Media
Releases
August 2006
30 August
Henderson Through the Lens 1890-1999
Bikies, burning buildings, rugby teams, railway tracks,
graffiti and grapevines - all are on show in an exhibition
to celebrate the opening of the Waitakere Central Complex
titled: Henderson Through the Lens 1890-1999, at Waitakere Central
Library, 2nd floor, J.T. Diamond Reading Room.
The panels in the exhibition were originally part of Ted
Scott's Millennium project: Through the Lens: a photographic journey from past to present. Each historical photograph is
partnered with a sympathetic image taken in 1999, and
together show both change and continuity over time.
Panels with Henderson subjects are displayed and are
accompanied by a selection of photographs from the Library's
print collection.
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Starting date: |
September 1 2006 |
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Location: |
Waitakere Central Library, 3 Ratanui Street,
Henderson |
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2nd floor, J.T. Diamond Reading Room |
| Reading Room Hours: |
Monday
9am-12pm & 2-5pm |
| |
Tuesday 10am-12pm & 2-5pm |
| |
Wednesday " Friday 9am-12pm & 2-5pm |
| |
|
30 August
Waitakere comes of age
Waitakere eco city celebrates this weekend with four
major events.
This week celebrates four key events marking the eco
city™s extraordinary progress since its inception in 1993.
Waitakere's new heart at Henderson, an historic timber
and winegrowing town, is undergoing unprecedented renewal.
The deliberate re-building of the entire city includes four
brand new libraries, a tertiary campus, a new civic centre,
New Zealand's largest stadium, the country's premier aquatic
centre, multi-million dollar film studios and ongoing revamp
of the surrounding centres of New Lynn, Glen Eden and Te Atatu.
Cherry trees in blossom for Japanese Gardens' tea
ceremony
A Japanese garden in the heart of the new Waitakere civic
square has been designed as a 'viewing garden' with a
pavilion that is bound to become one of Auckland's most
sought-after wedding venues.
The stones and plants in the garden beside the new
Waitakere Central Civic Centre are based on the former
Japanese garden given to Waitakere by its sister city
Kakogawa. A delegation led by the Mayor of Kakogawa will be
present at the official opening ceremony and will take part
in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
A large, traditional yukimi-doro lantern has been given
to Waitakere for the new garden.
The Japanese Garden behind the former civic centre was
enjoyed by many for 'contemplative', enclosed style. The new
garden is more open with an entrance square and water
features including a waterfall. The garden melds New Zealand
natives with exotics and Japanese plants including cherry
trees that are already in bloom.
Japanese Gardens open with a tea ceremony " Friday 1
Sept 2pm
Waitakere Civic Centre, 6 Henderson Valley Rd, Henderson,
Waitakere
Waitakere Arts Laureates honoured
In a move unprecedented in New Zealand, twelve
outstanding artists are being installed as Waitakere's first
"Arts Laureates" this Friday.
Laureate status will be conveyed on the twelve nominees
by the Governor General at a major dinner at the new
Waitakere Central civic centre on Friday evening . They are
Don Binney (painter), Niki Caro (filmmaker), Len Castle
(potter), John Edgar (sculptor), Graeme Gash (artist) Lois
McIvor (painter), Geoff Moon (photographer), Ann Robinson
(glass artist) Dick Scott (writer), Matafetu Smith (weaver)
C.K.Stead (writer), Mahinarangi Tocker (musician).
Apart from the new Governor General, His Excellency Anand
Satanyand , distinguished guests at Friday's dinner will
include Ministers of the Crown, MPs mayors from throughout
the region, delegates from Waitakere's sister city of
Kakogawa and a glittering array of other celebrities.
All the laureates have, and will in the future have, a
connection with Waitakere. Their work will reflect the
vision, values and cultural diversity of this city. The city
will appoint up to four Laureates each year.
Mayor Bob Harvey, first
mooted the Laureate idea in 2004 as a programme that would
lift the vision of artists and give honour and thanks to
artists who had contributed to this city's diversity and
fabric. He also saw it as a way as a way of giving further
inspiration to the nationally significant arts and culture
of Waitakere.
"We would like to be able to ask our Laureates, our
'talent bank' if you like, comment on issues that affect our
city, like urban design, existing and potential art events
and festivals and cultural exchange programmes" says Mayor
Harvey.
The dinner is being held in in the new Waitakere Central
complex.
Mayor Harvey says the
magnificent new council chambers are the "perfect venue for
this event because " like our inaugural Laureates, the new
Civic Centre is a shining example of all that is the very
best of Waitakere - symbolising a new heart for the
Waitakere and a further lifting of our vision.
"It also showcases our aspirations as a 21st century
modern city. With a Laureate programme in place, on top of
the new city heart, Waitakere is truly a great New Zealand
city rather than just a suburb of Auckland.
