Latest news with #UpperHuttCityCouncil
Scoop
5 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Porirua Backs Regional Approach To Water Services Delivery
Press Release – Porirua City Council They voted unanimously to recommend that Council should jointly establish and co-own a new water organisation with Upper Hutt City Council, Hutt City Council, Wellington City Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council. Porirua City Council's Te Puna Kōrero committee has endorsed a joint regional approach for water services delivery. As part of the Local Water Done Well reform, the Government has mandated that councils must review how water services are delivered. Te Puna Kōrero met this morning to deliberate and made a recommendation to Council, after consulting on two options for a future water services delivery model – a new water services organisation, or a modified version of the status quo. They voted unanimously to recommend that Council should jointly establish and co-own a new water organisation with Upper Hutt City Council, Hutt City Council, Wellington City Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council. Under this model, a multi-council-owned water organisation will take ownership of public water assets. The alternative was a modified version of the current Wellington Water model, where councils retain ownership while Wellington Water manages water services. That recommendation will need to be endorsed at the full Council meeting on 26 June. All five councils are independently making decisions by the end of June on how to proceed. Officers will then develop a joint Water Services Delivery Plan and foundation documents for the new organisation, which must be lodged with the Department of Internal Affairs by 3 September 2025. The intention is that Council will transfer its assets, debt, liabilities and services in relation to drinking water, wastewater and stormwater to the new organisation by1 July 2026. In making today's decision, the committee unanimously supported an amendment from Councillor Geoff Hayward, setting out the principles Porirua City wants reflected in the new organisation's foundation documents. These include recognising water as a public good, safeguarding households from disconnection, value for money, fair pricing, supporting local employment, and upholding Te Mana o te Wai. Porirua Mayor Anita Baker said like many parts of the country, Porirua's water networks faced significant challenges. 'We have old pipes that cause water leaks, contribute to water shortages and are a main contributor to pollution in the harbour. 'While we've poured all the money we can into funding water assets, we simply can't address these challenges on our own. Doing nothing is not an option, and we believe the new model is the best way forward for Porirua.'
Scoop
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Library Exhibition Turned School Roadshow Brings Upper Hutt History To Life For Local Students
Press Release – Upper Hutt City Council Heretaunga College has been first in line to display the interactive exhibition, which comes with a suite of information panels and large-scale photographs from Upper Hutts community archive as well as original artefacts and audio content. Following its success during last year's Wellington Heritage Festival, 'Upper Hutt: City of Industry' continues to shine a light on an iconic period in the city's history. First hosted at the Upper Hutt Central Library, the exhibition recently set off on a tour of local secondary schools, inviting students to explore the manufacturers and trades which put the city on the map at the end of the twentieth century. Heretaunga College has been first in line to display the interactive exhibition, which comes with a suite of information panels and large-scale photographs from Upper Hutt's community archive as well as original artefacts and audio content. 'The exhibition features a specially programmed, original Telecom push-button phone, which essentially allows students to travel back in time. It plays oral histories from locals who spent much of their working lives contributing to this chapter in Upper Hutt's history,' says Libraries Manager Denise Clarkson. She adds that the community's input into the exhibition was significant. 'Our heritage staff were thrilled to see the generosity of long-time residents, who donated or loaned us authentic items and photographs. It's thanks to this active collaboration that 'City of Industry' was such a hit last year, and that our team were able to curate an engaging, multi-faceted exhibition.' The roadshow also provides historical context to a current major Upper Hutt attraction. Students will be familiar with the family-friendly Brewtown precinct, now a popular entertainment and event venue, and previously the site of the city-defining Dunlop/South Pacific Tyres factory. 'Our city's time as a manufacturing hub has a lasting impact on our community today,' says Mike Ryan, Upper Hutt City Council's Group Manager Community Services. 'The industrial boom forged a strong sense of local identity and place here. Encouraging students to learn about this important period is an opportunity to spark creativity, inspiration, and innovation.' Last week, staff involved in the curation and development of the exhibition led a talk at the National Digital Forum conference in Wellington, sharing their project with the wider culture, heritage, and arts sectors. 'Upper Hutt: City of Industry' is next scheduled to be displayed at Hutt International Boys' School.
