Media Releases

July 2006

26 July

Smart Library system takes top awards At Computerworld Excellence Awards

A project to install a single library management system across five councils in the Auckland region has won two major awards at the 2006 Computerworld Excellence Awards held on 21 July in Auckland

The project dubbed 'Smarter Systems', was developed by Waitakere, North Shore, Auckland, Manukau, and Rodney councils, in a collaboration known as eLGAR (Libraries for a Greater Auckland Region)

It won the award for the year's most successful project implementation and also the Excellence in the Use of IT in Government award.

Libraries for a Greater Auckland Region was also a finalist in the Excellence in the Use of IT for Customer Service award.

"The Smarter Systems Project is an excellent library management tool that delivers great customer service," says Su Scott, Manager of Library and Information Services for Waitakere City Council.

"People particularly enjoy the fact that they can access the new catalogue system from home. They can do everything from look at which books they have out, when they are due and renew them online," she says.

Customers can search what books are where in libraries throughout the region.

Furthermore, if they search unsuccessfully for a particular title can be asked to send an email when the title becomes available.

Also, customers will be able to make suggestions for items libraries should purchase and track what they have read.

The judging panel acknowledged the Smarter Systems project as the largest and most complex collaborative IT project undertaken to date by local government in the Auckland region, and by the library sector nationally.

Councillor Ross Clow, Deputy Chair of the Finance and Operational Performance Committee says that the awards were a testament to regional collaboration and cross-council co-operation.

Waitakere Library and Information Services Manager, Su Scott, says that the two-and-a-half year Smarter Systems Project is delivering improved and shared services that are being well received by the region’s ratepayers.

Dennise Fox of Destin Consulting Limited, who managed the Smarter Systems Project, says that a key success factor was the leadership and commitment displayed by the library managers, staff involvement and the combined experience of the team that worked on the project.

28 July

Giving young unemployed in Waitakere a hand

A group of 20 long term unemployed young people are preparing to make a fresh start through a joint training and employment opportunity in Waitakere.

After 13 weeks of intensive training, the Waitakere Cadetship group will work at Waitakere City Council as short term employees in a variety of areas.

The programme is a joint project between the council, the Tertiary Education Commission and the Ministry of Social Development with a connection to the Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs which says that 'every person under 25 will be in either training or employment’. The $435,000 total cost is met by the Tertiary Education Commission, the Ministry of Social Development and the council.

While at the training provider, Best Training at New Lynn, the participants are making some huge shifts in their thinking, says Councillor Linda Cooper, Council Advocate for Children and Youth.

"You see them come in with their heads down on day one. Many have little sense of hope and think that that this is going to be 'just another dead end deal’. The Manukau experience proves they will emerge unrecognisable from the initial training.

"They’ve had complicated lives in which things have happened to them, like family poverty. Through the training they become committed and on track to learning again.

"Somebody needs to cut them some slack. We are aiming from day one for them to be in fulltime employment," she says.

The group, of 12 men and eight women - six Päkehä, eight Pacific Islanders and six M äori, is expected to start work on short term employment contracts of 39 weeks at the council, on 25 September they will be employed in parks, the transfer station, counter services or the cemetery and many other areas of council.

Programme coordinator Marina Mesame is the group’s fulltime "mentor". Funded by the Ministry for Social Development, she will be based at the council during the group’s work experience stint.

Potential members went through a selection process that identified potential leaders and their ability to be cooperative. They were asked to be honest about their general situations: how they came to be unemployed and what they wanted to achieve, their passions and their fears.

Director of Best Training Anita Finnigan says that the Waitakere cadetship is one of the best models for training and employing young people she has come across.

"This programme has been resoundingly successful. It’s designed to have long term and lasting life changing effects. The message is that you matter here in the BEST training room, in Waitakere and on the planet".

"The opportunity is given to them in an atmosphere of support, so that their own aspirations burst through – it’s their own energy that transforms their lives. The challenge is to turn their hardships into a winning post," she says.

After five weeks of the intensive 13 weeks training, the atmosphere in the classroom is already electric as the students perform their 'chants’ which are part of the team building process.

