The Civic Awards are the highest honours this council bestows on its citizens and this year we acknowledged three people: Susan Hare for her contribution over many years to Hutt Valley Netball, and Roy and Sue Cox, who together have served the valley for more than 40 years.
It was a great privilege to present these awards to such deserving residents who gave their time for the benefit of others within the community.
Volunteers play a major role in sustaining our community in Lower Hutt.
The Civic Awards are an opportunity to demonstrate our appreciation for all those people who work without reward in support of others.
Emerging youth were also honoured with this year’s Youth Services Awards going to Kirsten Garcia and Metaio Malama.
Ignite Sport, a youth development organisation based in Lower Hutt, received top honours in the 2013 Hutt City Community Awards.
The Supreme Award is given once a year to an organisation that shines in the community. Ignite Sport were recognised for their work delivering programmes to gifted and talented sportspeople in low decile schools who are at risk of leaving school.
Safe City Awards were also made to those who worked to keep our city safe and provide support to those in need.
The full list of winners are:
2013 CIVIC AWARDS
Community Service
Roy Cox
Sue Cox
Community Service and Recreation Award
Susan Hare
Youth Services Award
Kirsten Garcia
Metaio Malama
2013 HUTT CITY WELLINGTON AIRPORT REGIONAL COMMUNITY AWARDS
Recognising the valuable contributions made by volunteers and their organisations in Hutt City.
Sport and Leisure – and Supreme Award winner
Ignite Sport
Wainuiomata Rugby League Club – runner up
Health and Wellbeing
Team Naenae Trust
The Paladin Project Charitable Trust – runner up
Arts and Culture
Tumeke Taita Festival Committee
Faultline Chorus – runner up
Heritage and Environment
Wainuiomata Pioneer Church Preservation Society
Historical Society of Eastbourne – runner up
Education and Child/Youth Development
St Michaels School
KidsCan Charitable Trust – runner up
SAFE CITY AWARDS
Outstanding individuals and organisations whose contributions to crime prevention have helped create a safer city.
Alcohol Harm Minimisation
Lower Hutt/Petone Alcohol Accord
Organisation
Āhuru Mōwai O Te Awakairangi - Network for a Violence-Free Hutt Valley
Area Commander Award
Peter Clarke
Tuesday, 24 September 2013
Hutt CBD is coming alive.
A revitalised Central Business District is already beginning to hum.
There are a number of significant developments that mix retail and new apartments and will encourage inner city living.
Hutt City is planning an economic forum in November which will increase the focus on the central business district.
We have been promoting businesses who are encouraged by the city’s Business Stimulus Package. Projects already under way or in the planning stage include:
We are also anticipating a lot of interest for the NZ Post building in Margaret Street which is considered a strategic property within the CBD and will soon go on sale.
Hutt City is planning an economic forum in November which will increase the focus on the central business district.
We have been promoting businesses who are encouraged by the city’s Business Stimulus Package. Projects already under way or in the planning stage include:
- An inner city development that will include a multi-storey apartment building combining residential apartments with ground floor retail space.
- A fast-food drive-through development.
- A new tenant, Warehouse Stationery, for the space left vacant by Bond and Bond.
- Re-strengthening of prominent central city building which includes plans for adding further levels to the building and car parking.
- Transformation of an inner city building into eight apartments in High Street.
- A new development in Cambridge Terrace which has been granted resource consent and will include new tenants, Subway and a supermarket. This is currently under way.
- A proposal for a new office and retail premises adjoining the central business district in Knights Road.
We are also anticipating a lot of interest for the NZ Post building in Margaret Street which is considered a strategic property within the CBD and will soon go on sale.
A local voice for the environment is important
The Local Government Commission needs to consider the local voice on environmental issues when deciding on new boundaries for local authorities in the Wellington region.
Recently I spoke to an environmental institute and covered what Hutt City is doing to manage the environmental issues under local government reform and I explained why four local unitary authorities are better for the environment.
There are two main points that make multiple unitary authorities proposed by Hutt City the right decision for the Wellington region.
In terms of the environment, it would mean the good work being done at a local level will be eroded. The boundary of a United Hutt Valley unitary would encompass the three river catchments of the Orongongo River, Wainuiomata River and the Hutt River, and a large portion of the Rimutakas.
