Media Releases

September 2003

30 September

Council considers response to Prostitution Reform Act

Councillors and Community Board Members will meet next week (October 6th) to discuss Waitakere City's response to the decriminalisation of prostitution.

A 3-hour workshop will look at options for managing the potential negative effects of the new legislation through the Council's ability to make bylaws and/or through the District Plan. 

This may include placing controls on brothel location and any associated signage.

Council staff are also discussing the issue with other Local Authorities with the aim of having an approach to the new legislation that is as consistent as possible across the Auckland Region. 

There will be public consultation on any proposed bylaws or changes to the District Plan. A timeframe for public consultation will be confirmed after the October 6 workshop. 

The new law legalises the soliciting and provision of sexual services for financial reward. Every operator of a venue that employs 5 or more sex workers has to apply to the District Court for a license to operate.

Chairperson of Waitakere's Environment Management Committee, Penny Hulse, says there is a high level of community interest in the issue.

"You just have to look at the public debate in the lead-up to the law being passed," she says. "Individuals and organisations have strong views on this issue and we want to hear from as broad a cross section of the community as possible."

"Anything we adopt has to be not only workable, but our community has to be able to live with it."

29 September

The Highs and Lows

An apparent glitch in drafting of the new Local Government Act has left some Councils high and dry.

The Act sets out, among other things, the boundaries of Councils. This is particularly relevant to the enforcement of bylaws.

Previously a number of Councils, including Waitakere City, have had their boundaries extended to enable them to enforce bylaws down to the mean low water mark. However the way the boundaries are described in the new legislation, which came into effect in July, leaves it very uncertain whether the Council's powers extend beyond the high water mark. 

This anomaly means that, technically, Councils cannot enforce things like liquor bans on beaches below the mean high tide line. It could also affect bylaws relating to animals and vehicles on beaches.

Waitakere City Council solicitor Denis Sheard advised his Council of the issue at a meeting last night. "The intent of the legislation seems clear, but we are obliged to operate under the letter of the law and it appears that this is an issue for many Councils around the country."

Mr Sheard is now investigating whether the appropriate solution is an amendment to the Local Government Act or an approach to the Minister of Local Government to have the Council's seaward boundary formally altered. 

Mr Sheard is hopeful that this issue can be cleared up in time for the summer beach season.

26 September

Scholarship for Waitakere Student

Waitakere City Council is looking at a $5000 scholarship for one lucky student.

The Council has a Memorandum of Understanding with UNITEC which will see, among other things, the joint development of a major library in Henderson over the next few years.

Mayor Bob Harvey says a Council funded scholarship would build on that.

"For too long our young people have left school, with little or no qualifications," he says. "And those who have gone on to further study have had to do so outside of their own City.

"Now that UNITEC has established in Henderson a world of educational opportunities have opened up. But for many families paying for their teenage son or daughter to get further qualifications is a real struggle. I'd like to see the Council do something really concrete to help out."

The Mayor has suggested that the money fully fund the first year's fees for a full-time degree course at Unitec's Waitakere campus.

A report will come back to the Council's October meeting outlining how any scholarship would be structured and funded.

26 September

Human Rights Commission congratulates Waitakere City

It's less than a week old, but the new Waitakere Ethnic Board (WEB) has already received accolades from the Human Rights Commission.

WEB's establishment has earned the Waitakere City Council a special 'Certificate of Acknowledgement' from the Commission, which acknowledges "the positive efforts that individuals and organisations are making towards harmonious race relations in New Zealand."

The Waitakere Ethnic Board (WEB) was established to advise the Council on issues affecting ethnic groups in the city. Representatives from many ethnic groups have joined the WEB after a lengthy community consultation process and as part of the implementation of New Out West (NOW) - a programme for new settlers, co-ordinated by the West Auckland District Council of Social Services and supported by the Council. 

The Council is expecting to formalise its relationship with WEB next month with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to outline ways of working together to be more responsive to ethnic needs within the local community.

"The establishment of WEB is part of an extensive collaboration process in Waitakere," says Councillor Annette Fenton, the Council's representative on New Out West.

"The Council already has a Maori standing committee (Te Taumata Runanga) and a Pacific Island Advisory Board. Including other ethnicities within WEB is a recognition of the importance of the cultural diversity within our City and I'm looking forward to seeing new understanding and partnerships develop."

