Media Releases

December 2004

30 December

Mayors urge Kiwis to support tsunami relief

Mayors from throughout the Auckland region are calling on fellow New Zealanders to give generously to the tsunami relief funds.  Some have already returned to work to lend whatever support they can to aid agencies, and to rally their local communities behind the global relief effort.

Mayor of Waitakere City, Bob Harvey, says the Boxing Day Tsunami is a "tragedy on our own doorstep".

"Many members of our own communities have families and friends in the areas that have been terribly stricken.

"We must all we can to assist the aid agencies in their endeavours," he says.

Bob Harvey and North Shore City Mayor George Wood are contacting fellow mayors from throughout New Zealand to discuss the relief response.  Mayor Harvey says New Zealanders are a generous people who help out neighbours and friends in their times of need.

"In response to the recent disaster in Niue, the cities of Manukau and Waitakere each sent a container-load of clothing and appliances to our Pacific neighbours. "We're here to help out again and I call on everybody to do their bit," he says.

Donations can be made to the following organisations:

Red Cross: 0900 31 100 to donate $20
Christian World Service: 0800 74 73 72
Oxfam: 0800 600 700
TEAR Fund: 0800 800 777
World Vision: 0800 80 2000
Save The Children: 0800 167 168
Caritas: 0900 411 11 to donate $20

22 December

Crown Law opinion

Waitakere City Council has welcomed a Crown Law opinion on potential contamination of horticultural soils.

The Minster for the Environment released the legal opinion which concludes that information should not be disclosed on LIM reports under Section 44A(2) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (“LGOIMA”).

But the opinion goes on to say that it is at the discretion of a local authority whether the existence of the 2001 Auckland Regional Council report on horticultural soils should be disclosed under a different section of the act- Section 44A(3).

“That is the view that we have taken all along,” says Vanessa Neeson, chairperson of Waitakere City’s Planning and Regulatory Committee.

“Our approach has been that because there is a possibility of contamination on former horticultural sites, we need to make both owners and prospective buyers aware of that.”

Mrs Neeson says that the whole issue of whether to “tag” a LIM report has placed the Council in a difficult position. “We are between a rock and a hard place. Disclosing what information we know shouldn’t disadvantage the property owner. On the other hand, the majority of LIMs issued by this Council are to prospective purchasers. It is difficult to imagine that a buyer would not consider this sort of information to be relevant to their purchasing decision. It is also not hard to imagine that if we did not disclose the information, and contamination is found later, that we would be facing claims from disgruntled purchasers to meet the costs of testing and remediation.”

“On the one hand we have statutory obligations of disclosure, and the quite right belief of the public that we should be totally transparent in all that we do. On the other hand we are conscious of the effect that some of our actions may have on property owners, and property values.”

She says that the LIM statement currently placed on some properties does not state whether or not the site is contaminated. “Without testing nobody knows. But we do have a duty to flag that there is the possibility.”

Mrs Neeson also points out that the Council has been consistent in its approach since the report on contaminated soils was released by the ARC, in 2001.

“The decision was not taken lightly- and only after very careful consideration of the relevant legal principles. We did not commission the report which is at the heart of this matter; it was commissioned by others who then thrust it upon us and told us to get on with fulfilling our statutory obligations. If there is a fault here, it is that the law (Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act) is not flexible enough to allow such information to be withheld from public disclosure. Simply, if we do not exercise our discretion by flagging the information we could be held to account.”

Mrs Neeson says that the whole issue of potentially contaminated soils will come back to the Council in the New Year, when it may review its approach.

Note: Below is the wording of the LIM statement currently placed on some properties in Waitakere City.

LIM Statement

In 2001 the Auckland Regional Council and the Auckland District Health Board commissioned a report to identify properties previously used for horticultural purposes, as a starting point to establish the extent or otherwise of residual pesticide contamination of soils arising from those former horticultural uses. A copy of that report (Pesticide Residues & Horticultural Soils in the Auckland Region, Working Report No.96) can be obtained from the Auckland Regional Council. This property has been identified by this Council as a site which may previously have been used for horticultural purposes. There is no evidence of whether this property is, or is not, contaminated as a result of any former horticultural use. However, this Council may require soil testing if it is proposed to subdivide the property, establish new activities, or to extend existing activities on the site, depending on the nature and scale of those activities.