The students articulate clearly their appreciation of the chance that has been given to them.

"We are like a family… the teacher is like our mother, she keeps us together… it’s real… it’s awesome…" says Tainui Forbes

Hulita Maka says that the group feels "there’s so much inspiration and support. We’ve really become close. A lot of the things we’ve talked about in this class are really personal. We really trust each other."

24 July

Renowned artist gifts art collection and estate to people of Waitakere

Peter Sauerbier, one of New Zealand’s leading artists, has left a gift valued at over one million dollars to people of Waitakere.

Generally acknowledged as the country’s top sculptor using everyday items to build his creations, Mr Sauerbier has donated a large collection of his works to the city.

The works are typically crafted from recycled materials, epitomising Waitakere’s outlook on environmental sustainability.

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey says the city is honoured by Sauerbier’s bequest and will be culturally enriched by having his collection on permanent public display.

"He has created a world of magic, humour and extraordinary craftsmanship, that has a very widespread appeal, everybody loves the quirky creations of his fantasy and imagination and yet the engineering that goes into them is equally admired, he says.

"But while these are fantasy works and made from recycled materials they are true sculpture of the very finest quality.

"Peter Sauerbier is one of Waitakere City’s treasures. There is no question that he is outstanding in his field in New Zealand and would be recognised in any company world-wide. This is an extremely generous and valuable gift," says Mayor Harvey.

"A huge body of work has been produced over the past 40 years in his humble workshop in Massey and Waitakere is truly privileged to have had yet another world class artist working within its boundaries," he says.

The collection will eventually be placed on permanent display at the Corban’s Estate Art Centre.

Mayor Harvey will acknowledge Sauerbier’s donation to Waitakere at West Harbour Gardens private hospital - 315 Hobsonville Road, West Harbour at 12.30 on Monday, 24 July.

Mayor Harvey will also receive an official ceremonial key designed by Sauerbier for the council’s new building at 6 Henderson Valley Road.

24 July

Australian MP's visit Arts Capital

We can beat them in the rugby - and sometimes in the league.

And now the Aussies want to know our arts secrets as well.

A delegation of seven Australian politicians and their policy advisors has visited Waitakere City, looking at "arts-design" projects in several public buildings.

Pictured touring the Massey Library and Leisure Centre are Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey and the leader of the delegation Trish Draper (Liberal Party MP for Makin in South Australia). They are in front of a mural by Bethells artist Allie Eagle.

During the tour, which also took in the Opanuku Stream footbridge by Corbans Estate in Henderson and the Glen Eden and New Lynn libraries, the Australian group was shown examples of how art has been integrated into new building design, a process pioneered by Waitakere since 1997.

Examples of this functional integration of art at the Massey Library includes the carpets, book shelving and even door handles.

Waitakere City arts manager Naomi McCleary says what has become normal practice at Waitakere is still being tested at other Councils.

Creative New Zealand has distributed copies of Waitakere’s booklet on arts design all over New Zealand and as a result, places such as Kapiti Coast, Rotorua, Wellington, Dunedin, Rodney and Auckland have recently consulted with Waitakere on how the process works.

"In place-based public infrastructure, you are dealing with major architects and placing an artist in the process right at the beginning."

"It is even written into our tender documents that the actual form for the building will have an artistic influence," she says.

19 July

Enhanced service at new headquarters

Customers to Waitakere City Council’s new headquarters can expect enhanced service when it opens its doors on Monday 24 July at 8am.

Having a true "one-stop-shop" operation for the first time, will mean that visitors can be rapidly directed to a point where their needs can be dealt with as conveniently as possible. This is aimed at reducing queuing time to an absolute minimum.

While straightforward transactions, such as receipt of payments and notifying staff of the arrival of visitors, will be handled by the counter staff. Visitors with more complex and time-consuming transactions will be directed to purpose-designed areas adjacent to the main counter.

Adjacent to the counter is a property information area where customers will be able to view pre-ordered property information and also gain access to drainage plans. Staff will be located in this area to assist with any enquiries.

