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Economics Minister visits Waitakere City film set
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The Minister of Economic Development visited Waitakere
recently for a look around the set of the movie he helped to secure for
New Zealand. Jim Anderton made a point of visiting the film set of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at the Waitakere City-owned film studios in Henderson Valley Road and the Air Force hangars at Hobsonville Airbase. He played a key role in making sure the film came to New Zealand, through the government’s tax incentive scheme |
| The multi-million dollar film by Disney and
Walden Media employs up to 500 people. Later in the day, he discussed general business issues with prominent Waitakere business players including Peter Babich, Graeme Douglas, John Barnett (South Pacific Pictures), Julie Salthouse (Salthouse Marine), Mark Gunton (Westland Developments), Tim Livingstone (accountant) and Murray Spearman (CEO of the Trusts). |
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People suffering health problems from living in cold, damp houses could be
eligible for $2000 worth of energy saving measures under the EcoWise West home
retrofit project.
The project, now in its second year, helps households on low incomes and those
affected by health problems associated inadequately insulated housing.
The aim is to create warmer, drier, healthier homes by providing householders
most at need with basic energy efficiency retrofit, using local labour.
Several organisations, including the Waitemata District Health Board and
Waitakere City Council, aim to improve local housing. The retrofits are being
carried out by EcoMatters Environment
Trust.
Chair of Waitakere City’s
Environmental Management Committee
Councillor Penny Hulse says
the project is a “prime example of delivering multiple outcomes, incorporating
all aspects of sustainability.
“The householders will see improvements to their family’s health and cheaper
heating bills. The Council will make progress towards its climate change,
employment and wellbeing objectives. And in the long term, the District Health
Board may see a reduction in health problems caused by cold, damp housing,” says
Councillor Hulse.
Waitemata District Health Board’s CEO Dr Dwayne Crombie says this project “fits
very well with the aims of our Child Health and Chronic Care projects. Damp,
cold homes contribute to hospital admissions, and are especially a factor for
anyone who has a respiratory problem."
Funding for the project has been allocated through the Energy Efficiency and
Conservation Authority’s ‘Energy Wise Home Grants Scheme’. Co-funders of the
project include the Waitemata District Health Board, Work and Income New
Zealand. The project, which will see 150 homes retrofitted will be managed by
EcoMatters Environment Trust.
Underfloor and ceiling insulation, damp-proofing, hot water cylinder wraps and
draught stopping will be installed by the EcoMatters team.
EcoMatters Environment Trust has received letters of thanks from grateful
householders who were recipients of the retrofit work carried out as part of
year one of the project.
One recipient said before the retrofit that the condensation used to drip off
the windowsills onto the floor every day.
“Since your excellent work in insulating our home, we have had no condensation.
Our house feels warmer, too,” wrote one householder.
Another said: “This year I have not had any sick children this winter –
unbelievable. No flu, respiratory problems or doctors and chemists’ bills as
formerly…I compliment also the well mannered and enthusiastic young men who
completed the installation.”
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West Wave’s newest staff member promises to be splashin’
good fun. Hydro (short for hydrosaurus) will be out and about promoting water safety and swimming programmes at West Wave and future community events. Swimming programmes at West Wave aim to give all residents the opportunity to learn to swim in a safe, fun and friendly environment. |
| Chosen by West Wave staff for its embodiment of water safety principles, Hydro was created after an extensive colouring and naming competition for Waitakere kids. | |
Waitakere youth with disabilities are invited to a
free disco at the
Kelston Community Centre
on 20 August. Organised by the Council, it will run from 7.30 to 10.30pm.
The disco is designed for youth aged 13 - 20 years old with a physical
disability. Able bodied friends are also welcome and mobility transport
will be provided for those who require it.
Parents who wish to remain with students can do so in another room.
Consultation between the Council and Waitakere College’s Physical Disabilities
unit discovered that students were reasonably pleased with Council efforts to
meet the needs of disabled youth but felt unsafe and out of place at able bodied
discos.
An annual plan submission resulted in $3000 set aside specially for this disco.