This information is provided pursuant to s.44A(3) of the Local Government Official Information & Meetings Act 1987.

22 December

Cultures meet at Waitakere

	Signatories of the Memorandum of Understanding, from left Indraa Pokhel, Abdul Rafik, (both of the Waitakere Ethnic Board) Mayor Bob Harvey, Councillor Peter Chan and Chief Executive Harry O’Rourke.

At the signing of a formal agreement between the City of Waitakere and the Waitakere Ethnic Board last week, Mayor Bob Harvey commended Waitakere City for its long history of racial harmony.

“Waitakere is a place which has always welcomed strangers in freedom and friendship. The new city seized the moment and the potential of extending that welcome with aroha and respect,” said Mayor Harvey who paid tribute to the early settlers in the west – Yugoslavs, Dutch, Pacific migrants and urban Maori who made this city a multicultural celebration.

Mayor Harvey said one of Waitakere’s greatest strengths is that people in the west are colour blind.

“We care about our neighbours and support them in a community spirit second to none. Indeed, we have become a model for 21st Century New Zealand – the Aotearoa in the future.”  Representatives of many cultures were present at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Council and representatives of its ethnic communities last Friday night, a ceremony the mayor described as a very special moment.

	The Pokhrels, a Nepalese family now living in Waitakere, from left, Iona Duda (8), Indraa, Nigya (8) and Bimala Pokhrel.

President of the Waitakere Ethnic Board Abdul Rafik said the signing of the agreement “will not make an iota of difference… unless we open out hearts and our minds together. Then this will become a city of peace. The goodwill of the city will automatically get around to all individuals, whether they be host or migrant.”

Mr Rafik said the agreement signed at Waitakere will be a “shining example for the rest of local bodies in this country. We look forward to establishing a strong robust culture in this city.”
 

21 December

Council supports anti-p music video

The Creative Communities Scheme Allocation Subcommittee has granted $3395 in support of an anti-p music video.

The track will feature King Kapisi, Russ Harris and Tim Hopkins all of whom live in Waitakere City and will also feature other New Zealand musicians.

Production of the music video is the key focus; with the anti-p message an underlying feature.

Producer Tim Hopkins is grateful for the funding; especially with the overall budget at just over $20,000. Having produced five CDs previously, loophole’s lyrics were composed by Hopkins and placed over a jazz arrangement.

The video is scheduled for release March/April 2005.

Other projects which received funding are:

Find out more about the Creative Communities Scheme.

20 December

"Going up, not out, at Te Atatu"

Developers who applied to erect a high rise building at Te Atatu Peninsula were granted consent by Waitakere Council’s Hearings Committee.

The mixed use development at 84 Gunner Drive was considered consistent with the policies and objectives of Waitakere City’s District Plan, the committee decided yesterday.

Two major issues raised by objectors to the project involved concerns of height and shading.

Hearings Chairman Councillor Derek Battersby said Lomond Developments had undertaken to set the building further back to reduce shading and that “expert witnesses said there will be minimal effects of height and shading.

“The development is completely in line with the District Plan – it is medium density housing around transport. We have to make the decision on whether we go up or out” said Councillor Battersby.

A Council report stated that the “establishment and operation of the proposed activity will not lead to a decline in the amenity values of the area.”

The site is in the Harbour View North Special Area, a mix of residential and non-residential activities.

The Council set extra conditions for the building which will have underground parking, one floor of retail, and five levels of high quality apartments.

15 December

Anecdotal account wins J.T. Diamond competition

Ray Ryan’s personal anecdote of uncle and local character Horace Mobbs’ has won the J.T. Diamond essay competition.

Winning Posts details Horace’s efforts to build a boundary fence through part of Centennial Park. Combining personal memories with well-researched information and photographs, it provides a glimpse of the pioneering spirit of early West Auckland.

In its second year, the competition aims to honour the life and work of pioneer historian J.T. (Jack) Diamond through original research into the history of West Auckland. Jack Diamond’s work as a researcher, photographer and amateur historian now resides at Henderson Library and is free to be viewed by the public.

