Would you support a ban on the sale of fireworks to the general public and an end to their private use?
That’s a question that will come before the full Council in June after a majority of councillors on the Community Services Committee last week recommended that the Hutt follows Auckland Council’s lead, and requests the government to change fireworks legislation.
I know that fireworks can injure people, frighten animals and keep people awake – especially when they’re let off weeks and even months after Guy Fawkes Night. But they’re also the stuff of warm childhood memories, extended families gathering for a night of fun, etc.
If the government did ban private sales of fireworks, there would still be public displays, and more of these could be held in various suburbs in the city. But not everyone has the money/transport to take part in these.
My view is that it would be more effective to ask the government to ban people letting off fireworks at any other time than, say, three days either side of November 5, with fines for breaches. It seems to me that’s a compromise that will enable families to plan to keep their pets inside that week, and know that the disruption to sleep, etc., is only for a short period each year. Otherwise, we’re held ransom to idiots and the inconsiderate who ruin it for everyone else.
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What do you think about this? I’d really appreciate your feedback before we vote on whether to join Auckland Council’s call for a total ban. (email simon.edwards@huttcity.govt.nzor call me on 027 484 8892).
Pool project blows budgets
Pretty much all bets are off regarding which Council projects will get the green light in the financial year starting July 1.
As you’ll all know, a Detailed Seismic Assessment of the main Naenae Olympic Pool building found the timber arches, end wall structures and bleachers (seating) areas were all below 34% of the New Building Standard. The Learners Pool was closed in December last year after it was identified as being earthquake-prone.
We already had $9 million in the budget for a maintenance overhaul of the pool building, which would have required it to close for 18 months. Another $8m had been budgeted for a new Naenae library/admin/community hub, which is now on hold. But we are now facing earthquake strengthening or total re-build costs that have been given a (very ballpark) estimate of $20m-$40m.
Hours have been extended at Huia and Stokes Valley Pools and full-time staff re-deployed as we try and accommodate up to 70% of displaced bookings/groups. But the surrounding shops at Naenae are taking a big hit.
Construction/design consultants are busy preparing concepts and cost estimates for:
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remediating the existing pool building
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a new aquatic facility only
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an integrated aquatic facility with community hub
These details are expected by mid-June. The pool project is considered by all councillors to be a priority but because of the cost, and the potential disruption to a whole range of projects already consulted on with the public, legislation may require us to go back out to residents for their feedback on the way ahead.
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If you have questions about the Naenae Pool and community hub situation, come along to the public meeting in the Treadwell St Hall in Naenae, 7.30pm on Wednesday May 8.
Track your dog on your cellphone
If you have a dog that is a bit of a Houdini, and escapes from your property or does a runner when you’re out walking, a new option from Council will be of interest.
After a successful trial in Stokes Valley, Hutt City Council is launching the Doggone Bluetooth dog tag when dog registration renewals come up mid year. It costs an extra $25 + GST but dog owners can choose not to take it up.
The waterproof Doggone tag (Hamilton example, left), which is a little bit bigger and fatter than existing registration discs, has a battery which lasts 18 months. It acts as a beacon, sending out a signal every 5 seconds, looking for any phones with the Doggone App installed.
You can use the App on your phone to check your dog’s whereabouts, mark it as lost if it escapes and receive real-time location updates of where it has been sighted. When you mark your dog as lost on the Doggone App Hutt City Council’s animal control team will be notified, so they, too, can help to quickly reunite you with your dog. You will also receive real-time notifications if someone sees your dog out alone and marks it on the App as a wandering dog. Only you and the Council can track your dog.
The Doggone registration tag, which will be in a different colour each year it is re-issued (just like the current ID discs) also has a unique registration number engraved on it, so if someone finds your dog they can access the owner’s emergency contact number by texting the dog’s registration number to free text 4133.
You can allow access to your dog’s location to someone else who also cares for your dog (family, friend, dog walker, boarding kennel etc). They simply download the free Doggone App on their smartphone and then login using the main account holder’s email address and password as shared by you.
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Find out more, here https://doggone.co.nz/
Shock and dismay over Melling
There’s is huge dismay at the recent announcement from the NZ Transport Agency that, while work will continue on a “detailed business case”, funding for a new interchange at Melling won’t even be considered until after 2028. Mayor Ray Wallace is meeting the Minister of Transport in the near future to emphasise the importance of this project to the entire Hutt Valley.
This doesn’t cancel the Riverlink floodway upgrade and promenade. Greater Wellington Regional Council has indicated it will press on with the floodway work, and Hutt City Council is meeting with GWRC representatives this month to discuss the way forward. But doing Riverlink and the interchange as separate projects will be more expensive, disruptive and very messy from the resource consent process, which is complicated enough even if it proceeded as the originally envisaged single project.
Cinemas, cycleways and brothel
In 2019, Hutt City Council has been working on an average of 30 resource consent applications every month.
Recent consent applications received:
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Queensgate, construction of a new carpark ($34m) and seismic enhancement works ($5.7m)
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190 High St, second level converted to 12 separate brothel rooms ($650,000).
Notable consents lodged:
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Beltway Cycleway, an application to build a shared path along the rail corridor on Oxford Terrace
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37a Bloomfield Terrace, rebuild of Queensgate Cinema (seven screens) and carpark
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30 Waione St, Petone, proposed Gull petrol station.
Recently granted resource consents:
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177 High St (the old BNZ building), proposed building by Wellington Company featuring 32 apartments, and hospitality venture on the ground floor
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94 Cambridge Terrace, Waterloo, new childcare centre in a residential area
Note: In my last newsletter I mentioned that Oasis had won resource consent to turn part of the building at 2-14 Laings Road into 39 social housing units for those with mental disabilities. The developer has since been placed in liquidation and its share of the building (all upper floors) is currently on market for sale.
A masterplan for social housing
A workshop on social housing is being organised for early this month featuring Hutt City Council, Housing NZ, health, sport, Police, iwi and Urban Plus representatives. The theme is how we work together to try and ensure the tamariki/children of today’s tenants of the State are renting or owning their own homes as adults in 15 plus years’ time.
We also want to see a ‘Masterplan’ for social housing in the Hutt Valley – one that doesn’t repeat the mistakes of the past, such as grouping all state houses in large bunches rather than ‘pepper-potting’ them among other sorts of homes.
At every opportunity it gets to meet with Housing NZ and Ministers, Hutt City Council takes its chance to express disappointment that progress to replace the more than 350 state houses demolished around the city is taking too long. It’s not accurate to say it’s snail pace because a snail moves more quickly. Around 30 replacement homes/units, such as in Whites Line East and (very slow builds) in Seddon St, are only now underway.
As with any topic in this newsletter, I’m keen to hear your views – email simon.edwards@huttcity.govt.nz
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