Waitakere City could have more than 10,000 extra square metres of commercial
property and 100 or more extra apartments as a result of plans to develop land
adjacent to the new
Waitakere Central complex in Henderson Valley Road.
This new commercial space could create up to 800 new jobs – at no cost to
ratepayers.
Options for the new developments were unveiled at a meeting of the Council
today, by Waitakere Properties Limited.
The developments will be on two hectares of the old Carter Holt Harvey site not
being used for the new Civic Centre and Square, Council Offices, parking and air
bridge to the Bus/Rail passenger terminal.
Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey welcomes the
proposals as the remaining essential part of the proposed CBD development to be
tackled.
“We are delivering what we said we would deliver about a year ago,” he says
“We have rolled out the Waitakere Central concept, secured Infrastructure
Auckland funding for the bus/rail interchange, sold the Civic Centre and now we
have the final piece in this part of the jigsaw – proposals for the commercial
development of the balance of the Carter Holt land.”
Four different options were described to the Council in principle. They range
from two to six stories high and would possibly incorporate commercial offices,
retail, high density residential, community services developments and a hotel.
It is expected that the options will include various blends of commercial and
residential activity.
While no final decisions were made, the Council authorised WPL to continue
investigating the four different configurations and to seek high quality tenants
for the commercial properties.
The options include commercial offices located adjacent the Civic complex to
create a commercial hub within the Waitakere Central area. Likely tenants
include the film industry and professional services. These might be around three
to four stories high.
Retail opportunities are limited by the zoning, but there is the potential for a
range of retail businesses and services to serve the other activities. Examples
might include a café and/or a small supermarket and various commercial services.
A high density apartment development is also considered a strong possibility.
Other options possibly include a hotel or motor-lodge, as is accommodation for
some community services operations, such as child care facilities.
A car-park building is also being investigated for the southern part of the
Waitakere Central site.
Who’s next?
Nominations are now open for your favourite Westies to be etched into stone as
part of the 2004 Walkway of Fame.
People can make their nomination
online.
The walkway is in Catherine Mall, Henderson.
Henderson Community Board
Chairperson Helen Jones says it’s always interesting to see the names that come
forward for nomination.
“We all take a lot of pride when other ‘westies’ do well, and there is a real
sense of shared achievement at each unveiling,“ she says.
| This year, a further two recipients will have their hand or foot
imprint etched into granite slabs in the walkway along with suitable
text acknowledging their achievements. Criteria for selection are that the person must be nationally or internationally recognised and they must have been born, lived, or have worked in the Waitakere area. Past recipients, who include rugby legend Michael Jones, author Maurice Shadbolt and world champion athlete Beatrice Faumuina, have come from a cross section of the arts, sport, politics, Maoridom and the community. The Henderson Community Board will decide on the latest two recipients based on public nominations with an “unveiling” ceremony planned for late October or early November. |
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Where to from here?
Waitakere City’s Environmental
Management Committee has decided on a course of action for how to manage
genetically modified organisms in the City.
In November 2001 Waitakere City was declared GE-Free in field and food, but the
use of genetic modification for medical purposes and research in a laboratory
situation was not opposed.
The Committee decided to maintain the status quo that it will be involved as an
interested party in Environmental Risk Management Authority processes and to
continue to consult with the Organics business sector on the implications of
commercial release of genetically modified organisms for the city.
The Council will take part in a GE discussion group made up of four Northland
Councils and Local Government New Zealand. All relevant information will be
collated and used in the public consultation process of Waitakere’s future
attitude towards genetically modified organisms during the Review of the Long
Term Council Community Plan 2006/2016.
Environmental Committee Chair
Councillor Penny Hulse says that it is possible that analysis of the
District Plan GE options could begin straightaway, but that this could be
premature.
“By far the better option is for the Council to analyse the issues surrounding
genetically modified organisms in the broader view afforded by
LTCCP.
The Waitakere Sports Complex will
be opened on time – and on target by the Prime Minister during a weekend of
celebrations on 11-12 September.
