i Hutt City 28 AuGuSt 2012 i LOVE HUTT CITY BECAuSE... Everything is so accessible: shops, libraries, parks – they’re all at our doorstep,” says Normandale mother of three, marathon runner and avid book reader Janette Gwilliam. “But best of all, there’s space in this city to breathe. Wellington may claim the cultural crown, but I’ll take the Hutt’s convenience any time.” Janette’s three daughters – two now at school and one a pre-schooler – share her passion for books, so she seldom leaves War Memorial Library or Moera Library with less than a couple of dozen books under her arms – a handy contribution to the more than one million items they lend each year. Janette is delighted at the introduction last year of the SMART card, which allows users to borrow any of up to half a million books, videos and CDs from 23 libraries in the region. “It has opened up a whole new world of reading. It’s especially useful if you’re reading a series and some of the books aren’t in your local library.” Born in Hawke’s Bay, Janette moved south in 1998, settling in a Moera cottage she and her husband only recently sold for a more spacious, modern home in the western hills. Her marathon training (she’s completed two marathons in the past two months) has given her another reason to love the city – she’s discovered off-road Hutt. Joining members of the Hutt Valley Marathon Clinic (“an awesome club”) for regular runs has taken her into the hills, following all manner of out-of-the-way tracks and trails. Belmont National Park, right at her back door, is a particular favourite – and another reason to stay put in the Hutt. www.huttcity.govt.nz Our Hutt City ArCHiVE tOurS tO tEmpt Local in BriEF govErnmEnt tHE CuriOuS Survey Visiting a local government archive Memorable images include scenes may not sound like an exciting of shoppers, newly developing prospect to some, but the council’s suburbs, state housing and sporting resuLtS storage depot contains a treasure- clubs. Also on display will be a A majority of people in the trove of interesting material, says sample of maps showing town nAEnAE pArK OpEninG Wellington region want no change plans, street layouts and borough head archivist Jennie Henton. to current local government Naenae youth are about to be boundaries – frequently produced Jennie and her staff have organised boundaries, a survey has found. officially handed their new recreation by hand. two guided tours of the purpose- area. Mayor Ray Wallace will open built Hutt Road archive, which Other items on show will be The Colmar Brunton telephone the Treadwell Street facility on contains nearly 80,000 files, some documents from 1853 establishing survey of 3,300 adults – or 400 September 1 during three hours of dating back to the 1880s. Another provincial government in the region; in each council area – found that fun that will include a free sausage 10,000 records will be stored in a log book of 1874 recording the 58 per cent of respondents were sizzle and drinks, a DJ, a host of the humidity and temperature- opening of the railway line from happy with the status quo, though on-site activities, free access from controlled facility before Wellington to Petone; a record of many wanted better sharing of 1-3pm to the Naenae Pool – and a earthquake-strengthening of the the establishment of Hutt County services among councils. chance to put forward suggestions Council; Taita cemetery records council’s Laings Road offices. for the park’s name. Activities run from 1892-1932; establishment of Of the remaining respondents, from 11am - 2pm. The park’s main The tours will coincide with the Hutt River Board in 1899 after 12 per cent favoured a merger of feature is a court with an all-purpose Heritage Month, a series of events extreme flooding; the visit of the the nine regional, district and local surface for basketball and netball. in the Hutt Valley and Wellington Duke and Duchess of York in 1901; councils into three groupings, organised by the Wellington Region architectural drawings of a house while 9 per cent favoured a Wi-Fi nOW in ALL LiBrAriES Heritage Promotion Council. in 1905; and first editions of the merger into two groupings, and Free wi-fi is now available at all eight Eastbourne Sun (1922) and Hutt Jennie says visitors will be able to a further 9 per cent favoured council libraries. Anyone with an News (1927). see selections from a wealth of a single super-city entity. Two internet-enabled device such as a records, maps and photographic The guided tours will be held on per cent favoured other change tablet, laptop or mobile phone can link material held in the archive. Minute September 5 and 19 from 10.30am options, and 10 per cent were into the service, which is available books of early council meetings till12.30pm. Admission is free, undecided. during