25 September 2003

Waitakere Finance Director keynote speaker at conference

Waitakere City's national leadership in preparing Long Term Council Community Plans (LTCCPs) has led to an invitation to make a keynote presentation on the subject at the sixth annual Local Government Finance Conference in November.

The Council's Finance Director, Andrew Pollock, will present a session on 'Assessing the financial reporting of LTCCPs and developing an annual plan to support them' to an audience comprising chief executives, finance managers, accountants and treasury executives within local government.

Waitakere City was one of the first councils in the country to adopt an LTCCP, a new requirement introduced under the Local Government Act 2002. LTCCPs plan 10 years ahead, supporting council and community visions for the future of their area and outlining what needs to be done to get there.

The conference is being held in Wellington on November 20 - 21.

25 September

Waitakere Ranges protection workshops begin next week

Seven weeks of community workshops on protecting the Waitakere Ranges begin next Monday.

Held throughout the City from 29 September to 13 November, the workshops will enable residents to have their say on a range of topics relating to the Ranges, including development, human impacts, weeds and pests. 

The workshops will discuss the *Snapshot of the Ranges report (and summary document), which provides a detailed 'stocktake' of key pressures facing the Ranges and offers some possible ideas on what more could be done to ensure their long-term protection.

The project was sparked by some community group suggestions that the current protection for the Ranges may not be sufficient in the long term, despite a large part of the bush area having been made a regional park, District Plan rules, funding to combat pests, weeds and other threats, and public involvement.

In response, Waitakere City Council, together with the Auckland Regional Council, iwi, and local MPs David Cunliffe and Lynne Pillay, developed a process to talk these issues through with the community. 

Research was conducted on the state of the Ranges and foothills, looking at what values people place on them and how current management roles are working. Possible responses and actions will form the basis of discussion at the public workshops. 

Councillor Penny Hulse, chair of the Council's Environmental Management Committee, strongly urges people to attend the workshops, which will focus on sharing information and providing an opportunity for feedback.

"It is vital to hear from as many people as possible, as the future of the Ranges needs to be planned together with the wider community," she says. 

"We want to hear the ideas of landowners who live in the Ranges, the coastal villages and the foothills. We also want to talk to people who simply use and enjoy the Ranges." 

	For information on the Workshop timetable and how to have your say see the Protecting the Waitakere Ranges .
	Contact details:
	Cr Penny Hulse Phone: (09)  832 5358 Mobile 021 273 4663 Email: penny.hulse@waitakere.govt.nz
	Arlene Fredericks Phone: (09) 836 8000 ext 8401 Email: Arlene.Fredericks@waitakere.govt.nz

Note: * Copies of 'Snapshot of the Ranges' and summary document will be available on Monday 29 October.

22 September

Essay competition rewards amateur historians

Winners of the inaugural JT Diamond Essay Competition were announced at a special ceremony at Glen Eden Intermediate School last Wednesday night.

Organised by Waitakere City's Library and Information Services, the competition honours the life and work of Waitakere City's most renowned historian, the late Jack Diamond, whose vast local history collection is housed at Henderson Library.

Entrants were asked to prepare an essay from a range of topics related to west Auckland history, including natural history, legends and traditional stories, industry, old buildings, sites or monuments and local personalities.

Thirty-nine entries were received - 33 in the junior category and six in the adult amateur historian category. Topics included memories of different west Auckland suburbs, New Lynn brickmaking history, local vintners, holidays in West Auckland, research into local sports clubs (surfing, soccer and rugby). There were also a number of oral history interviews.

The Council's Child and Youth Advocate, Cr Brenda Brady, says the essay competition was an effective way of encouraging original research into local history and promoting a wider understanding, especially amongst our youth, of the how people and events of the past have helped shape the Waitakere City of today.  As primary research materials, all essays will be available at Henderson Library's J.T. Diamond Research Room.

Cr Brenda Brady (left) with JT Diamond Essay Competition award recipients

Click here to view the list of winners.

17 September

"Baby Britomart at heart of Henderson hub concept

A "Baby Britomart" will soon begin to grow in Waitakere as the city starts to emerge as the next big economic growth area - and the Auckland region finally gets serious about rail as a future commuter transport option.