The public will be able to see Waitakere’s new world class community facility
from Mid August 2004.
The Trusts Stadium $27m leisure precinct on 5ha leased Waitakere City land
includes features such as a sculptured climbing wall inside the stunning,
futuristic stadium, indoor running track, health and fitness gymnasium, a 500
seat function centre, 6 indoor courts and a sporting wall of fame at the
5000-seat Trusts’ Stadium. The complex includes rugby and soccer fields, an
international standard all weather running track and extensive landscaped green
fields for passive leisure activities.
“Waitakere now has a top sporting and leisure facility that will be the leading
model in this country. The Trusts are very close to completing the stadium debt
free. There is an opportunity for the public to donate towards the Trusts
Stadium unique sporting project through a series of funding packages which
include name recognition and tickets to events and openings during the exciting
opening weekend” says Councillor
Ross Dallow, chairman of the WRST who are the builders, owners and managers
of the stadium. Funding packages can be obtained by
contacting us.
“This is a unique opportunity which Council has been happy to be involved in, to
create an environment for sport, recreation, leisure, entertainment and social
contact right here in Waitakere” says Cr Dallow.
Activity starts this month with the opening of The Trusts Stadium to the public
on mid August and the first Breakers game on 29 August in the Australian
National Basketball League which will be broadcast live in Australia and New
Zealand.
| Waitakere City has joined an international programme empowering local
governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Over 500 local governments throughout the world have joined the Communities for Climate Protection (CCP) programme which will be launched in New Zealand at the Local Government New Zealand Conference on 28 July. |
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Waitakere City has actively lobbied for the
establishment of a programme of this type for several years says Chair
of the
Environmental Management Committee
Penny Hulse. The Committee decided that the Waitakere City will join the programme and work towards achieving the Communities for Climate Protection programme’s “five milestones”, of identifying key sources of greenhouse emissions, setting an emissions reduction goal, carrying out a local “greenhouse action plan” and monitoring actions |
| “We have the necessary resources to fulfil all five requirements straight off,
without any extra strain on the current budget (apart from a $1200 joining fee).
The climate protection programme dovetails perfectly with
Waitakere’s Sustainable Energy
and Clean Air platform of the Long
Term Council Community Plan,” says Councillor Hulse. |
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| Benefits of the programme’s initiatives include improving air quality by
reducing reliance on fossil fuels, social, environmental and employment benefits
and the development of new markets and industries. Waitakere City Council
already undertakes a range of initiatives that could be grouped under the
heading of “Greenhouse Actions”, such as its energy efficiency, transport and
green building activities. The programme will strengthen these actions by giving
Council a more structured framework to work in as well as offering valuable
opportunities for information exchange with communities around the globe. ICLEI (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives) has been contracted by the New Zealand Climate Change Office, within the Ministry for the Environment, to deliver CCP. ICLEI has a long track record of working with local government to achieve sustainable development, running a variety of campaigns which help local governments generate political awareness of key issues, build capacity through technical assistance and training, and evaluate on-going efforts. ICLEI’s Chief Executive Officer Wayne Wescott told the Environmental Management Committee meeting about cumulative action achieved by Australia’s 184 CCP member Councils, resulting in CO2 reduction of 1.8 million tonnes (equivalant to taking 100 000 cars off the road), $3.3 million investment in new jobs and $67 million inversted in greenhouse abatement. |
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Mark Strange, Senior Conservator of Photographs at the National Library, Wellington, says the collection is one of the richest and most comprehensive collections on this area. Mr Strange has provided conservation treatment as part of the process of making ready hundreds of plates for digitisation. In all, the project will include over 6,000 images mostly from film (acetate and nitrate) negatives as well as those on glass. Some negatives have deteriorated over time due to poor storage. Mr Strange gently cleans each glass plate with a mix of ethanol and water; however he doesn’t retouch any of the images. Therefore, images scanned into the database are not necessarily perfect.
