Elected members and staff of Hamilton City Council are shocked at the news of former councillor Grant Thorburn's untimely death and pass on their deep felt condolences to his family and close friends. Mayor David Braithwaite says Council will observe a minute's silence in honour of Grant at the full Council meeting Wednesday 17 September. "In just his first term as a councillor (1998-2001) Gra... more...

Completed results from this year's Annual Residents Survey show the overall level of satisfaction with Council's facilities and services has remained stable. Council chief executive Tony Marryatt says this year's customer satisfaction index (CSI) rating of 58.3 is a solid result and mirrors last year's of 59.6. "Residents have responded positively overall in this year's survey, with the ... more...

Rohan Weallans' work titled To the Moon and Back was tonight announced as the winner of this year's Trust Waikato National Annual Art Award at the Waikato Museum of Art and History. Award judge Tobias Berger, director of Auckland's Artspace, says the decision in the end was the natural one for him. "I think it is the absolutely best piece in the exhibition and we can be very proud to hav... more...

Transatlantic rowing legend Rob Hamill is being offered as a prize by Keep Hamilton Beautiful (KHB) to raise awareness of rubbish in the river and Clean Up Hamilton. Council's KHB co-ordinator Liz Hallsworth says spectators at the Boathouse 8s Great Race will have the chance to guess the weight of a pile of rubbish dragged from the river bottom to win breakfast with Rob. "KHB is seeking ... more...

The Ruakiwi reservoir will be taken out of service for about a month from Monday, 1 September for scheduled maintenance. The reservoir will be emptied for general maintenance, inspection of the internal lining, minor repair work carried out and consideration of installing a low level access hatch to facilitate future access with reduced health and safety risks. Water and wastewater plant... more...

Hamilton Zoo's latest attractions, three African hunting dogs, will face the public for the first time later this week provided the weather is suitable. Administration manager Jill Prew says the dogs have been in quarantine since arriving in mid July and a cold, wet and windy weather would not be a welcome first day outside. "These dogs have travelled from South Africa and are at present... more...

Waikato Museum's latest exhibition on innovations in agriculture was opened today by the Honourable Jim Anderton, Economic Development Minister. Museum director Kate Vusoniwailala says it has been a long journey to bring the exhibition to life, but very rewarding. "It is fantastic to see the show in place, and the feedback we are getting is extremely positive. Having the Honourable Jim A... more...

Hamilton City Council is seeking 15 candidates to make up the next Hamilton Youth Council. Youth liaison advisor Pippa Gower says she is looking for a diverse range of young people who want to be a voice for youth within Hamilton City Council and the wider Hamilton community. "Youth Council will plan and carry out projects for youth in the areas of recreation, entertainment, arts and cul... more...

Disco Pigs by Irish playwright Enda Walsh will be in Hamilton for a short season at The Meteor in September. Hamilton Theatre Services has secured the Court Theatre production of the play which has been described as 'something dreamed up by Quentin Tarantino and written by James Joyce on acid'. The play was the winner of both the Dublin Theatre and Edinburgh festivals', best theatre awards alo... more...

Today Council resolved to support the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's (MAF) goals to ensure the removal of asian gypsy moth in the Hamilton and surrounding export regions. MAF has recommended using aerial spraying to kill off the pest incursion. Should the spraying go ahead the resolution asks that MAF make every effort to keep Hamilton residents informed of the eradication programme... more...

Bursary art students have an opportunity to review some of last year's best art portfolios in an exhibition at the Waikato Museum from 25-29 August. Education services team leader Kirsty Glengarry says Top Art is a roadshow exhibition of 2002 bursary art students' folios that achieved 90 or more. "It's a great opportunity for current bursary art students and their teachers to have a look... more...

Hamilton City Council is continuing to issue a record number of Land Information Memorandums (LIMs) on properties in the city. A LIM contains all the information held by Council on a property and is generally sought by people when considering buying a property. Last month, Council issued 192 LIMs, a record high for any month at Hamilton City Council. Already August appears likely to exce... more...

A drive to make improvements at Waterworld before summer has already received praise from visitors, and swimming facilities manager Jason Rogers says there is more to come yet. "Women's changing facilities have undergone a dramatic refit with new flooring, change cubicles, toilets, showers and seating. We are getting great feedback from the refit. "Another hit with visitors is the improv... more...

A special meeting of Hamilton City Council is being held at 1pm this Friday [15 August] at which health advisors and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) officials will attend to answer questions on proposed aerial spraying to combat Asian gypsy moth. Councillors want assurances that the spraying is absolutely necessary and if it is to be carried out then residents will not be harmed.... more...

Waikato Museum's latest exhibition at Exscite is the first to operate under a new charging policy adopted by Council in July.Libraries and museum unit manager Geoff Williams says the changes are a result of Exscite becoming another museum exhibition space, rather than a separate centre. "Council has effectively brought fees and charges for the Exscite exhibition space in line with the rest of ... more...

Hamilton City Council has increased its sponsorship of the Gallagher Boathouse 8s to become the event's second tier sponsor and secure presentation rights. Presentation rights give the city extra profile through television, including live coverage for the Great Race, and advertising space. Economic development committee chair Ewan Wilson says the sponsorship sub-committee saw the opportu... more...

Hamilton City Council has approved a rates remission policy that makes it easier for people on low incomes to qualify for financial help with their rates. The policy approved by Council at last night's meeting lowers the income threshold at which rates rebates begin. An example of how the policy works, is that a single person on Government superannuation of approximately $14,700 per yea... more...

Waikato Museum and Ballance Agri-Nutrients have entered a partnership, which will see Ballance become naming rights sponsor for the exhibition currently being developed on agricultural innovations in the Waikato. Museum director Kate Vusoniwailala says she is delighted with the support from Ballance along with secondary sponsor Superair. "Both companies have recognised the value of an ... more...

Hamilton Mayor David Braithwaite is asking for the public's help to identify people who deserve one of the city's highest honours. Nominations are now open for the 2003 Civic Awards, which reward significant community achievement in six different categories: People and Well-being, Art and Culture, Education, Environment, Enterprise, and Sport. Hamilton City Council's civic event co-ordin... more...

EftPos has been installed in all branches of Hamilton City Libraries only a month after Council gave approval to offer the service. Libraries director Faye Clark says she is pleased to be able to offer EftPos. "It is always good to offer new services of value to our customers. EftPos has been requested in the past and we have seen it as an inevitable move, and one to take when it was dee... more...

The Theatre of London is touring New Zealand and Australia with its Academy ? talented 18-21-year-old drama school and university students and working actors from across the British Isles. The troop is being brought to the city by Hamilton Theatre Services. The Academy will present a double bill of works, directed by playwright, bookwright and director Michael Fitzmaurice at the WestpacTrust T... more...

An invitation is being extended to the community to help plant out the city to Frankton Railwalk on Saturday, 9 August. Council environmental projects officer Liz Hallsworth says she hopes to finish the planting out this section of the project. "Greening the railwalk has been an ongoing project for Keep Hamilton Beautiful and it is exciting to see it taking shape. We had 25 people turn o... more...