Wayne Guppy | mayor

Inside...A message from the Mayor

3 | Bed Bath and Beyond opens

4 | 50 Photographs a hit

2 | Councillor Hellen Swales

4 | Community funding

2 | Regional governance updateAs we move into winter, we have

now had the announcement

from the Local Government

Commission (LGC) concerning

regional governance. It is clear that

the LGC has listened to the various

communities, by abandoning the

supercity proposal. I can assure

you that the cities in the region will

continue to work together for the

benefit of the Wellington region.

On 24 June we will finally adopt

the Long Term Plan 2015 – 2025

following our consultation process,

which received 274 submissions.

We put a strong focus on making

the consultation process easier

to engage with, interactive,

and visually more appealing.

Council endeavoured to make the

consultation material informative

and concise, and allow the right

debate to take place. I am pleased

to say that the feedback that

Council received was very positive.

86% of submitters supported or

strongly supported our proposed

direction, 90% supported covering

existing core services along with

new investment, whilst 64%

supported some new projects.

The overall acceptance and

understanding of the proposed

debt level was 93%.

Late last year we launched the

Economic Development Stimulus

Policy. This policy encourages

development to encourage

employment and increase in GDP

growth, as well as supporting

building upgrades to elevate the

presentation and the structural

safety of Upper Hutt premises. The

results to date and the attraction

the policy is receiving in the

business community is extremely

encouraging. The policy received

significant exposure through the

media, including NZ Business, NZ

Retail, plus a number of feature

articles in the Dominion Post. It

continues to stimulate interest

and investment leads in our city.

There have been a number of local

and new businesses expressing

their appreciation to Council after

obtaining economic assistance

through the policy, and they all

comment on the positive effect

that it has had on their business.

We look forward to this policy

stimulating further success.

I have also recently been involved

in a discussion involving the Rule

Reduction Taskforce, which was

established by Local Government

Minister Paula Bennett in 2014.

I applaud any move to reduce

the red tape and some of the

absolutely ridiculous rules that we

live and work under. This is about

making it easier for people, letting

them get on with what they want

to do, and reducing the complex

decision making environment that

has had a dramatic effect on the

cost of local government and its

culture—especially the way staff

and elected members have had to

approach risk.

Valley NewsUPPER HUTT CITY

June 2015 | Upper Hutt City Council Newsletter

/mayor.wayneguppy

Nominate a good citizen Any resident of Upper Hutt

who has done meritorious

voluntary community service

for the city is eligible for

nomination for a Civic Award.

We are looking for

outstanding and innovative

voluntary community service

to others in the community.

A Civic Award recipient will

not have received other

public recognition for their

community service in

the form of other awards

(unless in exceptional

circumstances).

A nomination must be

signed by at least two

residents of Upper Hutt. A

nomination from an Upper

Hutt organisation must

be signed by at least two

executive members of that

organisation.

If a nomination is successful,

we will contact the nominee

to find out if they wish to

accept the award.

Nominations received by 4

July will be considered for

this year’s awards.

Find more information online or

download a nomination form at

upperhuttcity.com/Civic-Awards

WILL YOU BE READY?

TM

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NATIONAL EARTHQUAKE DRILL 9:15AM, 15 OCTOBER 2015

REGISTER NOW AT:WWW.SHAKEOUT.GOVT.NZ

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2

Upper Hutt to pilot LGNZ ‘We are’ campaignLocal Government New Zealand (LGNZ) is a

council-membered organisation tasked with

advocating collectively and nationally on local

government issues. They are embarking on a

nationwide campaign to raise awareness of what

local government provides for the people. The

campaign, loosely called ‘We are,’ uses a mix of

photography and words, profiling real-life benefits

that local government brings to its communities.

The idea is that each community will be able to

highlight services and assets specific to them.

Upper Hutt has been chosen to pilot the

programme through a series of billboards placed

at strategic locations throughout our city. Upper

Hutt’s test case will be exposed widely throughout

the country as a living example while LGNZ

promote the campaign to other councils. We

have utilised the services of some of our local

photographers and now their work is to be put on

the national stage. This is good for their business,

but once again Upper Hutt and its great features,

amenities and assets are being showcased,

promoted, and celebrated.

A word from Councillor Hellen SwalesI am in my second term as one of your

elected representatives and I enjoy the

opportunity to represent your views around

the council table.

I want to thank you for inviting me to attend

meetings to hear what is happening in our

community. Doing so gives me a better

understanding of your needs. I’d also like to

thank those that send through many emails

asking for help with issues that face our

community. Many of you have asked how

to engage with Council during our public

business session at the beginning of each

Council meeting, and I know that for first-

timers this can be a very daunting experience.

It is pleasing to see the work start on our train

station, which was well over due, and to learn

of the progress to date. It will be an attractive

window to our city and far more welcoming than

what it is replacing.