The large number of informal family images is unusual for glass plate
collections of this period (the 1920s and 1930s), particularly in the
portfolios of professional photographers. |
The new Glen Eden Library is a step closer to completion. |
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15 July
Project Twin Streams has had another successful planting, with
Swanson Stream’s banks receiving over 1700 new plants on Sunday. |
15 July
Two schools in Waitakere are taking a proactive approach to keep
their students safe. |
Waitakere City Council’s Environmental Management Committee today,
unanimously agreed to continue with the Swanson Structure Plan process, in a
move described as offering a way forward for increased protection for the
Waitakere Ranges.
Committee chair, Councillor
Penny Hulse, says that allowing the Structure Plan
process to proceed, may open the way to mediation between those opposing the
Structure Plan and those supporting it.
This could also clear the way for re-uniting a divided community, to agree on
the way to provide increased – and permanent – protection for the Ranges, she
says.
The Structure Plan governs the amount of subdivision that is permitted in the
area.
The Plan process was placed on hold late last year by the Council, after
numerous appeals to the Environment Court.
“It was thought then, that it might be better to step back and create a vision
covering the whole Waitakere ranges and foothills. Swanson could have fitted
into that overall plan, rather than being considered in isolation,”
Councillor Hulse says.
Since then an Environment Court decision has upheld the right of a local couple
to subdivide their property.
“That meant we had to revisit the subject and I think the right outcome was
reached, in this case,” says
Councillor Hulse.
“The Structure Plan process doesn’t mean automatic subdivision. Indeed, many of
the landowners have been very clear they don’t want to subdivide. Nor does the
Environment Court have to permit subdivision. However, the process does give
people equal rights to support or oppose development, in an objective forum,
either in mediation or - if necessary – in court,” she says.
Councillor Hulse says that while some environmentalists might be disappointed by
the decision, it had the potential to unite the community in the common goal of
protecting the Waitakere Ranges.
“The fact is that virtually all of these people are united on the need to get
really good protection for the Ranges and foothills, permanently. The main
disputes were over what might be possible in relatively small areas like
Swanson.
“Environmentalists feared any subdivision might be the thin edge of the wedge
but landowners themselves are talking about the need for prohibited activities
in the area, which is exactly what the environmentalists want.
“So, when we get down to the detail, I think we’ll find the areas for dispute
are very small and the areas of common agreement are very large,” she says.
A new local bylaw amendment will have residents checking if their official building number matches that of their letterbox. The amendment enforces minimum size requirements for number markings on all buildings in Waitakere City. For most people, it will mean a quick check and very little hassle. Compare the number on your letterbox with the property location contained in your rates account. If the numbers are different ring the Council Call Centre to sort out the inconsistency. If you do need to change your number, New Zealand Post will provide a two month free redirection service to residential households. Emergency services such as the Fire Service have had trouble in the past identifying commercial residences. While many have a postal box for their mail, their buildings are often not signposted, in particular Chief Fire Officer for Waitakere District Bill Ellis says, “Correct markings on buildings will save lives. Fires double in size with every minute we lose trying to find the right address, causing considerable extra loss and extra risk to life.” Councillor Derek Battersby, Chairman of the Emergency Services Special Committee, says, “This amendment is in the interests of public safety for the people of Waitakere City. Easier recognition of buildings means emergency services can act quicker and with greater efficiency.” Why is it important to have the right number on your letterbox? Here are four reasons why; • Misdirected mail should become a thing of the past. • The emergency services will be able to find the right place first time. • To ensure prompt and accurate information on your property. • The Council must provide an accurate database to Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) as part of a national standard. The new minimum sizes for markings are: |
The Trusts’ Trash to Fashion® Awards are underway for 2004. The call is out for creative people to recycle the rubbish around them into costumes for the stage. Those wishing to take part must register by 30th July. Entrants have until 16th October to deliver completed garments, which are then showcased at two special award nights in early December.
Trash to Fashion® attracts entries from a variety of cultures and age groups including school students. Project Director Amanda Wright says that it provides a platform for emerging and established designers to experiment with how ‘recycling’ fits into contemporary design and fashion:
“The garments always inspire a reaction – the audience is fascinated with how disposable items can be reinvented. In the process of making them the designers have to take a second look at what’s possible with so-called ‘throwaway’ objects.”
