Sunday 24 March 2013
McKenzie Pool construction work started
Reconstruction of Petone’s McKenzie Pool in Udy Street started this month.Members of the Petone Community Board and myself were there as the demolition machines bit into the old concrete structure to make way for a new pool complex. Petone residents have been waiting for this moment and I am very pleased the job has started and that completion is on track for November this year. The new McKenzie Pool complex will be a great community asset and the design will encourage families to make good use of the pools and additional splash pad and water play equipment.The two pools, a standard lane pool and a separate pool for learners and toddlers, will ensure everyone is catered for. The main contract for building work has gone to Hawkins Construction NI Ltd with filtration pipework and water play equipment being installed by Ian Coombes Ltd. The main pool will be assembled and installed in Petone by Jacobs Construction Ltd
Seeking second term as Mayor
The city has made a lot of progress during my first term and we have exciting plans for the future. I have decided I would like the opportunity to consolidate our gains and continue to nurture the growing business confidence in Lower Hutt as we emerge from a difficult financial period. I have decided to seek re-election. This year council will have one of the lowest average rate increases in the country for the third year running under my watch as Mayor. I have always been conscious of the need to constrain spending and keep our rates as low as possible while continuing to invest in our city infrastructure. During my first term as Mayor I have been well supported by Deputy Mayor David Bassett who has done a great job on behalf of the city. We work effectively as an executive team in getting things done for the benefit of the city. I have asked Cr Bassett to be my deputy for a second term and he has agreed. We are very fortunate to have a strong hard-working council who have put in a lot of hours on behalf of residents and ratepayers. One of my roles has been to encourage councillors to develop a collegial working relationship with each other while engaging in robust debate and doing the best for Lower Hutt. And I think they have done a great job. I will also continue to advocate for the voice of all Lower Hutt people to ensure they are heard. The local government reorganisation proposals for a super city being put forward by a working committee of the Greater Wellington Regional Council and supporting councils do not reflect the desire of our community which is to retain existing boundaries while seeking greater shared services. There has been a refusal to acknowledge the rights and will of our community which is not acceptable to me. I also promoted ground-breaking graffiti removal legislation in support of his election commitment to reduce graffiti in the city. I have also been the overseer of a significant efficiency review within the council which has seen major savings. Hutt City last year had one of the lowest average rate rises in New Zealand and is proposing an average rate rise of less than one per cent for the 2013-2014 year. I am confident we will hold rates to that level.
Other achievements by Mayor Ray Wallace during his current term of office include:
· Maintaining a council focus on improving infrastructure across the city with the completion of flood protection projects like Black Creek and on-going work on the Awamutu Stream
· Actively working to achieve a safe city through further installation of CCTV cameras across the city and supporting community patrols and neighbourhood support.
· Developing a strong linkage between the community and police leading to a dramatic reduction in crime across Hutt City
· Creating a clean city through a sustained graffiti removal campaign which included employment of a full-time graffiti removal coordinator and development of leading edge systems to remove and suppress graffiti
· Encouraging the democratic process by working with community boards and committees to ensure the views of residents and ratepayers are being heard. Successful representation included the decision by council to build a new McKenzie Pool complex at Petone
· Supported and promoted a city business stimulus package to kick start business enterprise and economic growth in the city. Multi-million projects are now being considered for Lower Hutt and new central city business development and liaison positions have been created.
· Advocated for retention of major science and technology institutions in Lower Hutt through personal representation to Ministers in Central Government. One significant success was the decision by government to retain the former Industrial Research Limited as one of three national Callaghan Innovation centres linking science and technology to new industry. Lower Hutt now has 800 organisations and businesses with links to science. Local business people were also assisted in getting TVNZ to support local retention of the Avalon television studios.
· Energy conservation through active support for the Mayoral solar challenge and installation of solar panels and other measures achieved a 30 per cent reduction in power consumption at The Dowse.
· Supporting improvements to parks and gardens across the city and personally undertook environmental conservation in his own home achieving a 70 per cent reduction in waste going to the landfill.
· Working to ensure the Taita community development project got under way providing a significant benefit to that community in the future and creating a regional sports facility for Lower Hutt.
· Personally standing up and facing difficult issues within society and being appointed an Ambassador against family violence and bullying. He also personally rode the late night buses to talk with young people reported to be causing trouble.