The Waitakere City Council today approved site plans for a modern rail/bus/taxi interchange in Railside Avenue, Henderson, on one side of the rail tracks and a Civic Centre directly opposite, on the other side of the tracks in Henderson Valley Road - and link the two with an airbridge.

The structure is designed to promote public transport - and especially rail - as the transport option of the future, to link two parts of downtown Henderson separated for more than a century by the railway and to give the very centre of the CBD a shot in the arm.

Facing this new complex along the length of Railside Avenue and its continuation, Ratanui Street, will be the new UNITEC campus and the new Waitakere Central Library. 

All these projects - Civic Centre, Transport interchange, library and campus - are due to open in 2006 and bring thousands more people into the town centre. The UNITEC campus will host at least 2,000 students, the Central Library - which is a joint venture between the Council and UNITEC - will attract thousands of people in a year; the Council offices will bring at least 600 staff and 55,000 visitors a year. 

The airbridge configuration, will concentrate many of these on the transport interchange - making public transport convenient - and it will link all parts of the downtown area within a relatively short walk further embellishing the value of public transport for shopping, business and study.

This Henderson Hub complex incorporating the Civic Centre, transport interchange and airbridge, is described by Mayor Bob Harvey as being the "bridge into the future of a whole new city". 

"It is the development that links the components of Waitakere City into a world-class centre for the 21st century. For some time we have been setting the building blocks of a new regional capital in Henderson - with the Vineyards Business Campus, the new Waitakere hospital, the new Waitakere Trusts Stadium, West Wave Aquatic Centre, the new UNITEC campus, new Central Library, the Henderson Valley film studios - and this new transport hub connects them all." 

"This development builds on a decade of Council's proven experience in sustainable design, in health, leisure, clean, green business and jobs, tertiary education and knowledge, public transport, and new urban lifestyles," Mayor Harvey says. 

"Several hundreds of millions in public and private investment are being made - and that is just a beginning. We are 15 minutes from Auckland by motorway, increasingly accessible by train and we have all the attributes demanded by modern enlightened business. 

"We really believe it is a case of 'build it and they will come'," he says, pointing to the 73% increase in rail patronage on the Western Line in the months since Britomart opened.

Mr Harvey said the Council had stimulated some remarkable commercial breakthroughs that proved that it was not just good at picking winners, but good at initiating and designing them.

He said that Henderson Valley Film Studios, bought as redundant coolstores in October last year, has been 'jammed to the rafters' with film productions ever since. The $60 million hospital extensions came about, he says, because of council pressure, and they are energy and water efficient because of Waitakere's work on sustainability. After years of pressure from the city, rail is back on the transport agenda, sustainability is now mainstream thinking as is compact design to rein-in urban sprawl.

"Waitakere has been carefully planned for a decade, and this is another logical, bold step into the next decade and beyond. We are going to be the envy of the world," Mr Harvey says.

17 September

West Wave welcomes new "Pool Alone" policy

A new policy redefining the responsibility caregivers have for under-eights swimming in public pools has been welcomed by Waitakere City's West Wave Aquatic Centre.

Launched by the New Zealand Recreation Association and Water Safety New Zealand, the new "Pool Alone" policy" raises the age of the caregiver from 14 to 16 years and states that they must now watch their children at all times and be close enough to provide immediate assistance.

West Wave Manager, Ben Davies, says West Wave fully supports the thrust of the policy, with staff having had direct input into its development. The policy was implemented at the pool last week and formal signage erected.

Development of the new policy and a desire to better communicate supervision requirements and caregiver responsibilities was sparked by a marked increase in the number of young children drowning in public pools. Six children aged under six drowned in public pools between June 1999 and November 2002 - considerably more than the average of one every two years between 1980 and 1999.

NZRA president, Nigel Cass, says the revised policy is long overdue. 
"Pool lifeguards across the country are constantly having to deal with cases where young children are dropped off at pools and left to fend for themselves, or caregivers who are supposed to be looking after young children are busy doing their own thing," he says. 

"Supervision of young children is a shared responsibility for all of the community and lifeguards play an important role in this. However, the end responsibility, and greatest overall impact if something does go wrong, lies with the caregiver."