Entrants compete for prize money across eight categories with the Supreme Award valued at $4,000, runner-up $1,000. Winners of the adult categories each receive $1,000, runner-up $500.
Amanda Wright says the range of categories allows plenty of scope for designers to create wild and imaginative costumes from the futuristic to the glamorous: “We’ve described the categories using language from the digital age but designers can interpret each category however they wish. The menswear section proved such a hit last year with the audience, that it’s now a permanent part of the show.
The ultimate aim of Trash to Fashion® is to deliver the ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ message in a fun and celebratory way.” Originated by Keep Waitakere Beautiful and run by Waitakere City Council, the Trash to Fashion® event is now in its ninth year with “The Trusts” as the new naming rights sponsor.
For a registration form visit www.trashtofashion.com or phone the Council’s 24-hour Call Centre
In awarding Waitakere a commendation for Sustainable Development Reporting by a Local Authority, the Institute’s judges said that Waitakere City broke new ground dealing with the philosophy of the legislation. The Institute’s Report Awards are held annually to encourage organisations to maintain a high standard of business reporting. This year’s Awards attracted a record number of entries. The judges noted that it is a “challenge for local authorities to disclose relevant sustainability in an innovative way, in addition to fulfilling statutory requirements.” They said the report “provided a clear definition of sustainability development reporting and its reporting boundaries, along with excellent coverage of the way it engaged with shareholders and identification of stakeholder information needs.” Waitakere was also a finalist in the public Sector Entities – Local Government Category. Chair of Waitakere’s Finance and Policy
Committee, Councillor Janet Clews is delighted with the outcome. |
The state of social wellbeing in Waitakere City will be discussed by a network of over 80 government and community agencies this month
A key document on the state of the city’s wellbeing will be circulated to participants at the Waitakere Wellbeing Summit 2004, being held on 16 July and 20 August.
On July 16, discussion will centre on the current situation in Waitakere, as
reflected in the 126-page “Waitakere
Wellbeing Report 2004”, while the theme of
the August 20 Summit asks the question “Are we on track?”
The first session will involve presentations to update the “collective portrait”
of what is happening in Waitakere and discussions on what needs to be done in
the future – collectively or by individual groups or agencies
The second morning’s focus is on the future to check if current strategies are working, or if new paths need to be considered.
“By splitting the sessions, participants will be able to reflect on knowledge and understanding gained from the first session. At the second summit they’ll be able to relate to what’s happening within their organisations and discuss ways they can contribute to improve the wellbeing of Waitakere,” Says Waitakere Deputy Mayor Councillor Carolynne Stone.
The Wellbeing process began in 1996, involving community and government agencies working with Council to assess, report and strategise. The last Summit in 2002 was attended by more than 170 individuals from more than 70 agencies. From there, a series of Calls to Action were formulated to provide a gathering point for action.
Calls to Action include “that every child has access to a quality preschool
education”, “that every new migrant and refugee to Waitakere City settles
successfully”, “that violence against children and women is reduced”, “that
every Waitakere student leaves school with a plan”, “that a ‘culture of
inclusion’ is developed to fully include all people in Waitakere City” and that
schools and communities work together”.
Dates for the Wellbeing Summit 2004
Part 1: Where are we at? Friday 9am-2pm, July 16, Bible College of NZ, Lincoln
Rd.
Part 2: Are we on track? Friday 9am to 1pm, August 20,
Kelston Community Centre.
Waitakere City and Infratil says any remaining evaluation of the merits
and impacts of a small commercial airport at
Whenuapai should be carried
out as soon as possible.
In a statement today, welcoming the Government's announcement that there
will be continuing investigation of the commercial airport option by several
Government departments, the joint partners in the airport proposal urged
avoidance of unnecessary delay.
Bryan Mogridge, chairman of Waitakere's Mayoral Task Force on Whenuapai, says
the north west is already beginning to feel the negative financial impacts of
the Air Force winding down its Whenuapai activities, estimated to rise to $230
million a year when the withdrawal of the Air Force withdraws completely.