13 December

Cross-cultural understanding at Waitakere City Council

Ethnic communities will formalise their relationship with Waitakere City Council on Friday 17 December at a ceremony attended by representatives from central and local government and Waitakere's migrant and refugee communities.

The signing of a Community Partnership Agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) with the Waitakere Ethnic Board, symbolises the Council’s long-term commitment to engage with ethnic communities.

The MOU with ethnic communities is understood to be a first for New Zealand territorial authorities. Waitakere was one of the first Councils to establish a Maori standing committee of Council (Te Taumata Runanga) and also signed an MOU with the local Pacific Islands Advisory Board in September 1998.

“A lot of councils have formed good relationships with their ethnic communities, but at Waitakere, we decided to go one step further, to formalise the relationship between the City and the Ethnic Board,” says Deputy Mayor Councillor Carolynne Stone.

“The ethnic makeup of Waitakere has changed dramatically in the last 10 years and this move to open the doors to greater cross-cultural understanding demonstrates how seriously we take our responsibilities that every citizen, every culture is empowered to take part in the democratic processes of our City,” says Councillor Stone. Councillor Peter Chan is the first Asian to be elected to the Council, a reflection of the changing nature of the community.

“The Council has a dedicated staff resource to work with the Ethnic Board in identifying additional resource needs to consider for the next financial year,” she says. Council and the Ethnic Board have committed to developing a shared work programme in 2005.

The Waitakere Ethnic Board was established on 20 September 2003, as an outcome of the New Out West Democracy Project with the intention for ethnic communities to have a “voice” in decision making.

The “WEB” has emerged as a result of an ethnic community initiative to be more active in New Zealand Society and democratic processes, to promote settlement and provide advocacy on behalf of a growing part of the Waitakere community.

“Our common goals include social inclusion – to promote acceptance, bringing cultures together, acknowledgement and respect for cultural diversities. Both parties will seek for Waitakere City to become the city of choice for host communities and new settler communities,” says WEB President, Abdul Rafik.

“We are both committed to encouraging and promoting activities that foster greater understanding,” he says.

• For background info see attached from Waitakere Wellbeing Report 2004: Chapter on People/External Migration/Ethnicity/Growth in Ethnicity/Language between 1991 and 2001 pp 14-15 and p17.
• For a hard copy of the Waitakere Wellbeing Report 2004, a 126 page report, (released in July 2004) on some of the key issues facing Waitakere City, please contact us.

Memorandum of Understanding between Waitakere City Council and Waitakere Ethnic Board
When: 6pm Friday 17 December 2004
Where: Waitakere Council Chamber, Civic Centre, 6 Waipareira Ave, Henderson

13 December

Airbase decision

Mayoral Taskforce head Bryan Mogridge is not surprised at news the Defence Force is to remain at Whenuapai Airbase for at least four years.

Some two years ago the government announced all personnel would be moving to Ohakea, with the subsequent loss of around $230 million a year from the local economy. In an effort to replace that void Waitakere City Council campaigned for the base to be retained as a commercial airport.

Today however the Minister of Economic Development, Hon Jim Anderton, said the consolidation of Air Force operations would not be completed until at least 2010 and possibly as late as 2014.

“The Air Force has been an integral part of this community for decades and the whole city was disappointed personnel were to be shipped out,” says Mr Mogridge.

“We simply had to come up with a Plan B and a commercial airport operation just makes sense. But the news they are staying in the medium term at least is a nice Christmas present for Waitakere City.

“Today’s announcement, whilst not entirely unexpected, has brought some short term certainty to residents in the area. This wasn’t just about economics but a lot of social infrastructure, from scout groups to the local primary school were going to be affected by the loss of Air Force personnel and their families.”

Mr Mogridge adds the city was pleased to be able to work positively with the government, in particular Mr Anderton and his officials over the past 12 months.

“This hasn’t been a wasted exercise – between now and when the land is declared surplus to requirements we have a plan of action to move forward on.”

