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.
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