WSNZ executive director, Alan Muir, reinforces the need for this type of policy: "Pools and water are inherently dangerous environments and a review of the six child drownings since June 1999 highlighted that lack of caregiver supervision was a common contributing factor."
Waitakere City Council's Child and Youth Advocate, Councillor Brenda Brady, says the Council fully supports the move to increase the age of caregivers at public pools.

"While West Wave always has lifeguards on duty, it is the ultimate responsibility of parents or caregivers to ensure their child is supervised at all times - and the new policy clarifies this. It also recognises that a 16-year-old is likely to be more mature and better able to take on the responsibility of looking after young children at pools."

12 September

'Jog the Dog' event coming to Waitakere

Henderson Park will be going to the dogs on Sunday 21 September for Waitakere City's inaugural "Jog the Dog" event.

The event takes place at 10.30 am at Henderson Park (on Wilsher Crescent). Parking is also available at the Corban Estate Arts Centre (entrance off Great North Road).

Supported by Waitakere City Council, Jog the Dog offers dogs and their owners the opportunity to participate in a fun run (or walk) to raise money for dog charities, including Waitakere's Animal Welfare Centre, which desperately needs more doggy beds.

There are two courses - 2kms and 4.5km - featuring the scenic Opanuku Walkway bush track, suburban streets and the odd grassy bits.

The day will be packed with fun activities and free giveaways, including doggy loot bags for all entrants, free doggy Warrant of Fitness vet check, competitions, training club demos, fly ball demos, live music, Dog Café and a puppy crèche (a fenced-off area where your puppy can meet others and older (well behaved) dogs to build up their "social skills").

Jog the Dog creator, Pip Fleming, says: "Unfortunately all dogs have been given a pretty bad rap lately. We want this event to show how responsible dog ownership improves dog behaviour. We'll have some expert people demonstrating how children should approach dogs and how to train your dog not to bark incessantly or yank your hand from your wrist when you walk them."

Henderson Ward Councillor, Annette Fenton, will be participating in the event with her dogs Max and Andy, and advises a pre-event build up.

"If you or your four-legged friend haven't been for a walk or light jog in a while, it would be a good idea to start taking regular walks."

For those who would like to participate but have no dog of their own, Waitakere City's Animal Welfare Unit will have some well-mannered, homeless pooches at the event who would love to go for a walk or run.

See What's Happening In Waitakere City for more event details.

9 September

Council decides notorious waterhole should be filled in

Massey's notorious Huruhuru Creek waterhole will be filled in to help prevent further drownings at the site, if the Council's City Development Committee has its way.

Over the last decade, the popular waterhole has claimed the lives of three children, including a two-year-old who slipped in, a four-year-old who was swimming and a teenager whose hair was caught by underwater debris.

The decision to fill in the waterhole with rock was made at the Committee's September meeting. The Committee also requested that accessways to the creek be assessed with the view of minimising dangers to the public.

A resource consent application for the work has been lodged with the Auckland Regional Council to enable the work to proceed as a matter of urgency. However, the consent process is expected to take many months, meaning the waterhole may not be filled in until next year. Meanwhile, the site will continue to receive its weekly safety audit by the Council's Parks contractor.

The estimated $90,000 cost of filling the waterhole is likely to be sourced from the Council's existing Stormwater Loan, provided for in the 2003/2004 Annual Plan, as currently only safety signage and fencing at Huruhuru Creek is budgeted for.

Committee chair, Deputy Mayor Carolynne Stone, says that while the Council has addressed safety requirements to minimise the risk of any future drownings, the risk elements of a natural open waterway would remain for those who chose to swim there.

"We know we can't make every waterway safe, but we felt we should make an exception due to the specific dangers at this waterhole," Cr Stone says.

The Council's Chief Executive, Harry O'Rourke, agrees with the decision, saying that the death of three children at this waterhole requires "definite and final action", especially given the Council's First Call for Children policy.

"If there was a fault in the road that had caused the death of three children, we would have, long ago, fixed the problem permanently," he says.

8 September

First Waitakere Moon Festival a shining success

The New Lynn town centre was alive with the sights, sounds and smells of Asia for the inaugural Waitakere Moon Festival on September 5 and 6. Thousands of people took part in the colourful harvest festival - celebrated throughout most of Asia.  Held in and around the New Lynn Community Centre, Friday night's festivities attracted a big crowd, despite the bitterly cold wind and rain and two power cuts. The atmosphere was electric, with hanging lanterns, lion dancing, singing, traditional dance, martial arts, music, fashion and a bustling market place, selling everything from food to toys. Close to 500 people, many carrying lanterns, also braved the weather to join a lion dance parade around New Lynn.