Mr Mogridge says the City will continue to work with NZ Defence. “We are pleased that we are not going to lose the economic value from the base, but over the past few months we have proved that airports are major drivers for economic growth. There are significant opportunities around joint commercial and military use which would be a much more efficient utilisation of the taxpayers’ asset. We will continue to pursue that."

10 December

Council assistance for Earthsong Centre Trust

The Council has approved a $300,000 interest free loan on a three year term to Earthsong Centre Trust to enable a community facility to be built.

It is estimated that the building will be used by the wider community for up to 500 hours of community use every year.

"Partial use of privately owned facilities for community use is actually good value for our money,” says Chairperson of the Finance and Operational Performance Committee, Councillor Janet Clews

“The Council's loan to Earthsong will be at no cost to ratepayers and is absolutely secure as far the property is concerned. It is utterly in accord with the Council's strategic direction. The forgiving of the interest is more than compensated for by the community use that will result from this arrangement,” she says.

Earthsong Eco-Neighbourhood at 457 Swanson Road, Ranui is an innovative “co-housing” community whose members are involved in a large range of organisations in the wider community.

The facility will be used for the wider community and individual visitors to learn about and become involved in exchanges, practical activities, information sharing, education and research related to eco-housing, permaculture practices and social sustainability.

“Earthsong's vision aligns particularly well with the Council's Three Waters objective to demonstrate innovative water management and its Zero Waste, Sustainable Energy and Clean Air, Strong Communities and Active Democracy platforms,” says Councillor Clews,

Construction of the new building is expected to begin in mid 2005.

10 December

Multi-million dollar research consortium to develop future housing

The nationally trailblazing Now Home project took its first step towards construction today (9th December) with a ground turning ceremony in New Lynn, Waitakere City.

The project is focussed on developing an affordable house that is as energy, water and resource efficient as possible using technologies, systems and materials available today.

It will demonstrate the huge advances in running costs, resource efficiency and health promoting environments that can be achieved within a modern, attractive, sustainable design.

The house will reduce its energy and water needs – and thus the cost to run it. Energy costs are reduced significantly through: insulation; natural heat gain, efficient ventilation and energy efficient appliances and lighting. Materials will also be made from renewable sources requiring a minimum energy input to their manufacture.

Water is managed through a mixture of efficient plumbing systems and fittings, and the use of rain water and grey-water for non-drinking purposes.

Beacon Pathway Consortium Chairman Andrew Reding and Waitakere Deputy Mayor Carolynne Stone turf the site of the Now Home in New Lynn while Annika Lane, Senior Analyst, looks on."

The resulting warm dry environment within the house will also be inherently healthier than in many houses.

The ground turning ceremony was carried out by Waitakere Deputy Mayor Carolynne Stone and Beacon Pathway Consortium Chairman Andrew Reding.

The Beacon Pathway Consortium comprises Waitakere City Council, Fletcher Building, Forest Research, and the Building Research Association of New Zealand. This group is funding the $12 million six-year research project that is developing the Now Home project, 50-50 with the Foundation for Research, Science & Technology.

The Now Home is being developed as a practical example of what is achievable now, to lead New Zealand to a situation where the great majority of New Zealand homes embody a high level of sustainability by 2012.

Achieving this objective will not only have benefits to the home occupiers but will have significant economic value to New Zealand as a whole. Every healthy living environment helps to reduce the cost on the national health system: every reduction in energy and water demand helps in the national management of both, hopefully delaying the need for massive new infrastructure like water supply dams and new power stations.

Each of the partners has a proven commitment to sustainable housing and a better built environment. The Consortium provides an excellent example of collaboration between local government, researchers and industry and between the public and private sectors.

Forest Research is New Zealand’s largest biomaterials research organisation. New Zealand-based Fletcher Building manufactures and distributes building materials, as well as constructing residential and commercial buildings. BRANZ is the largest investor in New Zealand building research, and Waitakere City Council is a recognised leader as New Zealand’s first Eco City committed to promoting and developing a city that is sustainable.

Other stakeholders include the EcoMatters Trust, which is a neighbour and project collaborator and the Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority, which has contributed to developing the design of the house and assisted with the research bid.

