After the Kaiwaka Footbridge plan was dropped from Council’s Long Term Plan, I saw an opportunity to lobby the Minister for Regional Economic Development, Shane Jones, on the importance of the footbridges for the safety of the Kaiwaka community.

I supported the Council to apply for provincial growth funding for this project to meet a very short Cabinet approval deadline. Secured $750,000 provincial growth funding from the Government to ensure this project could finally come to fruition.

The bridges are now completed which is a big win for our local community.

The bridges are just the start. In conjunction with Kaiwaka Can (residents association) I am pushing to further develop walking and cycling linkages to enhance the amenity and recreational opportunities for the local area.