"Like our Laureates, and all of our artists, Waitakere
displays a unique verve and panache. We have real zest and
our future is bright," says Mayor Harvey.
Waitakere's arts Laureates honoured " Friday 1 Sept
7pm
Waitakere Civic Centre (6th floor), 6 Henderson Valley Rd,
Henderson, Waitakere
Henderson's Grand People's parade
The biggest and most spectacular parade in the history of
Waitakere on Saturday 2 September celebrates the coming of
age of a city.
"It™s going to be a monster parade not an overgrown
commercial Santa parade, but a one hundred percent community
parade," says organiser John Newick.
"There has been a very strong response from the
community with 75 confirmed groups taking part," he says.
Many of the groups have several dozen participants. The
NZ Police are contributing a pipe band, a 30 officer march
past with five dog handlers and four old patrol vehicles
with officers in period uniforms.
The parade is being measured against the hugely
successful one for Henderson's 150th anniversary on 8
October 1994, when 80,000 people turned up to the parade and
after party.
Henderson's wild, wacky Westie parade " Saturday 2
Sept 10am
The parade starts at 10am from Corban Estate, down Corbans's
Hill. left into Alderman Drive, right into Ratanui Street,
across Great North Rd and into Railside Avenue.
New Civic Centre opened by Prime Minister
The Prime Minister Helen Clark will open the new
Waitakere Central Civic Centre at noon on Saturday having
arrived by train at the new (but yet to be opened) Henderson
Station
The stunning Waitakere Central complex in Henderson
Valley Road is not only New Zealand's finest example of
modern sustainable architecture and engineering it is all
linked across the railway line to a new bus/rail transport
interchange (a baby Britomart) in Railside Avenue to promote
the use of public transport.
The move by Waitakere City Council to downtown Henderson
is a deliberate move to give the economy of Waitakere's CBD
an unprecedented shot in the arm. The Council is moving
nearly 700 staff and more than 50,000 council visitors a
year, within walking distance of the main business area, and
right alongside the region's second biggest transport
interchange.
This coincides with a comprehensive "make-over" of the
town centre area which includes stunning new artworks which
are a first for the country.
The effect has been almost immediate. The original
announcement saw Unitec decide to double the size of its
campus in Ratanui Street. In another New Zealand first, the
Council also entered into a joint venture with Unitec, to
share the building of a new central library (which doubles
as Unitec's library) and a new six storey car parking
building.
This complex with is co-located on the Ratanui Street
site, resulted in the city's ratepayers acquiring a world
class library and the citys first car parking building at a
discounted price. Unitec was similarly benefited. that
complex opened several months ago.
Around 23 shops - some with upstairs offices - are being
refurbished as landlords see new opportunity beginning to
blossom. Two new high rises - one of nine stories and one of
11 - are on the drawing boards and a three star hotel is in
progress. Waitakere properties Ltd, meanwhile, is well
advanced with a three storey building beside the new Civic
Centre, the first of a total of 12 buildings that will
eventually rise on the old Carter Holt Harvey paper making
plant.
The Prime Minister will arrive by train from her home
station of Mt Albert at 10.53am to be greeted by Mayor Bob
Harvey and taken to the new overbridge to watch the parade
and tour the chambers.
The official opening ceremony on the presentation stage
in front of the civic centre begins at 12 noon with welcomes
from the Mayor and Prime Minister. Following sponsor
speeches, a plaque will be unveiled and the New Zealand
anthem sung by Catherine Reaburn and the Henderson
Intermediate School Choir.
The Mayor of Kakogawa, Waitakere™s sister city in Japan
will be present and will view the Civic's many sustainable
features which embody the ecocity principles, including the
corporate green roof, the first in New Zealand to feature a
mosaic of native colours and textures.
New Civic Centre opens " Saturday 2 September 12 noon
Waitakere Civic Centre, 6 Henderson Valley Rd, Henderson,
Waitakere
28 August
New website for moon festival
A new website,
www.moonfestival.co.nz is now online, providing regular
updates about the fourth Waitakere Moon Festival and a full
photo catalogue from previous years.
The annual festival is again to hit the stage at the freshly
refurbished
New Lynn
Community Centre on October six and seven.
One of the most popular acts of the festival, drummers
Auckland Mai Taiko, have confirmed they will be back for
another explosive 15 minute performance during the opening
ceremony on Friday night, which starts at 6.30pm.
The 2006 Waitakere Moon Festival is organised by the
Waitakere City Council in partnership with the Cantonese
Opera Society. Sponsors of this year's community event are
More FM, iBall Media Works, China Travel Service and the New
Zealand Fuqing Association.