The Now Home Project Team has had to use materials that are energy and resource efficient, are available now, easy to locate and within a total budget of $180,000. It is hoped that the Home will create the platform from which the next generation of New Zealand housing is developed.

The Now Home is not a “Show Home” but more of a research home that will house a family for two years and monitored for its performance. It will be open to the public from time to time, but on a very limited basis because of the need to preserve the integrity of the research project and to respect the privacy of its tenants. However, the Consortium will ensure that information about the Home and its performance will be made available through a variety of media – including virtual tours of the Home.

The next challenge will be to apply the lessons learned from the Now Home to the retrofit market (existing houses) – and to the broader issues of neighbourhood design.

Beacon Pathway Ltd aims to build partnerships with other organisations that have similar goals – in New Zealand and overseas, and is seeking interest from other large private and public organisations to join the consortium.

8 December

$4,500 fine for ‘wilful and deliberate’ offence under RMA

A Titirangi man was given a severe warning in the Auckland District Court today for his persistence in building an “amateurish”, “unstable” and illegal structure on a Council road reserve and his own land.

Roy Fowler was given a deterrent penalty of $4,500 and ordered to pay costs by Judge McElrea for carrying out building work without consent in a slip-sensitive area in Woontens Lane

In sentencing Roy Fowler, Judge McElrea said that the concrete block structure erected by Mr Fowler was unstable and in danger of collapsing and tumbling down a steep bank on to a property below.

The Judge said Mr Fowler had previously received a “very clear warning” in the High Court about the illegal nature of his building work.

Despite numerous requests by Council officers, Mr Fowler persisted with the work, claiming he didn’t need consent for the work, that God was his authority.

He was convicted and fined in 1998 for a similar offence - excavation and building at his property without consent – after which the matter went to the High Court where the penalty was increased. That conviction was taken into account by the Judge in today's sentencing. Judge McElrea noted that there was a need for a deterrent penalty.

In July this year, Mr Fowler was convicted of four offences*. The Court imposed an enforcement order requiring removal of the structure and stabilisation works, based on geotechnical advice that the land under and around the structure was unstable and at risk of collapse.

Mr Fowler did not comply with the enforcement order and the Council carried out the work at a cost of almost $20,000, for which it has invoiced Mr Fowler.

The $4,500 fine was imposed for only one of the charges (building on a stability-sensitive area) and the Judge said that if he re-offends within the next year, a fine of about $10,000 would be imposed for the other three charges.

He told Mr Fowler if he were “not such an old person” he would be looking at the possibility of imprisonment.

Chair of Waitakere City’s Planning and Regulatory Committee Vanessa Neeson said that Mr Fowler’s earthworks and excavations undermined the support for the road reserve. “I hope he has learned his lesson this time,” she said.

*An offence under the Building Act 1991 and the contravention of four District Plan Rules being an offence under the Resource Management Act 1991.

8 December

Feedback urged on ‘holistic’ approach to prostitution

Public submissions on issues relating to prostitution in Waitakere City will be called for after the Christmas break.

The Planning and Regulatory Committee yesterday resolved that the submission period on the Council’s Work Programme Update and Draft Policy Statement on the Prostitution Reform Act 2003 will start on January 31 2005 and end on 14 March.

Chair of the Planning and Regulatory Committee Councillor Vanessa Neeson urges public input to help develop Council’s policy on the sex industry.

She says Council planners suggest a holistic and collaborative approach to assess the effects of the Act, not in isolation, but in combination with issues such as drugs, alcohol, crime and violence.

Councillor Neeson says she “accepts that people have concerns. That’s very natural, but it is important for them not to remain silent, but to bring their concerns into the open so they can be part of the process. The Council has prepared drafts for discussion which are available on request.

“We expect to work with the community through a robust, transparent process. The Committee wanted to miss the Christmas period to give people time to prepare submissions,” she says.

Dependant on the final policy, a bylaw on location and signage may be drafted and a District Plan change to manage the sex industry’s environmental effects.

“We are keen to respond in an appropriate way and ensure any controls over the commercial sex industry are reasonable, practicable and equitable. Potential negative impacts on the community are of prime concern” says Councillor Neeson.

7 December

Hip-hopping to school safely

The Fruitvale Freestylers show off their moves to a special assembly.

