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.

Sean demonstrated the motivation and commitment to achieve his goals and that was a key factor in his success.  The award will  be used to study for the Certificate in Carpentry Level 3 at WelTec in 2013. Sean hopes it will lead to him finding work in Christchurch.

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

• 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

It is all a mattrer of being conscious of the need to conserve water to ensure there is ample for essential use.

We will continue to monitor water levels and keep the public informed about water levels and the degree of conservation required.

Mayor receives assurances from Housing NZ

Assurances that work will start in March on upgrading vacant  properties that have been boarded up in Lower Hutt has been given to me by Housing New Zealand.

I sought a meeting with Housing New Zealand officers to represent the views of residents and neighbours of the vacant houses who were deeply concerned.

One city street has 23 vacant houses and neighbours, who are also fearful of vandals, consider them an eyesore.

Housing New Zealand has lodged applications for building consents to carry out maintenance and upgrading of at least 13 buildings to get things under way.

They have also cut overgrown grass and removed rubbish and increased security.  I am hoping this will soothe the anxiety expressed by neighbours

This is a positive response – it shows Housing New Zealand is listening to the affected neighbours in addressing these issues,” he says.

Housing New Zealand has undertaken to meet with myself and council officers on a regular basis to monitor progress on managing the maintenance and upgrades of the existing properties

Housing New Zealand has a large portfolio of residential properties and we will also work with them on a long term strategy for the future of affordable housing in the city as part of our urban growth strategy for Lower Hutt.

I have also informed the Minister of Housing, the Hon Phil Heatley, of our meeting and my intention to protect the interests of our residents.

Volunteers core of the community

Volunteers form the core of the community and the Petone Community Board has done a good job in selecting 35 individuals from local sports and community groups to be acknowledged as volunteers of the year.

Among them is the outstanding contribution of Bernie Fraser of the Randwick Archery Club together with Vic Mawson and Des Tarring of the Koizumo Kwai Judo Club.

Each person has given more than 50 years to their respective organisations. Bernie Fraser, 74, is Patron of the New Zealand Archery Association and continues to take an active role in coaching. Des is 87 years old and president of his club and Vic, 92, is a founding member.

They are truly inspirational. Petone Community Board member Tui Lewis coordinated the awards and has done a good job.

City starts New Year in strong position

Your Hutt City Council is starting 2013 in a very strong position.

My goals as Mayor for the year include:

·         Keeping Hutt City Council debt under control

·         Focusing on ensuring the average rates for the year are kept as low as possible

·         Maintaining the programme of investment in infrastructure for the city, and

·         Listening to the needs of the community particularly in regard to proposals for changes to local government governance.

On a personal level, I will continue to work hard for ratepayers and residents in Lower Hutt. And, later in the year, I will be encouraging residents to vote in the October local government elections.

I will also be seeking to develop a better work-life balance.