Community interest and enthusiasm for the city’s newest neighbourhood saw close to 1000 people visit a southeast Hamilton and Peacocke information expo on Wednesday 3 April.

The ‘Your Neighbourhood’ event, one of a series of Hamilton City Council interactive open days, was held at Te Waananga o Aotearoa in Glenview and the turnout delighted Council’s Peacocke Programme Manager Karen Saunders.

“Our planning for Peacocke is enabling a new community which 9000 new Hamiltonians will call home in the next 10 years,” Karen says.

“This is more than just infrastructure, this is about new homes and families. We’re planning for all the things that are important to new and current residents – managing traffic, looking after the environment, providing the water and wastewater supplies and making sure we retain our green spaces and play areas for families.”

Those key outcomes were echoed in visitor views through the afternoon and evening, with Sophie Tuhura, a Glenview resident of 10 years, describing the city’s growth as ‘mindblowing.’

“I love Glenview because it has everything here, and also the peace and quiet. I came along to see what progress is being made and it’s mind-blowing how this area has changed since its humble beginnings,” Sophie said.

“Today is absolutely marvellous and we should have more of these sessions so the community can come and get informed and get the right information.”

Around 50 staff and representatives from many different areas of the Council and partner agencies were on hand through the event to answer questions and provide information on topics as diverse as the new bridge over the Waikato River, new and improved roading networks, bus services, walking and cycling connections, education, parks, waters services, elections, civil defence and projects to look after the area’s critically endangered long-tail bats.

“Peacocke is about people, not just plans. Being able to share the enthusiasm for this project with families and individuals who will be part of it was incredibly valuable,” Karen Saunders says.

“I’d like to thank all those who joined us yesterday and we’re already looking forward to the next one towards the end of the year.”

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