Creating economic prosperity

Hutt City is going well and the recent rates struck by council are among the lowest around. We are not just into low rates, but getting real value for the money we receive from our ratepayers.

I move around the city and see many families struggling. The demand for basic necessities  and other essentials is high. My question always when considering the rates is : can our ratepayers afford it.

My council wants to increase economic prosperity. We seem to be going uphill against world news that economies are not looking very good, so where does the business come from.

Well its out there. A number of enterprises are looking to establish here in the Wellington region. We want them to come here to Lower Hutt and set up business.

We’re even going to help them through an economic stimulus package which eases the way through the consent processes and gets them started. That money, some $1.2 million, did not come from ratepayers, it was taken from our bottom line through savings made by council officers.

That shows to me that the council is unified in giving value to our ratepayers.

So I will keep you informed as the year goes on about how we are doing against our projections.

Lower Hutt is a friendly place

And just on business, there are lots of positive things happening in Hutt City. I have been visiting our success stories and it's been great meeting so many passionate local business people.

One thing that is common is the fact that business feels supported and the environment in Lower Hutt is good for families with easy access to a host of community facilities and natural outdoor amenities. There is also a natural friendliness here that makes it easy to integrate and get involved.

For business this is helpful because it means stability in the workforce which is good for productivity. This is particularly so given there are more than 800 businesses involved in science and innovation across Lower Hutt. They are attracting high value employees to work on often ground-breaking projects.

One company I visited was Asure Quality Laboratory, an organisation with a national and international customer base employing 450 people across a network of laboratories. This is a high value organisation making a significant contribution to our city and good on them for doing a great job!

Confidence in Lower Hutt is evidenced by recent investments including the new $20 million Dulux plant, the million dollar expansion by British Imperial, BK Motel chain's new Four Star flagship site in Petone, the half-a-million dollar upgrade of the  McDonalds franchise in Wainuiomata and a new Pita Pocket franchise which opened up in Queens Drive, Lower Hutt, this week. 

Sister City Tempe students in town for five weeks

Thirty years is a long time for a Sister City relationship with Tempe in Arizona. And one of the benefits is an annual exchange of students with four Tempe students currently visiting Lower Hutt. 

We have set up a busy programme for the students including a wide range of vocational activities and visits to local areas of interest including GNS , Hutt Valley DHB, and the local marae.

Civic Square nearing completion

The new Civic Square in front of The Dowse is really taking shape and should be complete within the next few weeks. The square will be a focal point for community events and concerts.  A new artesian well being sunk alongside the square struck water last week. 

Pure, untreated artesian water is currently available at the popular Petone Te PUna Wai Ora ( Spring of Life) in Buick Street. 

The artesian water originates from waters of the Hutt River which enter the artesian aquifier of sand, gravels and boulders confined with layers of silt and clay at Taita Gorge. 

The water is naturally filtered over several years before reaching Petone foreshore where it emerges under the sea floor of the Wellington Harbour. This underground pressurised water is a truly natural treasure. It will be a fantastic addition to the square and will attract many visitors.

New ideas sought from Bright Sparks

 

Council is supporting the Hutt City Environmental Sustainability Community Challenge called Bright Sparks. 

We are looking for bright people across the city to come up with ideas for improving the environment. The winning entries will receive a tailor-made prize which will include up to $2,500 in cash (donated by local law firm Thomas Dewar Sziranyi Letts), the services of up to 50 volunteers, $1,000 from Hutt City Council, design and prototype work provided by staff at the Weltec campus in Petone. 

That should attract the attention of the talented people living in our city. If yiou need further information contact For further information contact Sonja Cabrera, on 04 570 6847 or email sonja.cabrera@huttcity.govt.nz

Wide interest in Bring Your Heart Home promotion

I know many Hutt people are considering entering the Bring Your Heart Home joint competition. The first step is to collect an “I Love Hutt City” badge from the i-SITE or Hutt News and send it to a friend or family member overseas.

A photo of them wearing the badge can then be posted on the council’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/huttcitycouncil including a few words on why it would be great to visit the Hutt. The winner receives a single return airfare paid for by Hutt News from anywhere in the world to Lower Hutt to stay with a friend or family member in the Hutt. Let's all get behind this promotion and show our pride in our city.