Lion Dance Parade in full swing

Taiwanese dancers display their poise and elegance

Saturday also included a fantastic line-up of quality entertainment from many different Asian cultures, as well as the Pacific Islands. Other activities included noodle-making demonstrations, paper folding, Chinese chess, art displays, Cantonese opera make-up and costume demonstrations and free moon cake tasting. Special guests included the Chinese Consulate General, Yang Xui Ping, the Senior Consul of Japan, Kazuaki Kameda, the Consul General of South Korea, Ho Joon Moon, the Minister of Ethnic Affairs, the Hon. Chris Carter, and the Associate Minister of Finance and MP for Titirangi, the Hon. David Cunliffe.

Waitakere City Mayor, Bob Harvey, welcomed the festival as "a celebration of everything that we know and love of the east Asian cultures".

"This is an especially auspicious occasion - a festival of colour and celebration. It is a spectacle of dancing, of music, of sheer energy," he said. "There is a powerful sense of community as Chinese, Korean, Japanese and other Asian communities form and join communities and sports clubs, from churches to tai chi, from karate to Thai dancing. And we are all far richer as a community for the food, the language and literature, the music and the east Asian sense of style that you have all brought."

Mayor Harvey also commented on the positive impact of Asian business investment in the City: "Already we have seen the face of the City change for the better. There is more dynamism in property development and we can see the confidence that new capital and construction brings to a town."

The Waitakere Moon Festival was organised by the Waitakere City Council, in partnership with the Cantonese Opera Society and the Asia 2000 Foundation.

8 September

Liaison group established for Henderson developments

Waitakere City Council has set-up a liaison group in Henderson to help improve communication and problem-solving while the new Waitakere City Library and UNITEC Campus are being built in the open space between Ratanui Street and Trading Place, Henderson.

The liaison group will comprise elected members, Council staff, architects and representatives of affected businesses.

The Council's City Development Committee decided on the liaison group to formalise communication with Henderson business people, particularly to talk about possible impacts on nearby businesses during construction.

A deputation to the Committee, led by Henderson businessman, Dean Thomson, presented issues to be dealt with through this process. 

Deputy Mayor and City Development Committee chair, Carolynne Stone, says the liaison group will provide a number of benefits.

"These projects will have a major impact on the local business community. Therefore, it is important that during the development of the library, UNITEC and Civic Centre sites, there is a managed process by which the local business community can contribute ideas or successfully raise concerns in a timely manner," Cr Stone says. 

The Council's Director of Corporate and Civic Services, Ross McLeod, reassured Mr Thomson that current plans were still very much in a preliminary stage and the issues raised by the delegation could be taken into account, during the design process.

"A win-win situation is the best possible outcome and we are committed to achieving that by working with the business community," Mr McLeod says.

3 September

Energy efficient retrofit offered to 100 Waitakere City homes

One hundred low-income households have the opportunity to apply for a heavily discounted energy efficiency retrofit of their homes as part of a new EcoWise West project run by the EcoMatters Environment Trust.

The package includes ceiling and under-floor insulation, damp-proof under-floor membranes, hot water cylinder wraps, pipe lagging, low-flow showerheads and draft-stopping around windows and doors.

Although the retrofits are valued at $1800, support from Waitakere City Council, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, Work and Income New Zealand and the Community Employment Group means the Trust is able to offer them for $70.

"As well as making 100 homes warmer and healthier, the project will result in greater energy efficiency and local employment," says Waitakere City Councillor, Denise Yates, deputy chair of the Council's Environmental Management Committee.

EECA Chief Executive, Heather Staley, says: "Around 30 percent of a home's energy consumption goes into heating water, and of the energy the hot water cylinder uses, up to 30 percent is wasted because of low-grade cylinders. Also, 40 percent of space heating escapes through a house's ceiling, yet it's estimated that 300,000 homes in New Zealand do not have ceiling insulation."

Ms Staley says that not only will the Waitakere homes be warmer and more energy efficient, but they'll also be healthier to live in.