Our local authorities have been managing these zones since the early 1900s, so we have had experience.
My second argument is about the need to provide for local priorities. Our council, for example, has an open door for the likes of Forest & Bird and the Wellington Botanical Society. They have on the ground local knowledge and we can provide the resources to action the local priorities that have been identified.
Other examples of local initiatives include:
Solutions for each territorial local authority are specific to their local habitats. They need local management based on local priorities.
Why is all this so important?
Because it is the air we breathe, stable hillsides, water quality, it is our local landscapes and habitats. It is the place we play in and the views we enjoy.
It is a Hutt Valley Unitary Authority. Hutt City is our habitat. We know what it needs.
Recently I spoke to an environmental institute and covered what Hutt City is doing to manage the environmental issues under local government reform and I explained why four local unitary authorities are better for the environment.
There are two main points that make multiple unitary authorities proposed by Hutt City the right decision for the Wellington region.
- The four local unitary boundaries closely match water catchments and are closely aligned with ecological zones
- The four unitary model provides a mechanism for ensuring local priorities are met within local authority boundaries to sustain successful existing practices.
In terms of the environment, it would mean the good work being done at a local level will be eroded. The boundary of a United Hutt Valley unitary would encompass the three river catchments of the Orongongo River, Wainuiomata River and the Hutt River, and a large portion of the Rimutakas.
Our local authorities have been managing these zones since the early 1900s, so we have had experience.
My second argument is about the need to provide for local priorities. Our council, for example, has an open door for the likes of Forest & Bird and the Wellington Botanical Society. They have on the ground local knowledge and we can provide the resources to action the local priorities that have been identified.
Other examples of local initiatives include:
- updating our Environmental Sustainability Strategy which is targeted at local issues affecting our environment as identified by local people.
- Hutt City working with our neighbour Upper Hutt City, to develop the Silverstream landfill which is the only Class A landfill in the region. Reduced waste to the landfill highlights the success of local recycling initiatives.
- Earthlink charity which diverts waste from landfill on behalf of HCC.
- Silver Lining - another local Hutt initiative designed to reduce waste from local manufacturers.
Solutions for each territorial local authority are specific to their local habitats. They need local management based on local priorities.
Why is all this so important?
Because it is the air we breathe, stable hillsides, water quality, it is our local landscapes and habitats. It is the place we play in and the views we enjoy.
It is a Hutt Valley Unitary Authority. Hutt City is our habitat. We know what it needs.
Petone West Plan Change 29 approved by council
The Petone West Plan Change 29, as recommended by Independent Planning Commissioners, has been adopted by Hutt City Council.
This was a change that attracted a great deal of local interest.
Independent commissioners, Alister Aburn, Chris Mitchell and Roger Lane, heard 44 oral submissions and considered more than 260 written submissions. Written and oral evidence was also presented by a range of experts.
Provisions contained within the recommendations will allow for a wider range of activities, including residential, than currently permitted in the Petone West area. The changes will allow high quality mixed use development with specific policies and rules designed to address concerns raised by submitters.
The permitted height limit is lower in the recommended change. However, there is provision for taller buildings to be considered through the resource consent process as a fully discretionary activity.
The process undertaken by the independent commissioners was rigorous. The plan change attracted a lot of interest and passion from the community and among councillors and, as elected members, we wanted to ensure we got it right.
The decision to use independent commissioners was taken to give impartiality to the recommendations made.
This was a change that attracted a great deal of local interest.
Independent commissioners, Alister Aburn, Chris Mitchell and Roger Lane, heard 44 oral submissions and considered more than 260 written submissions. Written and oral evidence was also presented by a range of experts.
Provisions contained within the recommendations will allow for a wider range of activities, including residential, than currently permitted in the Petone West area. The changes will allow high quality mixed use development with specific policies and rules designed to address concerns raised by submitters.
The permitted height limit is lower in the recommended change. However, there is provision for taller buildings to be considered through the resource consent process as a fully discretionary activity.
The process undertaken by the independent commissioners was rigorous. The plan change attracted a lot of interest and passion from the community and among councillors and, as elected members, we wanted to ensure we got it right.
The decision to use independent commissioners was taken to give impartiality to the recommendations made.
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