23 August
Sunderland College to open next year at former Waitakere City Council premises in Henderson
The Trustees of Sunderland School and College announce
that they have secured the former Waitakere City Council
complex at Waipareira Ave, Henderson. The independent school
will open in February next year for students from Year 1 to
Year 9.
The 5,000 sq mtr building set on 2.8 hectares has been
purchased by Quadrant Properties who have leased it to
Sunderland on a long term basis. Sunderland chairman, Alex
Findlay says "We are delighted with this arrangement. It
gives us extended secure tenure on an outstanding property
which is centrally located to our catchment area. Its
architect designed buildings are a landmark in West Auckland
and the well established landscaped grounds are ideal for
conversion to a school. The existing zoning means we can
open in February next year."
Sunderland is working closely with Waitakere City Council
and the Trusts Stadium to negotiate long term access during
school hours to the superb community sporting facilities in
the vicinity. These include net-ball and tennis courts, the
Henderson Aquatic Centre, along with playing fields,
athletics track and the indoor stadium facilities.
Efforts to establish Sunderland in West Auckland started
in 2001. Last year, Council granted resource consent on a
rural site in Brigham's Creek Rd to construct a new private
school from scratch. That consent was contested by the
Auckland Regional Council which rigidly opposes any
‘non-rural™ development outside the Metropolitan Urban
Limit, even a school. "We could see the process taking years
through the courts with no guarantee of success" says Mr
Findlay. "Our plans for the Whenuapai site will now be
abandoned and all our efforts will go into founding an
outstanding independent school on this very central
Henderson site."
As has previously been reported, Sunderland will be
co-educational and secular, and will ultimately cater for
students from Primary School New Entrant to Year 13. Next
year it will offer up to Year 9 and it will grow
incrementally to offer Year 13 in 2011. "Our past
investigations showed a real need for independent schooling
in West Auckland. We anticipate a high demand for what will
be a limited number of places next year. We will start
student interviews next month" said Mr Findlay. When
conversion work is completed, the site will have a capacity
of 600 students and plans for a future extension will expand
the roll to 1000.
21 August
More time to pick out your pooch
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|
Past residents welcome visitors to the
revamped Animal Welfare Centre
From left to right; Trixie the Jack Russell, Ella the
Rottweiler, Bayley the Burmese cat, Lucas the
Ridgeback/Great Dane cross, Casper the English/Bull Terrier
cross, Eddie Boo the Miniature Poodle and Charlie the kitten. |
Visitors to Waitakere's Animal Welfare Centre have more time
to pick the next family pooch.
The centre has changed its weekend hours 11am to 2pm both
Saturday and Sunday in response to the 'rush hour' that
occurs on Saturdays from 11am to 12 noon.
Visitors will also notice a new look to the centre at 48 The
Concourse Henderson, with new signage and branded Waitakere
Animal Welfare utes.
The larger than life photo at the entrance has special
meaning for Animal Welfare staff, as all the animals in the
photo have once been residents who were eventually adopted.
Presently there are no cats available for adoption, but a
variety of dogs are available to become family pets.
Adoption costs $125 per dog which includes a $60 de-sexing
voucher, $45 vet check and vaccination and $20 registration
fee. All dogs being adopted will be microchipped for easier
identification in the future.
18 August
Animal Welfare on a high in July
Staff at Waitakere's Animal Welfare Centre finally have time
to grab a breath after a busy July.
Special reduced prices for registrations offered only for
the month of July saw 8865 dogs registered, 100 more than
the same month in 2005.
Numbers of dog owner license holders were up 69% with 55
more licenses issued this July.
Some 261 dogs in the city were microchipped for just $20,
providing instant identification should they get lost in
future.
Councillor Vanessa
Neeson, chairman of Waitakere City Council's Planning
and Regulatory Committee, says the results are encouraging.
"It is great to see people have taken advantage of the
discounts for early registrations in July. Clearly people
are taking up the opportunity to be a more responsible dog
owner by taking up the dog owner license courses offered by
the Animal Welfare Centre," says Mrs Neeson.
Microchipping is still available at the Animal Welfare
Centre for $20 without an appointment.
17 August
Public transport way to get to Bledisloe Cup
Special train and bus services put on by the Auckland
Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) and MAXX will ensure
that All Blacks fans turn out in force this Saturday 19
August when the team goes head-to-head against the Wallabies
in the 2006 Bledisloe Cup match at Eden Park.
Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) General
Manager, Infrastructure and Rail, Elena Trout, said, "On
Saturday, we will be running additional services on the
Southern Line from Otahuhu and on to Britomart where
passengers will change to a train bound for Eden Park.
"Special trains and bus services will also service the
Western Line, transporting fans from Waitakere and Henderson
to the game.