Mr Mogridge said a number of professional opinion polls had shown strong public
support for a commercial airport at Whenuapai, a concept also supported by the
Regional Growth Forum, various Auckland Councils and their business units
and Civil Defence.
"Support is particularly strong in the north west where a survey earlier this
year showed two thirds of the public wants the Government to get commercial
flights operating at Whenuapai as soon as possible."
Mr Mogridge urged that completion of any further evaluation work needed should
be given a high priority, and carried out simultaneously, that the financial and
employment benefits of successful commercial air services could begin flowing as
soon as possible.
"The process of applying for resource consents and other necessary approvals
will produce some of the information still required and give the opportunity for
further public input. It is in the interests of everyone to achieve certainty as
soon as possible, on whether a commercial airport can proceed at Whenuapai.
Infratil spokesman Tim Brown says the ideal scenario is for commercial flights
to be building up at the same time as Air Force use of Whenuapai is winding
down.
There are many successful examples of military and civilian shared use of
airport facilities. "A successful commercial airport at would Whenuapai preserve
the option of future military and Civil Defence use of the facilities."
Mr Brown said Infratil, which will contribute all of the necessary development
capital for a commercial airfield, is not looking for a "sweetheart deal" from
the Government on the land, and is looking forward to negotiations to arrive at
an outcome which is fair to all parties.
"There is no doubt that a commercial airfield is the option which will enable
the Government and the Region to create the greatest continuing value from the
land."
Unitec New Zealand has
strengthened its long-term commitment to West Auckland tertiary education by
purchasing the Waitakere City Council’s Civic Centre and some of the land on
Waipareira Ave.
The tertiary institution already has a strong presence in the city, with plans
for more teaching space to be added to its existing Ratanui St campus and the
construction of the
Waitakere Central Library alongside in partnership with the Council.
Unitec CEO Dr John Webster and Mayor Bob
Harvey have acknowledged the decision as further commitment to meeting the
city’s future education needs.
Unitec expects to move into the Waipareira Ave complex in 2007. Dr Webster said
that date would meet the needs of both the Council and Unitec, and help to
ensure that the institution could continue to meet the projected needs of one of
New Zealand’s fastest growing cities.
“Even with the planned development of our facilities in the Henderson town
centre, we will need extra space in order to best serve the local community into
the future. The Waipareira Ave facilities, with the existing Civic Centre and
just under three hectares of land, will give us the capacity to grow our student
load in Waitakere to around 4,500 EFTS.”
He said that the range of programmes offered by Unitec in Waitakere would expand
rapidly from 2006 onwards. For example, within the next few years, he expected
to have the Unitec degree programmes in nursing and social practice based in
West Auckland.
“Our new building is easily adaptable for teaching and research. These
facilities will give us considerable flexibility in delivering academic
programmes designed or adapted to meet regional needs.”
Dr Webster said the $7.1 million Waipareira Ave deal further cemented the
relationship between Unitec and the
Waitakere City Council. “Already a third of our students come from Waitakere
City and it is vital that we continue to work in partnership with the City
Council to ensure we are meeting the needs of their constituents.”
Mayor Harvey welcomed Unitec’s long range planning strategy and said it would
offer the city’s young people even greater opportunities to ride the knowledge
wave into the jobs of the future. “We are going from a city that had no
significant tertiary opportunities several years ago, to one that will be known
as a knowledge city – hopefully in the same positive way that Dunedin and
Palmerston North are known as cities which have grown round their tertiary
colleges.”
The Mayor said that, once again, the people of Waitakere had gained the best
possible result for their money. “We haven’t just sold the building. The sale
has been maximised. We’ve found a buyer who is offering economic, social and
environmental benefits. Residents should be very pleased because the benefits
far exceed just money – they include their children’s and grandchildren’s
futures.”
The sale of the remainder of the Waitakere City Council land in Waipareira Ave
is expected to be announced by the end of the month in a commercial deal that
Council officials are describing as an exciting business investment.