"About one third of New Zealand homes are colder than the World Health Organisation recommended healthy average temperature of 18 degrees. Evidence suggests that cold and damp homes lead to increases in respiratory illness. Simple insulation measures can make a huge difference to a home's warmth and energy consumption and the health of its occupants," she says.

"With all of the improvements installed, the occupants of an average home in Auckland could save up to $315 per year, and enjoy a warm, dry, healthy home."

To apply for the retrofits, you need to own your own home and have a Community Services Card. Priority will be given to those with health problems aggravated by cold and damp housing.

Residents wanting to apply to have their home insulated under the scheme should phone the project coordinator, Gretchen Schubeck, at the EcoMatters Environment Trust on (09) 826 4276. Applications close on September 26.

2 September

Gateways promote road safety

Eye-catching road safety signs created by artist Toby Twiss will be blessed in a special ceremony in Titirangi on September 15.

Based on designs by school children in the Glen Eden and Titirangi area, the 'gateway' signage aims to improve road safety and raise traffic and pedestrian awareness around schools. It will benefit Titirangi Primary, Kaurilands Primary and Glen Eden Intermediate, all of which are located on busy traffic routes. The three schools have been key to the development of the project, actively supporting the need for safety signs and involving their students in the process.

Mr Twiss ran workshops with the children, creating six road safety signs incorporating their artwork. The signs sit in pairs, creating a gateway appearance along Atkinson Road and Kaurilands Road. 

The colourful metal signs are based on conventional road signs, but incorporate cut-out images rather than words. Children were asked to think about speed, how they get to school and how they would encourage drivers to slow down.

An Elam Schools of Arts graduate, Mr Twiss is a professional sculptor with a diploma in teaching. One of his latest works includes "the Robbie Statue" (of Sir Dove-Myer Robinson) in Aotea Square. 

"I believe that children should have a feeling of ownership within their community," he says. "By contributing to the making of these signs, they have been able to express their concerns and attitudes about road safety using an authoritative language in the form of road signage."

The Glen Eden/Titirangi Gateways art project follows the successful 2001 project in Kelston, where four schools worked with Mr Twiss to create three gateways for their area.

New Lynn Ward Councillor, Greg Presland, says the gateways project has a number of aims.

"Primarily, it is to help make the area a safer place for children getting to and from school. But bringing the children from the local schools together also fosters a strong sense of ownership and pride in the project and the messages the gateways give out are evident," he says.

The blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 11am on September 15 at the Titirangi Roundabout, outside Titirangi Primary.

1 September

Council push for electrification

Waitakere City is urging the Auckland Regional Council to electrify the western rail line to enable more environmentally friendly electric trains to replace the current diesel trains.

The ARC is currently looking at whether the system should be electrified, the cost of electrification and funding options.

Waitakere City Council's view is that electrification is by far the best option, says Deputy Mayor Carolynne Stone.

"Electric power is renewable, produced in New Zealand and except in exceptional circumstances, it is generated using non-polluting methods. Electric trains are also very quiet to run. These are all vital considerations in residential areas. On the other hand, diesel engines are noisier and diesel is burned like petrol, creating poisonous fumes that pollute the atmosphere," she says.

Electric trains are more expensive to buy and there is a cost to install the overhead cables, but these costs are offset by considerably lower operating and maintenance costs, so electrification is the cheaper option, overall. This advantage will increase year by year.

"This cost advantage is clearly acknowledged in the draft Rail Business Plan, currently being developed by the ARC, Auckland Regional Transport Network Ltd and Infrastructure Auckland," says Cr Stone.

"All sophisticated, major cities around the world have chosen to go electric. In fact, many developed countries, especially in Europe and Asia, have electrified their entire national railway system. So, why would we accept a lesser standard here in Auckland - especially when it is sustainable, costs less to run and is environmentally friendly?" she says.

"The western rail line runs through a number of town centres and residential neighbourhoods. It is vital that the rail system is one that minimises noise and air pollution - because people are living and working right next to the rail line."

1 September

Councils Left Exposed to Financial Risks of GMOs

Local communities have been left exposed to the financial risks of GM organisms by a select committee of parliament.

The report of the Education and Science select committee, released today, does not recommend any changes to the proposed legislation so as to remove the risk of Councils being liable.