Pieces of the road safety jigsaw are falling into place at Waitakere’s Fruitvale School, where children are performing hip-hop dances to promote walking to school.

Thinking outside the square has resulted in less traffic congestion, as more children are choosing not to ride to school – it’s way more cool to walk.

For example, one class which had seven children walking to school, there are now 27 walking. ”The walking school bus is full. I see it bouncing along the bottom road when I’m on duty on the top road. It looks so cute it actually brings tears to my eyes! The children think it’s really cool. They would be quite upset if they were taken off it for some reason” she says.

Senior Road Safety Co-ordinator Kitch Cuthbert says the Walking School Bus is a “little piece in a jigsaw of a larger plan. There are seven to eight things the partnership is doing to improve the safety situation at Fruitvale, including signage, new footpaths and pedestrian refuges at strategic spots.

The children’s enthusiasm for walking to and from school has increased to the point Fruitvale School was named one of the top Auckland schools in “Walk To School Week” in October, after which the walking hip-hop group of 18 performed for Auckland Mayors including Dick Hubbard and George Wood.

“The School Travel Plan has created an enormous amount of interest and has encouraged parents and children to walk, instead of using the car. The partnership with the School and Council looking at ways people travel has shown that people are using cars for very short journeys,” says School Travel Planner Sue Kendall.

The Fruitvale School Travel Plan will be formally launched at 9am on December 10. Officiating will be the new CEO of Auckland Regional Transport Authority Alan Thompson and Waitakere City Deputy Mayor Carolynne Stone. They will be accompanying the Walking School Bus.

Note: For the following you will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer in order to view and print this document.  For help opening PDF files or tips on copying information see Helpful Tips.

Fruitvale School Travel Plan (Size 785K)

7 December

Henderson’s station may join historic cluster

Henderson’s Railway Station is poised to join a cluster of historic buildings at the Corban Estate Arts Precinct on Great North Rd, Henderson, provided it gets resource consent for the move.  Application for a notified Resource Consent was made on 29 November and submissions close on 25 January.

Restoration works are planned for the old wooden building which played an integral part in Henderson's early development.

The move is supported by the Henderson Heritage Trust, says Trust Chairman Michael Joyce.
“We have been trying to find a position such as the Corban Estate for the past three years, especially as the lease of the present site runs out in two years.

“If Henderson Station is to have a future use in the community, it needs to go somewhere where it will be fully restored, in proximity to other buildings of the same age with reasonable public access and parking.

There is not much future for the station in its present position, now that the new era of transport is about to unfold at Henderson with the double tracking. It is continually being vandalised and marked with graffiti,” says Mr Joyce

The station, built in 1912, was a central transport hub in the transformation of Henderson from a mill settlement to the centre of an agricultural and horticultural district.

Auckland Regional Transport Network Limited which holds the lease on the station, is due to start double tracking on the Western Line, when funds become available (possibly before Easter).

Relocating the station is a Non-Complying Activity under Waitakere City‘s District Plan and submissions supporting or opposing the application will be received by the Council until 25 January 2005 at Private Bag 93 109, Henderson, Waitakere City.

Details of the Council’s application can be viewed at the Waitakere City Council, the New Lynn Service Centre and at all Waitakere City Libraries or contact us.

7 December

Quartet of Mayors to sing at Christmas in the Park

Waitakere’s Bob Harvey will join Mayoral colleagues on stage at Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park.

Mayors Harvey, Sir Barry Curtis (Manukau), Dick Hubbard (Auckland), and George Wood (North Shore) have conspired to perform “Deck the Halls” at Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park this Saturday night.

Artistic Director Kate Ward-Smythe says that we owe thanks to Mayor Harvey for drumming up support from his three counterparts. She has been busy ever since trying to co-ordinate rehearsals, yet because of their busy schedules, the four will not sing together until the day before the event.

“We are fortunate there is a Mayoral forum in town on Friday,” she says. “They will rehearse together for 15 minutes in the Auckland Town Hall, then attend our dress rehearsals in the Auckland Domain (on Friday evening and Saturday),” she says.