In another area, there are eight interview booths where customers and staff can discuss complex transactions such as lodging building and planning consents.

In addition, a self-help kiosk just inside the main entrance doors will allow customers to access information via the council's website and related sites, and to view rates-related information.

At particularly busy times, such as when rates payments are due, queues may be split to ensure customers with appointments and general queries are still attended to quickly.

The customer focus continues outside the building, with parking times of 15, 30, 60 and 120 minutes - more flexible than the existing 10 and 60 minute designations at the current civic centre.

The council’s website will not change after the move, nor will the 24-hour, 7 day a week call centre.

Once finished, the air bridge over the railway lines will provide a direct link from the centre of Henderson to the council’s customer service area.

Waitakere Central Civic Centre is the council’s new home in the heart of Henderson. It has an administration and civic building of approximately 12,000 square metres and houses over 670 staff. The site is just over one hectare and sits adjacent to A grade office space being developed by Waitakere Properties.

17 July

Waitakere owners take up council’s $20 microchipping

Microchipping of dogs may be a low priority in Auckland but not in Waitakere with either the council or, significantly, dog owners.

In the first two weeks of July, more than 200 Waitakere dog owners voluntarily took up the council’s offer of microchipping their dogs for $20.

The dog owners agree with the Council’s position that microchipping will not prevent dog attacks but there are real benefits largely been overlooked in recent publicity," says Councillor Vanessa Neeson, Chairman of the council’s Planning and Regulatory Committee.

"US studies have shown that with positive ID available, the time microchipped animals spend in an animal shelter before being re-united with their owner can be measured in hours rather than days. This lowers the cost both to the ratepayer and the dog owner," she says.

"Microchipping also solves the problem of identifying stolen dogs. Too often in the past, identifying stolen dogs has been frustrated by the lack of evidence. Microchipping provides positive proof of the identity of the true owner, and dog theft cases can now been pursued through the courts," says Cr Neeson.

Animal Welfare Waitakere has trained its officers to microchip dogs (which can be done at the Animal Welfare Centre, The Concourse, Henderson), for as little as $20. This is a one time cost for the life of a dog, a small amount for the owner if the dog gets lost just once in its lifetime.

12 July

Council puts street litter 'code' on trial

Waitakere City Council is testing the new national code of practice for the distribution of unaddressed mail developed by the Marketing Association.

The code is being promoted by organisations which account for over 95% of all unaddressed mail deliveries a group of distribution companies, retailers, magazine and newspaper publishers including New Zealand Post, Deltarg, PMP Ltd, and the New Zealand Retailers’ Association.

The council has resolved to defer enforcing its own junk mail provisions of the bylaw until it has monitored and assessed the code of practice and decided whether there is a need to retain the junk mail part of the waste bylaw reviewed in 2005.

"We can bring in the bylaw at any time if there is still a problem," says Deputy Mayor Carolynne Stone.

"Further education of the advertising sector, including the real estate industry will be encouraged to promote greater awareness of letterbox stickers," she says.

The key principle of the code is to respect at all times the individual rights of the householder. It prohibits delivery of unaddressed mail to letterboxes with a sign requesting non-delivery, when the letterbox is full, or it is unsuitable for such material. An 0800 number (0800 111 081) will be operated by the Marketing Association from 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday to receive complaints about unaddressed mail delivered to a letterbox displaying a non-delivery sign, or the dumping of bulk quantities of printed material.

Letterbox signs are available from most leading hardware retailers.

10 July

Submission deadline looms

People have until 5pm this Wednesday (July 12) to make comment on a proposed change to Waitakere City Council’s district plan.

The draft change includes a new "Whenuapai Airport Special Area" within the District Plan, which could enable the existing Whenuapai Airforce Base to be used for commercial flights in the future.

An earlier deadline for submissions was extended by the Council for two weeks to enable as many people as possible to have their say.

Some 470 comments on the draft plan change have been received so far.

People have yet another opportunity to make formal submissions when the plan change is publicly notified under the Resource Management Act, in late August.

For that phase of consultation the Council has also decided to canvas views for a longer period than it is legally required to. Rather than the minimum 4 week submission period, people will have 8 weeks in which to make their views known.