In order to allow double tracking work to continue on the
Western Line, the special services between Waitakere and
Henderson stations prior to the game will be serviced by
buses.
Four buses will depart Waitakere between 1.59pm and 4.29pm,
taking passengers to Henderson. At Henderson station,
passengers will be transferred to trains taking them to
Kingsland station.
“Trains will depart Papakura at regular intervals between
12.48pm and 4.18pm, and Henderson between 2.23pm and 4.53pm,
to get fans to the stadium in time for the 5.30pm kick-off."
A ten-minute train service from Britomart to Kingsland
station will run from 3: 35pm for city-based fans and
connecting passengers.
Normal train fares will apply from all stations. Passengers
are encouraged to purchase a return ticket on the way to the
game and allow plenty of time for their arrival at Kingsland
station.
"The trains will deliver people from all across Auckland to
Kingsland Station which is conveniently located within a
five-minute walking distance of Eden Park," Ms Trout said.
"At the conclusion of the game, trains will depart from
Kingsland station to Britomart between 7: 25pm and 10: 05pm
(approximately every 10 minutes) and to Waitakere between
7: 30pm and 10: 30pm. Trains will also run all the way back to
Waitakere station."
She said providing additional services for events such as
the Bledisloe Cup is part of ARTA's commitment to
encouraging Aucklanders to use rail as an alternative form
of transport.
"We expect trains to become increasingly important over the
coming years for people accessing rugby and other special
events, particularly as we build up towards the Rugby World
Cup in 2011."
Shuttle buses will also run from Albany bus station via
Constellation bus station to get patrons to and from the
game. A shuttle bus service will also run from the central
city.
17 August
Drive through for payments opens at new civic centre
 |
Waitakere residents and homeowners can now pay their rates
and other bills without having to leave their vehicles.
Waitakere City Council's new drive through customer service
facility - the first in the country - is now open to the
public.
The facility allows people to literally drive up to a
cashier's window and pay rates or infringement notices by
cash, cheque or eftpos " and then drive off.
This service means that many customers who previously had to
park, go into a council building and possibly queue at a
counter, can now make their payment and be on their way in a
matter of moments.
"It's a great service to our customers and it also reduces
the need for a considerable amount of parking, " says
Councillor Janet Clews,
chair of the council's Finance and Operational Performance
Committee.
The drive through is located in the western end (nearest
Smythe Road) of the administration wing - the six storey
building in the Waitakere Central complex.
Access to the facility is from Smythe Road, off Henderson
Valley Road.
17 August
8000 may be eligible for rates relief
Waitakere City Council has received 930 rate rebate
applications but Councillor
Derek Battersby
urges residents who think they may be eligible to check with
the council.
The council and Department of Internal Affairs estimate that
around 8000 Waitakere residents may be eligible for a rebate
of up to $500 per year on their rates bill.
The income threshold to qualify for a rebate varies
depending on individual situations " and further information
on whether or not residents qualify, can be obtained from
the council's
24 hour call centre.
"The council is promoting the rates rebate scheme to ease
the rates burden on super annuitants and low income
families. The 930 applications we have received so far are
only a small portion of those that may be eligible, says
Councillor Battersby.
"So, I encourage residents to phone our Call Centre if they
believe they may be eligible for a rebate," he says.
Forms are also available from
all city libraries.
16 August
Dame Te Ata
Flags in Waitakere are flying at half-mast today to
acknowledge the passing of the Maori Queen, Te Arikinui Dame
Te Atairangikaahu.
Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey says Dame Te Ata was a great New
Zealand leader whose character and resolve will live on in
the memories of many.
"I have known Dame Te Ata for many years and her legacy is
one of great dignity, integrity and a gentleness of spirit,
rare in most people let alone someone of her standing," says
Mayor Harvey.
"For decades she has been the voice of reason and
conciliation and she and her influence will be sorely
missed."
Tomorrow Mayor Harvey will be travel to the Turangawaewae
Marae, Ngaruawahia to personally pay his respects and those
of the city, at the tangi.
Waitakere City's councillors observed a minute's silence
this morning in honour of Dame Te Ata.
Councillor Assid Corban recalled meeting Dame Ata in his
role as chairperson of parks for what was then the Auckland
Regional Authority " now Auckland Regional Council.
"We had some issues with management of parks in the southern
part of the region and we met with the Maori Queen at Turangawaewae," Councillor Corban says.
"We were received warmly and very graciously and resolved
those issues through her expert guidance and gentle
persuasion."
Chairman of Te Taumata Runanga, Te Warena Taua, says the
Tainui people, Maoridom as a whole, and indeed the whole
nation is today mourning one of the great leaders of our
age:
Kimihia rangahaua
Kei whea koe te arikinui
Ka ngaro nei!