Whether the Mayors can sing or not is another story, about which Kate has no qualms. “We haven’t heard them sing, but Deck the Halls is a song that suits all types of voices- even tone deaf people can shout their lines with gusto. It will be great. I have full faith in them,” she enthuses.

Coca-Cola spokesperson Annette Chillingworth says the Mayors are going to top off what is a fantastic line up of talent at this year’s event. “Coca-Cola has supported New Zealand music for many years. The talent at this year’s Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park ranges from school aged youth through to veterans of the music industry. The line up is a great reflection of how far we have come.”

Proceeds from Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park 2004 will benefit Youthline and funds raised will help extend the youth Help Line service - a free phone service providing the first point of contact for thousands of young people seeking help - to a 24-hour 7-days a week service.

Goldenhorse will also be joining the Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park gang. Goldenhorse are one of New Zealand’s most popular and appealing bands: their song ‘Maybe Tomorrow’ was the most performed New Zealand song on radio for 2003, and sales of their debut album ‘Riverhead’ have gone Triple Platinum. Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park is hosted by Jeremy Corbett, Kelly Swanson-Roe and Petra Bagust.

3 December

Whenuapai equals jobs, jobs, and getting to work quicker

• Waitakere City Council and New Zealand infrastructure investment company Infratil are committed to developing a commercial airport as soon as possible. There are many airports around the world where military and commercial users co-exist and delay puts the opportunity at risk.
  
• Before civil use can start it will be necessary to agree commercial and operating terms with Government/Defence and to gain regulatory approvals (through the Resource Management Act) in respect of environmental consents and civil aviation regulations. Several airlines have indicated they favour using Whenuapai to provide air services to other NZ centres, eastern Australia and the Pacific Islands.
  
• The concept is supported by most Auckland local bodies, as well as the Auckland Regional Council, and by most Aucklanders - professional opinion polls have consistently shown support across the region. 
  
• Business and tourism operators in the region’s north and west and the majority of residents strongly support Whenuapai and understand the benefits of being better connected. Auckland City is a supporter for the same reason (notwithstanding also being Auckland International Airport’s largest shareholder). Another supporter, Rodney District, is the fastest growing region in the North Island.
  
• More people (potential travellers) already live closer to Whenuapai than to Mangere. Projections are that more than a million people will live in the west and north of the Auckland Region and this is the only possible site for a second airport to serve that rapidly growing population.
  
  
• While Whenuapai will have a positive impact on the creation of jobs in Auckland’s west and north and in reducing transport congestion, it will only ever be a small cousin to AIA. AIA’s calculation is that by 2020 Whenuapai will have 26,000 annual aircraft movements (about the same as now). By 2020 AIA estimates it will be serving 200,000 annual aircraft movements. Claims that Whenuapai could impact the viability of Mangere’s second runway or result in higher charges are absurd.
  
• If Whenuapai is not retained as an airport, Waitakere City Council and the Auckland Regional Council have determined that its alternative use is as lifestyle blocks. It will not be developed for intensive residential or industrial use as these applications would be inconsistent with the Auckland Regional Growth Strategy. Whenuapai is outside of the Metropolitan Urban Limit.
  
• If the Airport is closed it will mean the withdrawal of Defence’s $230 million of annual economic stimulation to the economy of Waitakere City. It will mean huge site remediation costs, including some 46,000 truckloads of debris to dispose of the concrete runways alone. It will also mean that ultimately Waitakere City and its ratepayers will have to bear the cost of services upgrades (such as sewerage), which are conservatively estimated at more than $20 million. These costs to the City will not be balanced by any economic gains
   
• Waitakere City Council has been accused of wanting a “sweetheart deal” that will somehow adversely impact Government and Auckland Airport’s finances. In fact, in the joint Waitakere/Infratil submission to Defence and in the follow up proposal to the joint ministries working group it has been made clear that Waitakere/Infratil are prepared to pay fair value for land and facilities (based on its value as an airport). Only by working in partnership with Waitakere City Council will the Crown optimise the value of the site.
   
• AIA is visited by over 21 million people a year, approximately 45% of whom are flying. Less than half its income is from aeronautical charges. Its growth requires huge investment in roads, which it wants tax and ratepayers to finance. AIA is a monopoly. Whenuapai promotes commercial competition and choice for travellers.