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey says, therefore, that the full Parliament must provide mechanisms for a council to exercise control over whether a GM organism should be released in its area, when this is the clear desire of local authorities such as his. 

In 2001 Waitakere- the Eco City- declared itself opposed to genetic engineering food trials within its boundaries. Other Councils, such as Nelson and Rodney have also expressed concerns. 

Mayor Harvey says unless Parliament takes heed of Council views, local bodies are at risk of having to pay for damage to the environment caused by something they have no control over. "It also denies local councils- and the businesses they work with- the right to market and brand themselves a refuge from GM releases."

"In a world context that is a very powerful brand to have," says Mayor Harvey who, prior to becoming Mayor, was one of the country's top advertising and marketing executives. Locally, his concern centres on a rapidly expanding cluster of organics food producers.

Parliament's Education and Science Select Committee today recommended changes to legislation that clears the way for GM release - the NOOM Bill. 

However the select committee has not recommended any meaningful changes that would address the problems local government raised in its submissions, says Mayor Harvey. 

"So, unless the full Parliament amends the proposed legislation it is ratepayers who risk having to pay for any damage caused by the accidental release of GM organisms. Ratepayers will be exposed financially if Councils have to clean up any mess." 

Local Government New Zealand made it clear in its submission that: "Local government liability must be excluded if local authorities have no consenting role under HSNO or RMA for the release of new organisms." 

The liability arises because local government is responsible under the Resource Management Act for protection of the environment. The laws governing GM will not require those growing GM crops to pay for damages so long as they have an ERMA approval. 

"Unfortunately, local communities will be left to pick up the tab unless local Councils can find a way to make those who release GMO pay. This is an unfair burden on local communities."

1 September

ARC congratulates Waitakere

The ARC has congratulated Waitakere City Council for meeting all of its responsibilities for old, closed, landfills.

The Council has now met required standards for all of the closed landfill sites in the city that it owns after a major commitment over the last 18 months to complete what has been a 9-year process of investigation and reporting.

"We congratulate the Waitakere City Council for being proactive in sorting these sites out," says the ARC's Waitakere representative, Councillor Paul Walbran. "They're setting a good example for other landowners."

Under the Resource Management Act, the ARC is responsible for making sure that impacts on the environment are minimised from waste disposal activities. The proposed Air, Land and Water Plan being developed by the ARC includes specific rules to govern closed landfill management for the first time.

"As we learn more about the effects from these old landfills, and as the region grows and we need to make efficient use of every bit of land, the rules have got tighter," says Mr Walbran.

There are around 142 old landfills in Waitakere City. Of those, 64 are owned by the Council. Sites that are actively managed by the Council include Ceramco Park in Glen Eden, Archibald Park in Kelston and Corban Reserve, in Henderson.

Old closed landfills are dotted around the whole country. Every local council or landowner with old sites on their property is having to deal with current-day environmental effects caused by these historical activities. Old landfills can pose an environmental risk because they discharge landfill gases and because they leak. The leachate can contaminate groundwater and nearby streams. 

1 September

Waitakere and Vector Meet

Waitakere City Council management met recently with Vector Ltd to discuss issues arising from an accident, in which a young boy was electrocuted.

The meeting, which was held at Vector's request, agreed to a short-term action plan which will see Vector surveying the City and identifying any other risks involving trees and power lines.

The Council will then work with Vector on removing or mitigating those risks.

In the longer term, the two organisations will work to develop a formal agreement or Memorandum of Understanding.

"Vector has partnership agreements with both Manukau City and Auckland which set out each other's roles and responsibilities," says Council spokesman Wally Thomas.

"We have operated under an historical arrangement whereby Vector and their predecessors have trimmed trees."

"We are certainly interested in looking at the agreements that Vector has with other Councils and assessing whether something similar is appropriate here."

Waitakere has also welcomed a Vector initiative to call together power companies and local authorities to try and establish some national guidelines.

1 September

Council considers economic and social impact of Base closure

Waitakere City Council expressed deep concern at the economic and social impact that the closure of Whenuapai air base will have.

The government has announced that the base will be downsized and moved to Ohakea within five years.

At a meeting  on August 27, the Council considered a report from economic analysts NZIER, showing the closure at Whenuapai would see the loss of around 1060 jobs and cost the City around $235 million in economic activity every year. 