· Visiting schools and encouraging vocational training through city scholarships and job placement programmes and supported youth activities and encouraged young people to get involved in local government representation. Promoted sister city student and teacher exchanges with Tempe in Arizona and Minoh in Japan.
Old chimes ring out in Petone
The Petone Town Clock chimes in Jackson Street are now ringing out after being silent for many years. It was my pleasure to formally announce the chimes are back in action at an event involving the Petone Historical Society, Harbour Ward Councillors, Petone Community Board members, members of the JSP committee, Derek Bradley and Gary Nichols from UrbanPlus who arranged the repair, Hutt City’s General Manager Infrastructure Bruce Sherlock, Norman and Linda Wilkins who brought the issue of the clock to our attention and Brian Bennett who repaired the clock.The chimes first rung out 100 years ago. The pendulum clock used a weighting mechanism that kept time using a pendulum and was first of its type in New Zealand. The clock arrived in Petone in 1913 and was installed in its tower by Thomas Ballinger Inc who had premises in Victoria Street Petone. The then Mayoress McEwan, whose husband J T McEwan was Mayor of Petone from 1907 to 1927, officially started the clock with the sounding of the chimes on 7 July 1913. Over those many years since, the clock served the town well. The pendulum of the clock became less reliable as traffic increased along Jackson Street and an electronic master clock was installed to keep the clock on time.The chimes, however, were less appealing to local folk and they were silenced.Now, thanks to the intervention of our council-owned Urban Plus, funds were made available to repair and restore the chimes.Brian Bennett undertook the repairs and has done a very good job. Part of the repair work included limiting the time the chimes sounds to betweenbetween 8am and 7.45pm daily.
Bright future for Lower Hutt
Members of the newly formed Lower Hutt branch of the Human Resources Institute of New Zealand were told there is a bright future for the city when I addressed them at their first meeting held at the Mediterranean Warehouse. Our success has been in the area of science and technology with the decision by government one of three national centres for science and innovation will be based here in the Hutt Valley. This organisation, called Callaghan Innovation, is a cornerstone for business growth in our region. Already it has attracted many start-up innovative companies, which are making an impact on international markets. They are building our reputation as a centre of innovation and attracting bright young stars to our city. We as Hutt City Council have also put in place a business stimulus programme which makes it easier for companies to start-up in Lower Hutt. One of the first developments to receive Council’s development fee remissions is now complete and ready for its new tenants, Multispares to move in. Other organisations that have decided to build on their presence here include Dulux Paints which run their whole Australasian operation from here. Again this has secured employment for people living in Lower Hutt. The former Avalon Studios were to be closed. A local consortium has come along and bought the whole operation and is talking to a local film production company to play a key role in producing films and television series. In time, with the possible use of the facilities for film and television, there will be an opportunity for young people to learn specialist skills in that industry. Commercial developments are currently coming through the council for resource consent or are on the planning boards waiting for go ahead. Large national operators of retirement villages, Ryman and Somerset, plan to develop homes for older people in Petone and Boulcott. There is also commercial activity being proposed for Wainuiomata with a developer putting forward a proposal for a retirement village. The three retirement village developments together represents a $200 million investment across Lower Hutt with all the associated benefits of economic activity and local jobs. These are all indicators that the wheels of economic activity are starting to turn. We are also making good progress on our Making Places CBD Vision 2030. We are looking at increasing activity in the CBD and encouraging apartment conversions with some already under way. This will result in more people living centrally and generating more business activity. We have started to bring more people in to the CBD through a number of activities, among them the Margaret Street Market, and a new programme, About Space, which turns vacant shops into vibrant interactive centres. A new Central Business District WiFi hook up is also expected to start in the next two months. We anticipate this will encourage people into the central business district. Hutt City Council has just approved an annual plan which proposes an average rate rise of less than 1 per cent – and I am confident this will be one of the lowest in New Zealand. We have achieved a modest rate increase while continuing to improve our infrastructure and services to the community. We have also agree to consult with the community on a new urban growth strategy which aims to provide additional housing to cater for planned growth. So there is a lot happening and they are all strategies to develop Lower Hutt as a vibrant economic employment hub. I told the branch they have chosen the right time to set up here in Lower Hutt.
Proposed Hutt City Rates to average less than 1 per cent.
