ETA project team reunite

A very special group joined Mayor, Rick Cooper and previous Mayors, Joan Williamson-Orr and Clayton Stent down at the Ora Garden earlier this week to celebrate the history and the commencement of the East Taupo Arterial.

The event was held to acknowledge the significant contributions made by members of the Taupo community over many years and to help identify everyone that should be thanked for their input.

CEO Rob Williams said the informal gathering was held because our current Council wanted to acknowledge everyone’s efforts over the past 30 years. “This iconic roading project is now becoming a reality because of this group’s persistence and determination to see the arterial go ahead.”

Mayor Rick Cooper asked the group to fill out a register and to let Council staff know if anyone else who made a contribution to the project should be included. “We don’t want to miss anyone out,” said the Mayor. “We want to make sure we are celebrating with everyone who has been a part of this significant project.” The Mayor then went on to acknowledge Councillor Andrew Welch’s significant contribution to the project over the past 30 years he has been a Councillor.

Initial discussions on the potential for a Taupo bypass were being had as far back as 1960. The project really starting gaining some momentum in 1986 when an action group called the ‘Foundation 21 Trust’ was formed, led by William Hindemarsh. Now, in 2008, physical works are about to commence with the construction team, Fulton Hogan, starting the earthworks next month.

The 16km highway, which runs along the eastern outskirts of Taupo (from Wairakei to Taupo Airport) and includes a bridge over the Waikato River, is expected to take up to three years to complete.

Regular project updates will be provided to the community and billboards will be updated regularly as the highway progresses.