3 December

Library starts at New Lynn

 

“We have finally got to the point where the library is starting. I’m sure New Lynn’s ratepayers will watch the construction with interest. The project is an exciting one, it will complement existing features such as New Lynn’s war memorial,” he says.

“The new building and public space will be a place for people to enjoy spending time. This will give the town centre a real heart, and promote increased activity in the town centre,” says Cr Battersby.

The contract to build the Library Project has been let to Watts and Hughes Construction Company, which built the New Lynn Community Centre. During construction, 40 parks in the Memorial Drive Carpark will be fenced off, leaving approximately 190 parks.

The $4.5 million project is part of the Auckland Regional Growth Strategy which encourages people to live, work and play locally, in quality spaces and amenities.

The Library Project is expected to be a social and cultural storehouse for New Lynn and the wider area. It will also provide access to electronic information through a computerised learning centre.

Designed by architects CraigCraigMoller, the 1,000 square metre building will more than double the size of the existing library. It will feature a large verandah and the entry will front onto Memorial Square.

Dramatic art works in bas-relief, depicting New Lynn’s history and culture, will be features of the sheltering wall along McCrae way to the south east .

Inside the library, there will be informal study areas for adults and children with views to the landscaped areas outside in the adults’ section. Subject to external funding being obtained, the library will also feature a ceramic heritage display.

Eco-building principles will be used to provide low energy consumption and the use of renewable resources.

The Library Project is due to be finished in August 2005.

1 December

Music next big thing

Waitakere City’s next big leap forward is music according to Mayor Bob Harvey.

“For a city crazy about sound and music there is a deafening music silence in the west,” he says.

“Waitakere’s music is heard in other areas, in other cities both nationally and internationally, but we just don’t hear it here. Waitakere is full of hip-hop geniuses and, would you believe, recording studios and we simply don’t hear about or see them.”

Mr Harvey recently spoke to a group of the world’s best soundtrack authors brought to New Zealand to help showcase the country’s talent who were very enthusiastic about the talent out west.

“Here were composers from Gladiator, Oceans 12, Troy and other American blockbusters raving about the talent here and asking me what I was doing about it,” says Mr Harvey.

“Well, I’m going to do something big. Over the next two to three years it is my intention to showcase our young performance musicians – hip-hop artists, rockers, song writers, studios – and their talent. I will be looking for a venue for a performance base, both indoor and out, and by the end of February we will have a compilation of our musicians by street, area and performance – a databook much the same as we have catalogued our artists.

“Waitakere is going to have an amazing music map.”

If you would like to register for the databook please contact us.

1 December

Harbour Under Pressure

A study into the condition of the Upper Waitemata Harbour has found that while much of the harbour is generally in good condition, some creeks are under increasing pressure from development.

Over the past two years a comprehensive investigation into predicted future contaminant levels from land use changes around the Harbour has been undertaken. The investigation is part of a study jointly funded by the Auckland Regional Council, Waitakere City, North Shore City and Rodney District councils and Transit New Zealand.

The contaminant investigation shows that concentrations of copper and zinc in some estuaries within the Upper Waitemata are beginning to reach levels that could impact on aquatic life-forms.

Chair of the Auckland Regional Council’s Environmental Management committee, Dianne Glenn says that the study highlights the threat that contaminants could have on the Upper reaches of the harbour. “The Upper Waitemata Harbour is surrounded by areas where development is well underway. If we want the main harbour and surrounding estuaries to continue to be in good condition then we need to seriously look at what we can do now, not in 10 years time when it may be too late.”

ARC Project Manager Bridget Thompson says a range of approaches will help to minimise effects on the diversity of the Upper Waitemata.

“For instance improving stormwater treatment in some parts of the harbour will be more effective in slowing rates of contaminant build-up than in others, where source control and changes to land use and development are more likely to achieve this end.”

A Policy Working Group, with representatives from the four councils involved, has been formed to use the findings of the studies to identify the implications of development in the area, and the decisions that will need to be made to ensure protection of the upper harbour.

This group is expected to report its findings early in 2005.