Hutt City Council is proposing an average annual rate rise of less than one per cent in its annual plan for 2013-2014. Councillors have proposed increasing rates revenue by an average of 0.9 per cent reflecting the strong financial management of the Hutt City Council’s finances. I am confident our plan will deliver the lowest rates rises in New Zealand and still provide capacity to maintain momentum through ongoing investment in our infrastructure and new projects that will benefit the city. The annual plan consultation round will also include a review of the city’s urban growth strategy. Growth introduced through a new urban strategy will create opportunities for the city to flourish by providing space for additional housing to cater for an expanding population. We also plan to consult on proposed funding to support science and technology in Lower Hutt as we continue to promote business growth and create employment opportunities. Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee, David Bassett, is also pleased with the budget for the year ahead. He says the low rate rise will help residents who are facing tough times while maintaining the pace of development for the city. This means essential services will continue to be upgraded and maintained while meeting the needs of the community. The plan also keeps the council on track to reduce its total debt to $45 million by 2015.
Steam on new track
The 50-year-old Hutt Valley Model Engineering Society has spent the past two years rebuilding the raised rail tracks for their steam engines on the Petone Esplanade. This involved a lot of voluntary effort and the trains are now running on their new track. I would like to acknowledge the work of Patron Ian Welch, President Claude Poulson, Project Manager Ross Johnston, and members of the Society who made the new track possible. Hutt City Council staff also supported the project. Two years ago the thought of replacing the raised track seemed a good idea and, after many months of hard work, we have the reality. The reason for replacing the track in the first place was gradually shifting sands from the Petone foreshore slowly, but surely, burying the old track. The good news is that the work to stabilise the Petone foreshore, much of it undertaken by volunteers, is paying dividends as all the planting begins to take hold and keep a firm grip on the moving sand. This should mean it will be many years before you need to repeat the task of replacing the track volunteers keep our community alive and well. A shared interest in all things engineering, and in particular, model steam trains, provides an opportunity for society members to run their models and, on the journey, provide delight for children and families. Regular events held at the foreshore draw large numbers of people who enjoy the steam engines and their capacity to fascinate young and old. The presence of the club at its current site, I am sure, will continue for many years to come.
Tuesday 12 March 2013
Sailability at Lowry Bay Yacht Club popular
Murals help keep graffiti at bay
Students from the Learning Connexion decided they could help reduce graffiti in the city by producing murals which would cover the main tagging areas. They chose the Melling skate Park. In the words of tutor,Kerrie Burke, this was going to be a big job.
Translating the enthusiasm and passion of young people into coordinated action requires a special spark.The murals started with a visit to the Learning Connexion by council community grants officer Debbie Hunter. She talked about funding and one student Bernard Ngatai put up his hand and told the class, “ I would like to do a mural Miss.” Kerrie had been talking with the graffiti eradication team and knew a perfect spot for just such a mural.
The funding came from the council’s Creative Development Fund with support form council’s Parks and Reserves team who provided the plywood.
And then it was up to the students , Daniel Maxwell, Bernard Ngatai, Shayn Beavis and Chad Briggs to get together and develop designs for the submission to the Arts Advisory Group.
That was a big thing in itself. The boys had to learn how to sell a vision. Clarence Collier, an artist in his own right and a member of the arts policy group, visited the boys and offered his wisdom on what was achievable.
The boys were very impressed and, according to Kerrie, the experience made them see there is a place for young artists within the community.
The team worked through the Christmas period painting and sealing 12 sheets of plywood before applying their designs to the boards. It was an amazing effort for the delivery of high quality murals. I would like to congratulate everyone associated with this project.
We are determined to bring graffiti under control in our city and projects like these murals can help in that process.
'Act now' call on assessing Jackson Street heritage buildings
Owners of earthquake – prone buildings in the Jackson Street Heritage Precinct are being advised to act now to assess structural weaknesses in their buildings. That was my message at a recent meeting hosted by the Jackson Street Programme (JSP), Petone Historical Society, Historic Places Trust, NZ Society of Earthquake Engineers and Hutt City Council.
I released a joint statement along with JSP chair, Leonie Dobbs, saying the message from the meeting was very clear.
The Christchurch earthquake is making a tremendous draw on resources including engineers – property owners need to act now to determine structural weaknesses and come up with options and a work plan.
There has also been some concern among building owners and businesses in Jackson Street that earthquake strengthening will require significant investment. This could affect the viability of smaller businesses faced with higher rents.
The key focus of the meeting was to provide information and those who attended went away a lot wiser and able to manage the task ahead of them.
