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No one knows when or where earthquakes will occur, but everyone can be prepared.
The simplest thing you can do to keep your family safe in a quake is to secure objects and furniture. This reduces the chance they will fall over causing injury or damage.
Click here to see how easy it is to … View moreNo one knows when or where earthquakes will occur, but everyone can be prepared.
The simplest thing you can do to keep your family safe in a quake is to secure objects and furniture. This reduces the chance they will fall over causing injury or damage.
Click here to see how easy it is to make your home safer in an earthquake.
Hutt City Council’s building inspection team met with engineers for Queensgate Shopping Centre (complex) today.
This follows an earlier rapid-assessment of the complex by Queensgate engineers when damage to the north-eastern car park area of the complex was reported to Council after the 14 … View moreHutt City Council’s building inspection team met with engineers for Queensgate Shopping Centre (complex) today.
This follows an earlier rapid-assessment of the complex by Queensgate engineers when damage to the north-eastern car park area of the complex was reported to Council after the 14 November 7.8 earthquake. This area is structurally a separate building to the rest of the complex. As a safety precaution Council closed the corners of Waterloo Road and Bloomfield Terrace following this report.
A full assessment has now been completed by Queensgate’s engineers and Council has been informed the north-eastern building of the complex is a safety risk in the event of another earthquake.
A map showing the affected north-eastern building is attached (the red-coloured block). It includes a section of the complex’s car park and Event Cinemas Queensgate.
Council’s engineers have also inspected the complex and confirm the safety risk warrants Council issuing a 129 notice under the Building Act on the affected north-eastern building. The notice requires action to be taken to remove the danger posed by the building.
Hutt City Council’s Chief Executive Tony Stallinger says, “Public safety is paramount. Our current advice is that the best way to minimise risk to the public is to demolish the building which is part of the Queensgate Shopping Centre.
“We know this will inconvenience the public and impact on business. However, the likelihood of significant damage in another earthquake is high. Our number one priority is to ensure people are safe and lives are not put at risk.
“Safety has been a priority for both Council and Queensgate and we have been working closely together since the earthquake. We will continue to work together to ensure the affected building is demolished with as little disruption as possible and safety is maintained at all times.”
Because of the height of the affected Queensgate building, there is a safety risk for two neighbouring buildings should there be another earthquake: New World Hutt City supermarket and the restaurant, bar and conference area of The Angus Inn hotel.
There are no issues with these neighbouring buildings but because of their location next to the affected Queensgate building they are being evacuated this evening. This decision is based on engineers’ advice.
Extended cordons have also been put in place along Waterloo Road and Bloomfield Terrace. These cordons are represented by the shaded red lines on the attached map.
About 80 shops in the unaffected Queensgate Shopping Centre complex will open tomorrow (Friday 25 November). This area of the complex has been assessed by engineers and is structurally sound and Council has granted a Certificate of Public Use today.
When further information on the timing of demolition of the affected building is available it will be shared with media and updates posted on Council’s website huttcity.govt.nz and Facebook page facebook.com/huttcitycouncil
With the launch of the Foot It campaign, we've all been talking about walking, cycling and scooting to school, and you've been coming up with some great ideas to support our kids.
But for some families it's not an option - especially if you live in a rural area, or your kids go to a… View moreWith the launch of the Foot It campaign, we've all been talking about walking, cycling and scooting to school, and you've been coming up with some great ideas to support our kids.
But for some families it's not an option - especially if you live in a rural area, or your kids go to a school on the other side of town. So tell us the main mode of transport by which your children or grandchildren commute.
Plus: Don't forget to join up to a Foot It Club at www.neighbourly.co.nz..., and go into the draw to WIN one of 50 Micro scooters.
You decorate your tree for Christmas right? How about your...letterbox?
Announcing the Mike Pero Christmas Letterbox Competition - a partnership between us (Mike Pero Real Estate) - and our friends at Neighbourly. It's pretty simple; we're challenging you to head down your driveway and … View moreYou decorate your tree for Christmas right? How about your...letterbox?
Announcing the Mike Pero Christmas Letterbox Competition - a partnership between us (Mike Pero Real Estate) - and our friends at Neighbourly. It's pretty simple; we're challenging you to head down your driveway and decorate your letterbox for the festive season! Share a photo on your Neighbourly noticeboard using the hashtag #christmasletterbox before 11 December and we'll put you in the draw to win great prizes - including Prezzy® cards!
Help Santa find his way by decorating your letterbox this Christmas! Find out more.
The footpath and road on the corners of Waterloo Road and Bloomfield Terrace is closed as a safety precaution. This follows council receiving a report from the structural engineers checking the Queensgate Mall regarding damage to a section of the car park building.
Some Queensgate shops are open.… View moreThe footpath and road on the corners of Waterloo Road and Bloomfield Terrace is closed as a safety precaution. This follows council receiving a report from the structural engineers checking the Queensgate Mall regarding damage to a section of the car park building.
Some Queensgate shops are open. Queensgate PostShop/Kiwibank, BNZ, and Salute Hair and Day Spa on Queens Drive (adjacent to Queensgate) are open. Countdown Queensgate and Zampelles are also open. If you have questions about Queensgate please visit queensgateshopping.co.nz or www.facebook.com...
Due to the closure of Waterloo Road bus stops 8160 (Waterloo Road at Queensgate) and stop 9160 (Waterloo Road at Bloomfield Terrace) are closed until further notice.