library hours. The wireless provide an insight into early civic but bookings are essential. Phone service has been operating at War and domestic life in the Hutt 589 0460. There will also be a Hutt City Council is now preparing Memorial Library for the past few Valley. She has also unearthed display of council archival material a discussion document based months while work on its full roll- photographs showing Hutt life in at War Memorial Library from on the survey results, along with out continued, and digital services the 1950s and 60s. September 3-28. a questionnaire, which it will co-ordinator Shane O’Connor says it distribute to every household in has proved highly popular. “We have the city next month. already had to increase the number-of- Reviving the past: Archivist Jennie Henton with some of the material she users allowance twice, so it’s clearly has selected for display very useful for people who want a basic web-surfing and email service.” OpiniOnS SOuGHt On niGHt mArKEt SitE Hutt residents are being invited to road regulations, before making a make their views known about final decision. It will also distribute where to locate the night market, a questionnaire to neighbouring launched in December last year to retailers to gauge their views before help rejuvenate the city centre. choosing a site. The market was held in Laings To make your views known, email Road till April when bad weather [email protected]. forced its closure till November. With that date only a few months away, the council is considering whether to resume in the same place or at two other possible venues: in a section of High Street or in part of Margaret Street. Each will require a temporary road closure. The council has publicly notified its intention to close all three roads, in compliance with facebook.com/huttcitycouncil twitter.com/huttcitycouncil www.huttcity.govt.nz/whatson BiG rESpOnSE tO pLAn CHAnGE prOpOSAL A proposed change to the District than the public in general or are Plan affecting the western end representing a relevant aspect of of Petone has attracted nearly the public interest,” she says. 250 submissions from a variety The council will advise all of residents, businesses and submitters how to make a further interested groups. submission, and also where they By the close of submissions can get a copy of the summary on August 10, a total of 247 of submissions, along with any submitters had sent in their views individual submissions they would of the change, which proposes a like to see. wider variety of uses in the area, A public notice in the Hutt News along with some relaxation of will explain how to make a further development rules. submission – information that Divisional manager of will also be posted on the council environmental policy Bronwyn Little website. says council officers are preparing More general information on a summary of submissions, district plan changes can be found which will be publicly notified in at the Ministry for Environment September, in accordance with the website: http://www.mfe.govt.nz/ DiVErS ready tO pLUNGE Resource Management Act 1991. publications/rma/everyday/consent- “There will then be a 10-day period submission/ for further submissions by people INTO CLEAn-UP DRIVE who have an interest greater Ready for action: Andrew Kopnoff registering with him will ensure tests the water near Petone Wharf there is no duplication of areas before next month’s Keep New targeted for attention. Registration CHiLE beckonS over Zealand Beautiful Week when he also gives groups a means to seek will join a team of divers organised volunteers – and to get collection by local business Dive & Ski HQ to bags and disposable gloves. clean up under the pier. Alan can be reached on 570 6890 ExCELLEnCE awArD Dive & Ski HQ training manager or at [email protected]. Claire Murphy says that last year The council is also organising a Hutt City Council’s win in last year’s New Zealand have wanted to hear divers found shopping trolleys, hazardous waste collection at the New Zealand Business Excellence how we achieved such results – fishing tackle, rods and knives, and riverbank carpark from 10am till 2pm Award has taken its chief executive and now there is an opportunity plastic bags, containers and other on September 23. on a far-flung speaking engagement. to tell that story to an international audience.” litter. About a dozen divers took part, Organiser Sandy Beath-Croft says Tony Stallinger flew to Chile’s capital assisted by an almost equal number it’s a good opportunity for people to of Santiago on August 25 to talk Tony’s address, entitled “Sustaining on shore, and she is hoping for an get rid of non-commercial quantities at an international conference on financial success in difficult times”, even better turnout this time round.