"The loss of a major institution like this is a hell of a blow to any community," says Mayor Bob Harvey. "Not only is the economic activity vital for our local economy- and the economy of the Auckland region as a whole- but the social impacts also can't be under-estimated. School rolls will be cut, a number of well-qualified and respected teachers will go and organisations like scouts and sports clubs will also lose membership. Those sorts of social organisations are the glue that holds any community together."

Mayor Harvey likens the base closure to Tokoroa losing its mill and the City of North Shore losing the Naval Base at Devonport.

"This isn't just a place of work," he says. "It has been the hub of the community for 60 years."

Last night the Council also expressed its concern that the closure of the airbase will hinder the capability of the Auckland region's civil defence capacity should a major emergency such as a earthquake occur.

The Council has set up a taskforce, headed by its economic development agency Enterprise Waitakere to assess the impacts of the closure and to work with the government on future options.

The Council would like to see the facilities retained and commercialised as a second airport for the Auckland region.

"Clearly, something will be needed to fill the huge hole that the closure will leave," says Mayor Harvey.

"We have been working closely with government officials and have the support of our own local members of parliament. Whatever happens has to be done right and with the long-term in view, and we look forward to continuing to work with government on this hugely important issue."

1 September

Airbase closure would take $235 million a year out of local economy says report

The closure of Whenuapai Air Base will take some $235 million a year and more than1600 jobs out of the local economy.

These are the main findings of a report on the social and economic impacts of closing Whenuapai, considered by Waitakere City Council on Wednesday, August 27.

The report has been prepared by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research and Corydon Consultants Limited and was commissioned by the city's economic development agency Enterprise Waitakere. The City has established a Mayoral Task Force to evaluate the city's options when the Air Force finally leaves Whenuapai Base for Ohakea in less than five years.

The government is set to receive, next month, a report on options for disposing of the Whenuapai land and facilities.

The Council is promoting the concept of developing Whenuapai as a second commercial airport for the greater Auckland region, and has already been in discussion on the concept with other local bodies, including North Shore and Rodney, and government departments such as the Ministry of Economic Development and the Ministry of Defence.

Earlier this year, Waitakere City signed a Memorandum of Understanding with listed public company Infratil for the development and management of the airport as a commercial operation, should Government and other necessary approvals be granted for the concept. 

The NZIER report puts the value of the direct economic activity created by the Base at $102.7 million a year, and estimates the flow-on effect will be a further decline of $132.2 million a year. 

Similarly, the loss of 1,067 full time equivalent jobs on the Air Force Base would be likely to be accompanied by the loss of a further 586 jobs in Waitakere and parts of the North Shore and Rodney Firms supplying goods and services to the Base will be most affected.

The closure of the Base could result directly in hundreds of houses coming up for sale, falls in school rolls and negative impacts on local recreation groups.

The report notes that Whenuapai has been downsizing since 1992, and the full impact of the withdrawal of the Air Force will be spread over the next few years, which will help reduce the impact of closure.

Mayoral Task Force head Bryan Mogridge says the NZIER report quantifies the drastic impact the closure of Whenuapai Airport would have on the region, but this is not the only reason for advocating the conversion of Whenuapai to a commercial airport.

"From the initial work we have done, the business case for a second commercial airport in the region is compelling.

"Whenuapai is readily accessible for more people than Mangere, and a second airport in the north would make a huge contribution to easing traffic congestion as the region's population to increases.

"If the opportunity of converting Whenuapai to commercial use is passed up, it is difficult to see the region obtaining resource consents for 300 hectares for flat land north of the bridge and adjacent to motorway access for an alternative second airport in the future."

Mr Mogridge said his Task Force will continue to work with the Government on the merits of converting Whenuapai to a commercial airport, and will also promote the concept within the greater Auckland region.

"The Air Force leaving Whenuapai creates a giant problem for Waitakere but it also creates a significant opportunity for the greater Auckland region to secure a vital strategic asset.

"Ultimately the outcome is in the hands of Government, as owner of the land, and we look forward to working closely with them on evaluating the merits of a second commercial airport for the region."

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Whenuapai Airbase social and economic impact study (Size 412K)
An assessment of the potential economic impact on the Waitakere and North West Auckland regional economies.