Ko Matariki te whetü takiata
Te Manu Korihi,
haere atu ra te ariki tapairu
Haere ki o matua, ki o tupuna, haere ki nga Kingi a Po
Haruru ana te motu I to wehenga atu
Kei te tangi te motu, me ki, kei te tangi te ao katoa,
No reira e Te Arikinui,
Haere, haere, haere ki te whare o Apakura
whakangaro atu ra
Tena koutou katoa,
Dame Te Atairangikaahu passed away yesterday after prolonged
illness.
Dame Te Ata was crowned the first Maori Queen in 1966, upon
the death of her father, King Koroki.
She followed in the legacy of her ancestors, beginning with
Potatau Te Wherowhero, who was crowned the first Maori King
in 1858.
'The Lady', as she was affectionately known by her
followers, will lie in state on Turangawaewae Marae in
Ngaruawahia for seven days.
The successor to her throne will be decided in deliberations
by tribes from throughout the country over the next few
days.
Dame Te Ata will then be taken to her final resting place,
where her ancestors also lie, upon Taupiri Mountain.
16 August
Supreme winner endorses awards
Supreme award winners
Keep Waitakere Beautiful (KWB)
encourage all Waitakere community groups to get their
nominations in for the 2006
Infratil-Waitakere Community
Awards before entries close on September 4.
KWB took out the supreme award at the inaugural awards last
year, after winning the heritage and environment category.
They are not entering the awards this year to 'let someone
else have a go.'
Project Manager Moira Kennedy travelled with Councillor
Judy Lawley to the 2005 TrustPower National Community Awards held
in Greymouth and says the experience was humbling.
"Participation was a truly humbling and remarkable
experience. There were more than 100 people there,
overflowing with passion and great energy for their
projects, some with no or very little funding from their
local bodies," she says.
"It made me even more proud to be a New Zealander, to know
that there were so many decent, kind, hardworking,
salt-of-the-earth people who want to help others and who
don™t seek attention or recognition for themselves.
I would warmly recommend any volunteer organisation in
Waitakere City to enter the Awards " it™s a fabulous
experience. As well as having the opportunity to share
ideas, knowledge and project concepts with others from all
around the country, it™s great fun too!"
Aimed at "Powering Volunteers All Across New Zealand" the TrustPower National Awards featured 21 finalist groups
across a true cross section of society " children™s
after-school programmes, hospice volunteers, soroptimists,
eventing, environmental restoration projects, neighbourhood
support, vintage museums and alcohol and drug support
services.
This year's winners will represent Waitakere at the national
awards to be held in Taupo.
14 August
Diamond pendant prize for best essay
Franich Jewellers have again donated a diamond pendant as
the overall prize for the
2006 JT Diamond essay competition.
The competition encourages exploration into West
Auckland™s history through memories or historical research.
Entries close 5pm Friday 25 August and budding writers
have two categories to choose from; memories and personal
recollections or historical research.
Last year's winning essay by Emma Louise Joyce entitled
Tenuous tenancies: a history of the Cornwallis baches was
praised by the judges as “A very polished essay that
combined research with evocative writing. Everything about
it was "top class."
This year Waitakere Library staff and the West Auckland
Historical Society have worked together to promote the
competition to schools and encourage students to learn about
West Auckland™s fascinating history.
11 August
Catherine Mall wins sceptics over
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|
Artist Adam Ellis and
Waitakere City Council™s principle advisor city
projects Janet Hannan enjoying the new artwork. |
Originally the redevelopment planned for Catherine Mall was
labelled too expensive and the revolutionary artwork planned
for it dismissed as too simplistic.
But now that the work there has been completed, even the
project™s most strident sceptic admits that not only does
the area look marvellous, but the changes breathe life back
into the heart of Henderson.
Chairman of the Henderson Community Board Elizabeth Grimmer
says that now the work is complete it is obvious the
redevelopment has revitalised an important community area.
"With the way Catherine Mall has been redesigned it has
opened the whole vista up " it is now a much wider and
friendlier public space," says Mrs Grimmer.
"The whole area, including the shops, appears to be much
more accessible."
"It's been very well designed, the whole of Catherine Mall
has been opened up, and before this was done the shopping
mall overpowered the whole area."
Mrs Grimmer was also impressed with the new artwork on
display " despite her earlier trepidation.
"I admit, I was pretty sceptical about the art to start
with. When I saw the plans I thought the artwork just looked
like giant lego blocks, but now that I™ve seen them in
person I am very very impressed," she says.
"For me, I think it is the vibrant colours of the blocks
that make it work " and also they're very warm to sit on
which is important," she says.
Waitakere City Council art manager Naomi McCleary says the
artist, Adam Ellis, has designed a suite of dramatic and
contemporary works that will act as a signature statement in
the Henderson CBD.
