Petition heard, depot stays - for now

A Leamington works depot that's been the subject of a 50-signature petition to Waipā District Council will stay open - at least for now.

Today’s Service Delivery Committee meeting considered a petition from Arnold Street residents asking Council to close the works depot, concerned about heavy truck movements through the neighbourhood.

The depot is in a former landfill site, just outside the town belt, and has been used to store council roading materials for more than 50 years.

Council acknowledged the residents’ concerns but decided against closing the depot immediately. A report from the council’s transportation team found closing it now would mean a cost of around $80,000 a year to store materials elsewhere.

Arnold Street is currently the only secure roading materials storage site near Cambridge. Having materials stored nearby also makes road sealing faster and cheaper - this saving allows the council to continue to invest in the network, which benefits the whole district.

Instead, Council resolved to look for a better long-term option as part of the 2027-37 Long Term Plan process, such as developing part of the former wastewater treatment plant land in Matos Segedin Drive.

Councillor Aidhean Camson, who chaired today’s meeting, said the decision balanced the concerns of Arnold Street residents with the need to spend ratepayers' money wisely.

"We hear what residents are saying and we take it seriously. But closing the depot right now would cost ratepayers significantly more with no guarantee of a better outcome. Giving ourselves time to find the right alternative site is the responsible call."

Staff were asked to work with the residents who raised the petition on possible alternative short-term solutions, while also working with Council’s roading contractors on remedies to minimise impacts pending a long-term option.