Any change to the District Plan, if agreed, does not necessarily mean that Whenuapai will become an airport.

"It just creates a planning structure to enable that sort of activity if that is what is decided in the future," says Vanessa Neeson, chairman of the Council's Planning and Regulatory Committee.

6 July

Council to consult on willow control

The Waitakere City Council is to begin consultation with Bethell's landowners about new plans to eradicate invasive willow trees from the Te Henga wetland.

Willows are a major threat to the wetland’s unique habitat because they block streams, greatly increasing the risk of major flooding, and crowd-out native vegetation.

In addition to having many distinctive wetland plants, the Te Henga wetland is also home to many freshwater birds including the endangered Australasian Bittern, the North Island Fernbird as well as Banded Rail and Marsh Crake.

The council aims to start consulting with affected landowners this month on eradicating the willows using targeted aerial spraying - using a herbicide which is permitted for use near water.

Extensive tests have shown that the herbicide, Roundup G2, breaks down to natural compounds upon contact with water and does not affect fish, invertebrates or birds.

If landowner approval is given, the council aims to conduct a trial spray on willows in a small area first and present the results to landowners.

Targeted aerial spot spraying is the council's preferred method of eradication as the current practice (hand-drilling and injecting individual trees with herbicide) is proving too slow to stop the willows spreading.

Aerial spraying is suitable for dense areas of willows with large leafy canopies.

In areas where there are willows in amongst native flora, the aerial spraying will target individual trees - but only those with large enough canopies and those without native vegetation in their canopies.

Willows not meeting those criteria will continue to be individually drilled and injected.

Mobile weather stations and differential GPS systems will be used in any spraying operation to ensure spray drift is absolutely minimised.

If Bethell's/Te Henga wetland landowners consent to the operation the next step will be to digitally map the willows in September this year.

5 July

Property rates now available on council’s website

Homeowners are able to visit the Waitakere City Council’s Rates Pages and see what rates they will be paying for the coming year.

For the next week access will be via a special link and after that the information can be obtained from the website in the normal way.

The council is promoting this service to assist ratepayers to find out as quickly as possible what their rates will be this year, rather than wait for the first rates notice in August.

The service would be available within 10 days of the adoption of the annual plan in any year, but the Council has brought the service forward to this week, because many ratepayers may be expecting to pay rates based on capital value.

The council wrote to ratepayers in April, telling them what their rates would be if the capital value system was adopted, instead of the traditional land value system.

However, after submissions from the community, the council has retained the land value system for the next year but has changed its method of charging for wastewater.

There will now be a fixed annual charge for wastewater of $350, plus a small variable component based on a property’s land value. Where a property provides more than one dwelling - for example if a house is divided into two flats, or if there are two houses on the one property – $350 each will be charged on each one.

These changes will see rates being charged that are different from those indicated in the letter sent to home-owners in April.

"We decided it was better to spend another year on analysis before making any final decisions," says Councillor Ross Clow, deputy chairman of the Finance and Operational Performance Committee.

"However, we felt that we had to change the wastewater component now. Charging for wastewater as a percentage of a property’s value has no relationship to how much wastewater the property generates," he says.

The council will spend the next 12 months analysing the three rating options available to it – land value, capital value and annual value systems. It will consult on the options before making a final decision on which system to use and how to use it.

1 July

Savings on dog registration fees

Dog owners have until August 1 to save up to $50 to register their pet.

Waitakere City Council approved a rise of $6 to registration fees, making the average fee $74 for a neutered dog.

This rises to $110 from 1 August. Other charges apply for non-desexed dogs, owners with a license and senior citizens.

The increase is to offset a local government levy for the National Dog Database, which is determined by Central Government.

Those owners with a dog owner’s license will pay only $54 to register their pet (desexed). Find out more about obtaining a dog owner license, or call the Animal Welfare Centre on 839 0400.

Waitakere ratepayers fund only 31% of dog control operations, compared to Auckland City (50%) and Manukau City (49%).

Micro chipping is now also available at the Animal Welfare Centre for $20 per dog.