We have almost finished the second LTP (Long

Term Plan) I have been involved in and I want to

congratulate those first-timers for engaging with

this process. We received an amazing 70% of

first-timers this time round and it was great to

see that the community put their support behind

those projects we went out and consulted on.

And to those that came along and presented new

projects, I want to say the calibre of work and

research that had gone into your presentations

were rewarded with their inclusion into our LTP.

The feedback was constructive and supportive for

the vision for our city going forward.

Whilst we have just had the great news that the

supercity is off the table, this does not mean that

the commissioners have put this issue to bed

once and for all. So as a community we need to be

aware that talks will still take place looking at ways

that an amalgamation of some sort might still be

possible. Let’s continue to have our voice heard

that the status quo is our preferred option.

Regional governance Many of you will have heard by now that the

supercity proposal by the Local Government

Commission (LGC) has been abandoned.

However the LGC still believes there “was a

widespread mood for some form of change.”

We have been told that the LGC will undertake

a more open engagement process to

increasingly develop a greater consensus on a

preferred approach to change. They have stated

that they are looking forward to “collaborating

and engaging with councils and communities

in Northland and Wellington.”

It is assumed that any changes are unlikely to

happen within the next three years, however

Council is committed to keeping you informed

on any new information as it comes to light.

THE NUMBERS(SOURCE: LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION)

Hutt City 21% of regional population 2,904 submissions (32%)

Upper Hutt 9% of regional population 2,389 submissions (26%)

Wellington 41% of regional population 834 submissions (9%)

Porirua 11% of regional population 157 submissions (2%)

Kapiti 10% of regional population 606 submissions (7%)

Masterton 5% of regional population 713 submissions (8%)

Carterton 2% of regional population 628 submissions (7%)

S. Wairarapa 2% of regional population 400 submissions (4%)

Total submissions

9,142

89% against

8,173

10% for

928

LGC’s proposed changes to Wellington region local government structure

3

Retailers embrace workshopsThe Upper Hutt business community has enthusiastically embraced

workshops coordinated by Upper Hutt City Council. The latest workshop on

Business Crime Prevention was run by NZ Police in direct response to issues

raised by the retail and business community.

An email security alert system has been established as a means of swiftly

distributing descriptions of alleged offenders.

Business movementsNew

BurgerFuel

Bed Bath & Beyond

Concept Curtains

Print Big

Business profile—Bed Bath and Beyond

The NZ Police booklet, Business Crime Prevention Advice is available

online in English, Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, and Gujarati

www.police.govt.nz/about-us/publication/business-crime-prevention-advice

Business Crime Prevention - Korean

Business Crime Prevention - Hindi

vyaapairkApraQainavaarNa

Business Crime Prevention - Gujarati

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NÉÖ{ÉÉyÉÅyÉÉ´¬´É»Éɬ©ÉÉÅ

Business Crime Prevention - Simplified Chinese

ئم ا جلرمنــعا

جاريةالت

Business Crime Prevention - Arabic

The Wellington Airport Community Awards

are now open. Has your community group,

club or collective delivered a great service or

opportunity for the people of Upper Hutt? If

you know a group that is making a positive

impact for the community, big or small, then

you are encouraged to fill in the short form

to nominate them, or encourage them to

nominate themselves.

There are five award categories: Heritage and

Environment, Health and Wellbeing, Arts and

Culture, Sports and Leisure, and Education and

Child/Youth Development. New for 2015, the

Rising Star award recognises emerging and

smaller groups.

Category winners receive $1,000, and runners up

receive $250. An additional $1,000 will be awarded to Upper Hutt’s Supreme Winner. Upper

Hutt category winners will also be invited to

represent Upper Hutt at the regional awards.

Nominations close 30 June and the Upper

Hutt awards ceremony will be held in August.

For more information or to nominate, go to:

upperhuttcity.com/community/awards/wellington-airport-awards

Wellington Airport Community Awards

Is your home making you sick?

BOOK YOUR FREE IN-HOME CONSULTATION ON 527 2169

Learn how to make your home warmer, drier, and healthier.

Or find out more at www.upperhuttcity.com/waste-sustainability/eco-friendly-home-advice

Mister Mint

True Tattoo

Nudge Consulting

All Asia Foods

Moved or moving

Maidstone Sports

Bentley and Sue Optometrist

Arkwright’s Empire

A recent high-profile addition to The Mall has come from Bed

Bath and Beyond. The store opened in May, creating new job

opportunities and providing a unique retail offering.

The Bed Bath and Beyond team are thrilled with the reception

they have had from their Upper Hutt fans. Before the store was

opened they were receiving facebook messages and posts

asking about the store’s progress.