Help Swanson celebrate its 150th birthday this Sunday at the Swanson Stream
planting at the Redwood Park Golf Club by Church Street.
The Project Twin Streams event runs from 11 am to 2 pm, friends and family are
invited to join the team for music and planting fun, while helping to restore
the city’s streams. A free BBQ is provided afterwards for hard workers.
You don’t need green fingers, just enthusiasm and gumboots. Planters can also
bring their spades and gloves, although some extras will be available on the
day.
Plantings along riverbanks are part of the effort to improve stormwater, combat
erosion and pollution and control weeds.
Project Twin Streams is a partnership project between Waitakere City Council and
the community, working towards restoring Waitakere waterways. Established in
2001, it contributes to the Council’s vision of restoring green corridors in
Waitakere.
 Marina View School students put the finishing touches on one of six pohutukawa planted yesterday | Marina View School students got down and dirty on the mud flats of
Waipareira Bay, Westharbour as part of their commitment to keep the area
family-friendly. Yesterday, Waitakere City Council staff and some elected members helped Ecomatters Environmental Trust volunteers plant six pohutukawa as well as the students’ litter clean up. Concerned by the state of Luckens Reserve opposite their school, they sent letters, pictures, and a CD presentation to the Parks Unit at the Waitakere City Council in March. In acknowledgement of their work, the Council worked with Keep Waitakere Beautiful Trust to organise the planting and cleaning days for the students. |
| “Education and waste minimisation are our top priorities so this project fitted
perfectly with our Schools Assistance programme. Thanks to the students,
teachers and parents for taking pride in their area,” says Kevin Healy, Keep
Waitakere Beautiful Trust Chairman. The decision to care for the area arose after students looked at the surrounding community. “One week in the year we study a community outside the school. The kids felt that they wanted the cove to be suitable for family recreation. They’ve developed the cove how they would like to see it used,” says Sally Andrews, Room 7 teacher at Marina View School.
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Waitakere City Council last night decided unanimously to support the proposed
V8 Supercar race in downtown Auckland.
The Council considered that provided traffic impacts can be managed, the event
would have little effect on Waitakere residents and there would be a range of
benefits for both the region and the country.
Mayor Bob Harvey told the Council that
the V8 race was even better, in one way, than the America’s Cup because “we
don’t have to win it in order to host it every year.”
This means that the benefits are available year after year. These include TV
coverage to a world-wide audience of about 600 million, at least 550 part-time
jobs, work for up to 60 companies and 30 or 40 associated events across the
region including concerts, charity balls, go-kart racing, a yachting regatta,
and a host of other community events.
“Many of those benefits will flow through to whole country,” he says.
Mr Harvey pointed out that Auckland had handled massive traffic re-organisation
in the past, for events such as APEC and CHOGM and the council was confident
that similar arrangements would be in place for the V8 races
Waitakere City, North Shore City and Rodney District are looking at a joint
tender for refuse & recycling collection services, aimed at reducing costs for
ratepayers.
Last night, Waitakere agreed to with a proposal which would see the three local
authorities combine to all for tenders. North shore and Rodney are yet to
discuss the issue, but Waitakere believes the initiative could save each Council
thousands of dollars.
“We won’t know for certain until we see the tenders, but it is a basic economies
of scale argument,” says Waitakere’s
environmental management committee chairperson
Penny Hulse.
“One contractor servicing all three areas is sure to bring about efficiencies
which in turn could be passed on to our ratepayers.”
All three Councils have already committed to the national “Zero Waste” strategy
and another initiative they are looking at together is the introduction of
common by-laws for things like licensing waste operators, littering and unlawful
dumping of rubbish.
Waitakere’s Long Term Council Community
Plan states that by 2020 the City will turn all its waste into resources. A
joint refuse collection contract with other Councils with similar strategic
goals will help achieve this aim, because the resulting economies of scale will
make minimisation initiatives, such as recycling and organic waste separation
more feasible.
The City’s current refuse collection contracts are due to expire on in June,
2005.
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