original vision of the near 7ha park. He believed the park needed repairs and maintenance, not an entirely new concept. Mr Dawson, who has lived in Te Awamutu all his life called the proposal a “cv-building exercise which over-looked the heritage of the park”. “It doesn’t need a new concept - its concept is that the park in its entirety is a war memorial. We have to remember our heritage and our history.” Te Awamutu Community board chair Ange Holt said nothing project-wise was a given yet.
The board had voted in favour of the document being put up for public comment – it had not voted on whether or not it supported the concept. “As a board, we are here to listen to the voice of the community. “When the draft plan does go out for public consultation, as a board we will look to ensure that not only will the public’s voice be heard and listened to, but that people know how to use the proper channels to make that voice heard.” She believed it was possible to upgrade the park while upholding and respecting its history. Te Awamutu RSA president and district councillor Lou Brown sympathised with Mr Dawson’s concerns and agreed it was important to honour the park’s heritage and history. But he was also open to change. “Memorial Park is a key location where we commemorate Anzac Day in town every year and of course we will always value it. “It’s vitally important, but I am also mindful that as a society in general we need to grow, develop and progress.” Waipā District Council senior reserves planner Anna McElrea said having a Memorial Park concept plan provided an opportunity for council to hear how the community wanted to see the park developed. “We are really looking forward to receiving feedback and understanding people’s aspirations and preferences, prior to finalising the plan,” she Photo supplied said.
The Te Awamutu and District War Memorial Park gateway.
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APRIL 24, 2020
We’ll still remember them… Ahead of New Zealand’s “most unique” Anzac Day in more than a century tomorrow, Te Awamutu RSA president Lou Brown has a message. “No question, it’s unprecedented, but commemoration and remembrance are very personal things people can still do in their own individual ways in their spaces and bubbles.” Formal April 25 Anzac Day events are cancelled, and Poppy Day postponed - both for the first time in New Zealand – because of Covid-19. Usual Te Awamutu Anzac Day commemorations include the dawn service at War Memorial Park and a civic service at Anzac Green. Wreaths are normally laid at those services – and still can be this year, albeit slightly differently. “People wanting to lay a wreath can visit the Cenotaph in their bubbles and smaller groups to pay their respects over the next week or so, just not all at once,” Mr Brown said. Tomorrow, the New Zealand flag will be flown in Memorial Park, Anzac Green, the RSA cemetery and at Kihikihi Memorial. People can ‘Stand at Dawn’ in their driveways or elsewhere in their bubble for a moment’s silence at 6am. Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the landing of the ANZACs - Australian and New Zealand soldiers - at Gallipoli in 1915 during WWI. Thousands lost their lives, including 8500 Australians and 2779 New Zealanders. Mr Brown said Anzac Day was a tangible way to honour the memory of all service people lost in wars. “We shall remember them,” he said.