We see this as a first step in sharing information between heritage precinct property owners, businesses, and the Council in resolving the strengthening issues.
Hutt City Council already offers a facilitation service where owners of a block of buildings can get together to negotiate a group solution. The city council also offers financial support.
The meeting was defiitely a very good start.
Presenters at the meeting included Win Clark, Executive Officer New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering, Simone Naylor, Corporate Executive Director, Aon New Zealand, and Ann Neil, Central Region Manager, New Zealand Historic Places Trust.
BACKGROUND NOTES COVERING WHAT THE PRESENTERS SAID:
Win Clark, Executive Officer, NZ Society for Earthquake Engineering (NZSEE) gave an enlightening presentation on strengthening earthquake-prone masonry buildings. He began with analyses of damage sustained by masonry buildings in the Christchurch earthquakes. This work has enabled engineers to identify key structural difficulties and suggest remedies which can be undertaken. In some cases new technologies may allow this strengthening work to be achieved at a much lower cost than commonly assumed.
The presentation covered types of masonry and their relative strengths, and typical collapses in the Christchurch and L'Aquila (Italy 2009) quakes. Mr Clark pointed to six key areas for assessment: the boundary wall, parapets, piers between windows, front façade, canopy, and shop-front windows. He gave an example of at least one type of strengthening method, e.g. 'tried and true' technologies such as tying façades to internal floor joists. The audience was fascinated to see some of the new technologies which have been developed, such as a carbon strip which can be set into a vertical channel carved into an interior wall. He noted that while the material was expensive, the process was relatively simple and quick.
A panel of experts comprising representatives of the NZ Historic Places Trust (NZHPT), AON New Zealand, NZSEE, and Hutt City Council then took questions. Ann Neill, Central Regional Manager, NZHPT, emphasised the importance of hiring an Engineer who has experience working with Heritage buildings. She pointed out that not only do they need a specific expertise in Heritage Buildings, but also in the requirements of District Planning, Resource Consents, etc, which apply. The Trust provides advisory services for owners, such as access to architects, once a strengthening scheme had been developed.
Simone Naylor, Corporate Executive Officer, AON Insurance, confirmed that there is increasing use of financial incentives, such as decreased premiums, for buildings which have been strengthened. Ms Naylor stated that AON remained committed to providing insurance cover across the country.
Mr Clark emphasised that the owners need to act now: identify if their building is earthquake-prone, determine what the critical structural weaknesses are by working with one or more engineers, design and document the solution to improve the carrying capacity, cost the scheme, develop a program of work which is affordable – a staged works program is acceptable. He also pointed out that an owner who acts now will have first call on the expert resources which will be in high demand over the next few years.
Hutt City Council Divisional Manager Environmental, Consents Helen Oram said the council operates a facilitation service where owners of a block of buildings can get together to negotiate a group solution. She also said that council provides financial assistance.
A helping hand for WelTec student
Sean Ryan, 18, an ex-Wainuiomata High School student, recently received a Hutt City Council Scholarship for excellence in study during his last year with Wellington Trades Academy at the Wellington Institute of Technology.
This is an example of assisting our young people gain the skills through courses that will lead to real jobs.
Watching our water use
Now is the time to reduce the use of water across the city.
The Hutt River is critically low with an increase in the draw off to supply water to the Wellington region.
Two-thirds of the water suply for Wellington city, Porirua and Hutt Valley comes from the Hutt, Wainuiomata and Orongorongo rivers.
Hutt City has reduced its water use and is currently watering only specimen trees that have been stressed by the hot,dry weather.
There is a ban on sprinklers and there are lots of other things our Hutt residents can do including
We will continue to monitor water levels and keep the public informed about water levels and the degree of conservation required.
The Hutt River is critically low with an increase in the draw off to supply water to the Wellington region.
Two-thirds of the water suply for Wellington city, Porirua and Hutt Valley comes from the Hutt, Wainuiomata and Orongorongo rivers.
Hutt City has reduced its water use and is currently watering only specimen trees that have been stressed by the hot,dry weather.
There is a ban on sprinklers and there are lots of other things our Hutt residents can do including
- Mulch your garden to keep in moisture
- Fix dripping taps and leaking toilets
- Use a bucket of soapy water and a brush to clean your car
- Sweep hard surfaces rather than hosing them down
- Take shorter showers
- Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth
We will continue to monitor water levels and keep the public informed about water levels and the degree of conservation required.
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