The forms represent the bark scales that form on mature
Kauri trees. These have been abstracted and simplified into
geometric forms which in daylight are in soft 'kauri
colours' but at night are internally lit.
"Adam's art embodies Waitakere's ethos of being an eco-city
in that it is made entirely from recyclable materials. Each
of the pieces invites interaction; sitting, touching and
sheltering from the wind.
"One of the intriguing aspects of these works is that,
although they have one connected motif they have been
installed in three separate locations," says Mrs McCleary.
The works are designed out of material that is
fire-retardant and graffiti proof too.
The largest of his three works is in Henderson on the
corners of Ratanui Street and Alderman Drive.
11 August
Changes to services on Saturdays as Western Line double
tracking continues
Train services will be replaced by buses this Saturday 12
August, and each Saturday in August between Henderson and
Waitakere as construction work to build a second train track
on the Western Line continues.
Auckland
Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) General Manager,
Infrastructure and Rail, Elena Trout, said that between
7.00am and 7.20pm every Saturday, regular train services
between Henderson and Waitakere stations will be serviced by
buses to allow double tracking construction work to continue
on the Western Line. Where buses replace trains, the normal
train fare will apply for the entire journey.
“The disruptions to passengers will be minimal, but as
regular journey times may vary, we are advising passengers
to allow more time for their journey,” Ms Trout said.
“Train staff will be on hand to help passengers transfer
from trains to the replacement buses.”
Buses will also be used to service stations from Waitakere
to Henderson for the 2006 Bledisloe Cup game on Saturday 19
August.
“Four buses will depart Henderson between 1.59pm and 4.29pm,
taking passengers to Henderson. At Henderson station,
passengers will be transferred to trains taking them to
Kingsland station located right next to Eden Park, in time
for kick-off,” she said.
“At the conclusion of the game, trains will run all the way
back to Waitakere station.”
Ms Trout said that laying a second track along the Western
Line construction is an on-going rail upgrade project. ARTA
will continue to work closely with the track owners ONTRACK
and train operator Veolia Transport Auckland Ltd to ensure
construction activities minimise any effects on passenger
services.
“The introduction of a second track will benefit Aucklanders
and allow service improvements and an increase in frequency,
capacity and reliability.
“We understand that the work has caused some disruptions,
but the end result will be a much improved rail service for
West Auckland. The continued support and understanding of
Western Line passengers is greatly appreciated,” Ms Trout
said.
The Stage 2 Double Tracking works are part of a wider rail
network upgrade programme, key to the continued development
of the Auckland rail network. Other improvements include an
expanded fleet of refurbished trains, station upgrades and
improved passenger information.
Western Line train passengers planning to travel this
Saturday can get more information from MAXX on (09) 366 6400
or visit
www.maxx.co.nz or look out for posters on trains and at
affected stations around the rail network.
11 August
Sale of Techscape Limited approved in principle
North Shore and Waitakere City Councils have approved the
sale, in principle, of their respective 50% shareholdings in
Techscape Limited.
The final sale of their shares is subject to the
satisfactory negotiation and completion of contractual
documentation with Bilfinger Berger Services New Zealand Ltd
(BBS NZ).
Further details will be announced if and when the sale is
completed.
The decision comes after a public tender process in which
expressions of interest were received from both New
Zealand-based and overseas companies.
Techscape has been a contractor to both Cities since its
formation in 2000, providing maintenance services for pipes,
parks, reserves, beaches and sports fields.
It is one of the larger pipe maintenance operators in New
Zealand, employing close to 300 staff at its Albany and
Henderson depots.
The intention is that the new owner will be awarded long
term maintenance contracts. Waitakere City CEO Harry
O™Rourke and North Shore CEO John Brockies say the awarding
of long term contracts will provide a strong foundation for
the future of the company and its workers.
BBS NZ says the key factor in the purchase of Techscape is
the technical skills and industry knowledge of the existing
management and staff.
General manager David Edwards says that BBS NZ plans to grow
the business and pursue opportunities both with the existing
client base and the wider Auckland market.
“Techscape brings with it the skills, expertise and industry
knowledge of over 300 staff. The acquisition of a business
such as Techscape consolidates BBS NZ expertise in the water
and greenscapes sector, enhancing existing contracts with
clients like Metrowater and Capacity in New Zealand.”
8 August
Council to intensively study three rating options
Waitakere City Council has outlined its intention to study
three different rating systems over the next year before
deciding on which is best for the city.
The Finance and Operational Performance Committee (FOP)
has
endorsed a recommendation that the council should study the
relative merits and likely impacts, of the three different
systems available to councils under New Zealand law.
“As we go into this process the council has absolutely no
preference for which system is used,” says Councillor
Janet
Clews, chair of the FOP committee.