“We have not been disappointed. Support from the Upper Hutt

community has been overwhelming and the store is enjoying

great success. We look forward to being a one stop shop for

everything manchester and home décor in Upper Hutt.”

Council’s Economic Development Manager, Phil Gorman is

excited about yet another high-quality addition to Upper Hutt’s

City Centre, “We are experiencing a paradigm shift from

previously held perceptions of Upper Hutt as an increasing

number of businesses see Upper Hutt as a relevant and

valuable market to set up shop in.”

Later opening(NOT OPEN LATE)

Please note that beginning on 1 July, Council

will open to the public at the later time of 9.00

am on the first Wednesday of every month.

All other opening and closing times

remain the same.

To find out if your group or business is eligible for a community grant, go to

upperhuttcity.com/community-grants

Upper Hutt City Council

838 – 842 Fergusson Drive

Private Bag 907

Upper Hutt 5140

T (04) 527 2169

E askus@uhcc.govt.nz

W upperhuttcity.com

F fb.com/upperhuttcitycouncil

Don’t forget the 50 photographsExpressions Arts and Entertainment Centre is seeing unprecedented visitor

volumes, thanks to recent exhibitions on offer. The opening of National

Geographic’s 50 Greatest Photographs has garnered national media attention

and the venue is enjoying a spike in visitor numbers from out of town. This is

a great opportunity for Upper Hutt to put on its best as we host guests from

around the country.

But also bear in mind that Expressions belongs to the residents of Upper

Hutt. It is a council-owned venue that is managed by a trust for the benefit of

Upper Hutt residents. Make sure you get along and make the most of what

Expressions has to offer through exhibitions and events.

Feedback from the National Geographic exhibition has been overwhelmingly

positive with expectations being exceeded, and many wishing they had allowed

more time to take it all in. The busiest day saw over 800 visitors through the

gallery with a queue extending out the door. The exhibition is open until

26 July—entry by donation.

UnscriptedIn July last year the Upper Hutt

City Library piloted Unscripted, an

8-week drama and improvisation

programme for those aged 50+.

The programme was designed to

meet the needs of this age group

by providing an opportunity for

social contact and connection,

mental activity and cognitive

wellbeing. Research has shown

that community arts-based

programmes are an ideal vehicle

for health promotion, disease

prevention, and reducing

dependency.

Recent studies have revealed that,

as people age, there is a higher

risk of social isolation. Loneliness,

in turn, has now also been linked

to accelerated decline in health.

By the end of the 8 weeks,

participants had formed strong

friendships. One member said

she hadn’t laughed so much in

70 years!

The group was so successful

that it is now self-managed and

still meets at the Library every

Tuesday at 1.30 pm. New people

have joined and are always made

to feel welcome.

When a recent participant was ill

the group rallied around cooking

meals, doing chores, and offering

their homes for recuperation.

Take a look at their Facebook page

fb.com/UnscriptedUpperHutt

Urban Growth and Rural Strategies Update The Upper Hutt Urban Growth Strategy was adopted in 2007. A lot has

changed in Upper Hutt since then, so it is now time to review the document

to ensure that it continues to provide a sound strategic platform for the future

growth of the city and surrounds.

Alongside the review of the Urban Growth Strategy, Council sought

preliminary feedback from communities in order to inform the development of

a Rural Strategy. This has so far included two rounds of consultation to identify

the key issues we face in our rural areas, and to understand the outcomes the

community wants to see over the longer term. Together, the two strategies

will provide an outline of the future of Upper Hutt over the next 30 years.

To date, the Urban Growth Strategy has focused mostly on the urban areas

while work being done to develop the Rural Strategy has focused on the city’s

surrounding rural areas. Many of the issues however are relevant to both the

urban and rural areas. We’re now aiming to integrate our planning across the

urban and rural communities. In July we will seeking informal feedback on an

Issues and Options paper for the Urban Growth Strategy and to pick up where

we left off on the Rural Strategy.

Need funding?Does your community group

or business need funding for a

particular project or initiative?

Upper Hutt City Council’s

Community Grants are

currently open for applications

and will close on 31 July.

If you are part of an organisation

that services Upper Hutt

residents and your organisation

or initiative falls within one of

four categories, then you may

be eligible for a grant.

The Community Grant is for

groups that reside in the Upper

Hutt area and primarily service

Upper Hutt residents.

The Regional Grant is for

groups that are situated

outside of Upper Hutt but

service a large portion of the

Upper Hutt population.

The Zero Waste Grant supports

practical waste minimisation

projects that encourage

community participation

and long-term action.

The Sustainable Business

Grant is available to assist

local businesses with

sustainability initiatives,

such as purchasing a worm

farm, undertaking a waste

audit, or for membership

in a sustainable business

accreditation scheme.

Physical copies can be

obtained from Council

Reception (Civic Centre) or

Upper Hutt City Library.