We Say/You Say: Electric Scooters
Hi Hamilton,
Should electric scooters stay or go?
Electric scooters are set to stay on Hamilton Streets with pedestrian and user safety remaining a concern.
Hamilton City Council's Infrastructure Operations Committee approved the extension to operate indefinitely and has opened up a previously exclusive contract to other operators.
Councillor Sarah Thomson said she had heard from the disabled community and older residents that sharing the footpath with scooter riders could be a terrifying experience, and she had recently experienced a close call herself with a scooter rider.
"I was coming around a corner, I was pushing [my son] Leo in a pram and I nearly collided with someone riding a scooter. Leo, who is 10-and-a-half months old, would have been the first one hit."
The committee has attempted to address these concerns, with three-monthly reports needing to be submitted to ensure companies and scooter riders are adhering to regulations. Public liability insurance worth $2 million will also be required from each operator.
Share your thoughts below and don't forget to type NFP if you don't want your comments used in the Hamilton Press.
Poll: Is the increase in disability parking fines fair?
In October, the fine for parking in a designated mobility car park without a permit has jumped from $150 to $750—a 400% increase!
The goal is to keep these spaces open for those who truly need them. Do you think this big increase in the fine is fair? Share your thoughts below.
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89.1% Yes, it's fair
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10.3% No, it's unreasonable
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0.7% Other - I'll share below
Are you following the water charge discussions at Hamilton City Council?
Hamilton city councillors have taken tangible steps towards a new water regime that will see a charge based on their property’s capital valuation in their rates bill for the first time next year.
The council voted unanimously on Thursday on a series of direction-setting decisions in relation to the 2024-2034 Long-Term Plan Amendments.
Poll: What do you think about our city producing school lunches for NZ?
One hundred new jobs will be created in Hamilton as the city becomes the lunchbox of the nation.
All frozen school lunches from Kaitaia to Bluff will be made in Pukete in a purpose built plant operated by The School Lunch Collective.
What do you think about our city producing school lunches for NZ? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
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64% I support it
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16% I don't support it
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20% I'm not really bothered