One is the land value system " the current system that uses
the value of a property™s land, only, as a basis for
calculating rates.
The second is capital value, which uses the full value of a
property (land and improvements such as buildings, drives
etc). The third is annual value which uses the property™s
annual rentable value as the basis for calculation.
“We will do detailed economic modelling of all three systems
to assess their impacts on large businesses, small
businesses, and residential properties of different values,”
says Councillor Clews.
“Within the three systems, there is also opportunity for
variations. For example, we could make more or less use of
uniform annual charges and other user pays options, so there
is a lot to understand.”
“The most important thing, however, is getting an end result
that is most fair to most people,” she says.
“The council cannot raise any more money than it needs for
each year™s work, no matter what system it adopts. However,
the system does affect how much each property pays towards
that total amount. In some cases businesses pay more, in
others higher value properties pay more,” she says.
The council expects to receive the report of the study
towards the end of the year and will then make a decision on
the timing for public consultation.
“Year™s end is a target, not a fixed date. If it takes
longer to do the work thoroughly, so be it. We want to be
certain we have the best information to evaluate what is the
fairest system before making final decisions,” Cr Clews
says.
“With the current widespread interest in rates we hope
people will be really keen to support the work being done
and then to help us make a decision based on sound
information rather than preconceived ideas.”
4 August
Waitakere residents are more train-wise
More people are taking the train in Waitakere compared to
commuters in south and east Auckland.
The number of people taking the train to and from
Waitakere increased by a massive 600% since 1992, exceeding
the Auckland rail network™s overall patronage by 100% during
the same 14 year period.
Patronage of the Waitakere Line keeps increasing: last
year it was up by 40% (with a total of 1.9 million trips),
compared to the previous year, the City Development
Committee heard on 3 August.
“This growth rate is
significantly higher than the growth on the southern and
eastern lines and outstrips the 30% increase in Auckland™s
combined rail system,” says
Penny Hulse, chair of the
City Development
Committee.
“I take the train to work as much as possible and am
really enjoying it… I only bring my car when I need to go
straight to other meetings later,” she says.
“It™s good to see some results from the work Waitakere
City Council has been doing alongside key regional
organisations in the planning and development of the rail
network that runs through some of Waitakere City™s main town
centres,” says Cr Hulse.
“An important part of our plan is to ensure that stations
are sited in the best possible location and that design work
is undertaken to a high standard. A prime example is the
Henderson Railway Station which is presently being built,”
she says.
There has also been a significant improvement in the
on-time operation of trains on the Waitakere Line as a
result of the new timetable introduced in October 2005.
Trains are currently running on time 83.6% of the time -
that is, where trains are within five minutes of their
timetable departure time.
“This is an enormous improvement over the preceding
period where on-time performance on the Waitakere Line at
times dipped below 50%. Improvements in on-time operations
have been achieved alongside a 25% increase in the number of
train services on the network,” says
Cr Hulse.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that more Council staff are
using the train since the move to Waitakere Central. Initial
feedback by staff is that they are pleased with the quality
of service, noting especially the high-quality of customer
service provided by Veolia Transport's on-board staff.
4 August
Helipad at Piha to be re-developed
Waitakere City Council is proposing to re-develop the
helipad at Piha, for emergency helicopters, including the
police Eagle helicopter and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
The City Development Committee today accepted a
recommendation to go ahead with a plans to re-develop the
pad developed between the community, the council and the
rescue helicopter trust.
The existing pad will be enlarged to accommodate the
larger rotors on a new, larger, rescue machine. The pad will
also have its own lights that can be activated by pilots,
for night landings.
In addition, there will be a blue light atop the
mid-beach toilets, near the pad, that will flash to help
guide the pilot at night as well as providing a warning to
people on the ground, when a helicopter is approaching.
“This is an excellent compromise,” says Christine
Shepherd, chair of the Waitakere Community Board.
“Originally the rescue helicopter trust wanted a concrete
pad but the local community was very opposed to this idea.
The final outcome has been arrived at through consultation
between the council, immediately affected residents, the
residents and ratepayers association and the helicopter
trust.”
The council and the Piha residents also agreed that any
helicopters other than emergency helicopters, would require
specific resource consent before they could use the pad,
says Mrs Shepherd.
Operators of any other helicopters using the pad without
resource consent, will be open to prosecution by the
council.
“This is a win-win for safety and the local community. I
think everybody recognises that there must be an emergency
helipad at Piha and nobody wanted to see unrestricted
helicopter activities. This will give us the best of both
worlds,” says Mrs Shepherd.
2 August
Dog registration August amnesty
Waitakere Animal Welfare Centre is granting an amnesty in
August for dog owners who have not yet registered their dog.
