Eastern & Central Community Trust (ECCT) makes funding donations to community organisations in Poverty Bay, Hawke’s Bay, Tararua, Wairarapa, Manawatu & Horowhenua.
Manawatu
Street trials expand for motorbike vacuum cleaner combo
A donation from the Eastern and Central Community Trust is helping Palmerston North’s Green Bike Trust take its unique street vacuum cleaner further afield for street trials.
A $5,000 donation is paying for a new motorbike which attaches to a specially designed vacuum cleaner for sweeping up glass chards from parks, footpaths, cycle lanes, streets and from awkward crevices not easily reached by traditional street cleaners.
The system, designed by a Massey University engineering student who is also a member of Palmerston North’s Green Bike Trust, is fast and effective. It can vacuum up all types of glass, from the smallest chards through to a whole glass bottle.
“It’s fast, mobile and can access places, such as the sharp angle between a wall and the pavement,” says Bike Trust Project Manager Yvonne Marsh.
“The bike moves along at normal motorcycle speed, with the operator easily able to spot pieces of glass for vacuuming. Cyclists are always complaining of punctures and this machine can clean up cycle ways very quickly,” she says.
A month-long trial has already cleaned up Palmerston North streets, although Ms Marsh says it is already time to repeat the process. Other councils from throughout New Zealand are showing interest and a 12-week trial is about to start in another North Island city, which she can’t identify until final details are confirmed.
“This is an exciting project as shattered glass is a significant hazard throughout most cities, even in residential areas,” says community trust Donations Manager Bev Watkins.
Children at College Street Normal School in Palmerston North can soon look forward to having proper seats in their new hall.
The community trust is donating $25,000 to help with the fit out of the school’s new hall and auditorium, likely to cost a total of $38,000. The seating will be portable so that the area can be transformed for different uses.
The school has a roll of approximately 600, with students from 42 different migrant groups. The old hall has been converted to classrooms. Further fundraising is planned so the project can be completed.
Another educational group being assisted by the community trust is the Milson Playcentre, which operates from an old hall that has been used as a playcentre for more than 40 years. The hall is no longer suitable as the roof leaks, it is cold and not conducive to fun time for children.
The $10,000 donation will provide a base for other funding applications being prepared by the playcentre.
A total of $120,000 is being donated to Manawatu organisations this month from the community trust.