Owners will pay the regular fee without being fined until
September 1, when fines will come into force.
As of September 1, owners of any dog not currently
registered, whether previously registered or not, will be
fined $300 in addition to having to pay the appropriate
registration fee.
The month of July saw owners saving up to $50 on their dog
registrations.
Registration fees range from $149 for an entire dog to $110
for a neutered dog. Lower fees apply for superannuitants,
guide dogs and hearing dogs.
The dog registration fees for 2006 - 2007 are as below:
|
Category |
If paid after
1 August 2006 |
|
Male dog (not castrated)
|
$149 |
|
Bitch (unspayed female)
|
$149 |
Neutered dog
(castrated
male or spayed female)
|
$110 |
Superannuitants
(including transitional
superannuitants)
|
$80 |
|
Seeing Eye Dog
|
$4.50 |
|
Hearing Ear Dog
|
$4.50 |
1 August
Directions for the town™s big day
Great North Road, Buscomb Avenue, Alderman Drive,
Catherine Street, Railside Avenue and Henderson Valley Road,
Henderson will be closed on Saturday, 2 September 2006 from
8.30 am until 11.30 am, for the Grand People™s Parade to
celebrate the opening of Waitakere Central.
Motorists are advised to follow the sign posted detours,
while the roads are closed.
Authorised residents and emergency vehicles will still be
allowed access.
The route is as follows: Great North Road (Corban™s
Hill), Alderman Drive, Ratanui Street and Railside Avenue.
The Parade will finish at Pioneer Street, Dora St, Cranwell
St.
If you have any queries or concerns, please contact
Barbara Cade, Events Manager, Waitakere City Council on
phone (09) 836 8000 extn 8780.
Waitakere City Council regrets any inconvenience caused.
Members of the public are invited to view the parade and are
encouraged to use public transport to and from the parade.
1 August
Henderson on parade
Planning for the biggest and most spectacular parade in
the history of Waitakere is well under way and
Mayor Bob Harvey wants you to
be a part of this very special event.
On Saturday, 2 September the streets of Henderson will
reverberate to the sensational sound of local community and
ethnic groups celebrating their history, their present and
their future when the Grand People™s Parade is held to mark
the official opening of Waitakere Central.
“The parade will have everything from vintage cars to the
latest Italian super cars, bands, television actors,
historic figure Don Buck on his horse, police dog teams and
special delegations from Waitakere sister cities from Japan
and China,” says Mayor Harvey.
“It really is going to be absolutely fantastic and I urge
all community groups to sign up quickly. And if you can™t be
part of the parade make sure you note the date in your diary
and come out to watch and enjoy the spectacle,” says
Mayor Harvey.
The Henderson Community Celebration Trust, on behalf of
the council, is organising the parade which begins at the
Corban Estate at 10am, goes down Corban™s Hill, turns left
into Alderman Drive, right into Ratanui St, across Great
North Rd and into Railside Ave, where it will disperse into
side streets.
Prime Minister Helen Clark has been asked to attend the
celebrations and may view the parade from Henderson Railway
Station after arriving at the new centre and transport hub -
appropriately by train.
The Mayor™s wishes are echoed by trust chair John Newick.
“We want all of Waitakere™s community and ethnic groups to
be represented in this parade, which is a real celebration
of all that is best about our city.”
Following the parade, participants will join other
members of the public at the complex™s official opening
ceremony in the Civic Square on the Henderson Valley Rd side
of Waitakere Central.
Any group that has not yet signed up for the parade
contact John Newick immediately on 832 3190 or via email "
john@uniformbrokers.co.nz or trust secretary Brenda
Brady on 836 0798 or email
kbrady@xtra.co.nz.
1 August
Nominations wanted for community awards
Is there a voluntary group or organisation that has made
a real difference in the community? Should they get some
much-deserved recognition?
If the answer is yes, nominate them for the
Infratil-Waitakere
Community Awards.
Infratil, in conjunction with the Waitakere City Council,
wants to recognise and celebrate the outstanding
contribution volunteers make to the community.
The volunteers of many groups and organisations working
tirelessly for their community can get the recognition they
deserve by a nomination in the
Infratil-Waitakere
Community Awards.
The
Infratil-Waitakere Community Awards are not grants. They
recognise hard working voluntary groups in the community "
from sports clubs to school PTA™s to not-for-profit health
organisations.
As well as local and national recognition, the winning
groups receive financial reward. This year, Infratil and the
Waitakere City Council have more than $5,000 to inject into
outstanding voluntary groups in Waitakere.
It™s easy to nominate a group or organisation for the
Infratil-Waitakere
Community Awards. Simply fill out the nomination form
online at www.waitakere.govt.nz and post or fax it to the
Waitakere City Council. You can even nominate your own
group!
|