Bus users are asked to use the main bus stops at Bunny Street if travelling to Petone, or Queens Drive outside Cash Converters for R130 to Naenae or R150 to Kelson. Customers for Naenae or Kelson may also choose to use bus stop 9162 (Cornwall Street at Queens Grove).
Routes affected: 130, 150, 160*, 170*
*Routes 160 & 170 are only diverted travelling to Lower Hutt, and NOT to Wainuiomata which are unaffected.
For up to date information on road closures and recovery updates visit the link below
If you live in the Hutt and want more accessibility to physical activities, this would be a great meeting for you to attend! It's a good opportunity to talk about the types of physical activities you want to see in your community.
Red Cross team members have been working in Kaikoura to link households with services and essential supplies. They're also on hand to provide wellbeing support for those who are struggling with the quake's impact or for people who have just been told they can't stay in their homes.
… View moreRed Cross team members have been working in Kaikoura to link households with services and essential supplies. They're also on hand to provide wellbeing support for those who are struggling with the quake's impact or for people who have just been told they can't stay in their homes.
"There's so much food and stuff gone, but we're alive - that's the main thing," says Kaikoura resident Diane Edkins (pictured) who finds out whether her house is given the all-clear while a Red Cross volunteer is with her: www.redcross.org.nz...
Please donate to Red Cross' November 2016 Earthquake Appeal at www.redcross.org.nz... Thank you for your support.
Since the 1980s, the proportion of children being dropped off in a car has doubled to nearly 55 per cent. With it has come worsened air pollution, greater congestion, and increased danger as more kids are involved in road accidents. Worse, it has undermined our community cohesion: Schools can and … View moreSince the 1980s, the proportion of children being dropped off in a car has doubled to nearly 55 per cent. With it has come worsened air pollution, greater congestion, and increased danger as more kids are involved in road accidents. Worse, it has undermined our community cohesion: Schools can and should be the hearts of our communities
.
We're backing schools to set up walking buses and other solutions, with parents and volunteers helping local kids get to class safely.
We wrote to the nation's mayors pleading with them to lower speed limits outside schools, and many have come back to us with expressions of support. We talked to well-known New Zealanders with school-aged kids, and they united behind the campaign.
You can get involved too. We know people are busy, so the Sunday Star-Times and Neighbourly are encouraging families to choose one day a week when they and their kids walk, scoot, cycle - even ride a horse if that's what works for you!
I've chosen Mondays as the days I'll cycle to school with my 6-year-old son. And Neighbourly has set up a special pledge page, where you can choose a day when you will try to Foot It with your kids, talk with others doing the same - and go into the draw to win one of 50 Micro scooters. www.neighbourly.co.nz...
Udy Street in Petone remains closed between Kensington Ave and Britannia street due to a blown culvert. Wellington Water are arranging an inspection tomorrow. Once the inspection is complete, we will advise when that section of the road will reopen.
The Silverstream Landfill will be closed tomorrow… View moreUdy Street in Petone remains closed between Kensington Ave and Britannia street due to a blown culvert. Wellington Water are arranging an inspection tomorrow. Once the inspection is complete, we will advise when that section of the road will reopen.
The Silverstream Landfill will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday 16 November), as trees have blocked access to the landfill. However rubbish and recycling will be collected as usual.
RIVERS & STREAMS
Waiwhetu Stream is now within its banks. Residents who were advised to evacuate can now return to their homes. They need to be aware of any risks. Council Building Officers will do a door-to-door knock on Wednesday to assess damage. Any concerns contact Hutt City Council 04 570 6666
ROADS
Wainuiomata Hill Road: both southbound lanes to Wainuiomata are open. On the sided of the road there is a slip and a downed pole, so be cautious.
Eastern Hutt Road: both lanes now open. Surface flooding under Silverstream Rail Bridge – drive with care.
SH2 northbound Petone - Ngauranga is open, but reduced to one lane - heavy traffic, expect delays
WELLINGTON HARBOUR FERRY UPDATE:
The harbour ferry is sailing this afternoon.
Due to repairs and inspection completed at Days Bay Wharf the harbour ferry will be operating to a restricted timetable departing Queens Wharf at 4:30 pm, 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm.
Departing Days Bay at 4:55pm, 5:55 pm and 6:50 pm.
No sailings in or out of Seatoun.
Has your home been damaged by the recent earthquakes? Click here to make a claim with EQC.
ROADS AND TRANSPORT
Vehicle access is closed on Daly Street between High Street and Andrews Ave. One side of the footpath is also closed with work to be completed to a building in the coming days.
Udy Street is closed between Kensington Ave and Britannia Street, repairs are underway to a burst … View moreROADS AND TRANSPORT
Vehicle access is closed on Daly Street between High Street and Andrews Ave. One side of the footpath is also closed with work to be completed to a building in the coming days.
Udy Street is closed between Kensington Ave and Britannia Street, repairs are underway to a burst water main.
All other Lower Hutt roads are open.
All public transport is operating.
COUNCIL SERVICES
Silverstream Landfill is closed. It is set to open on Saturday. Fallen trees are blocking the road and up to 40 more trees require removal to ensure no further risk. Kerbside rubbish and recycling collection is going ahead as usual.
All other Council facilities are open.
OTHER SERVICES THROUGHOUT LOWER HUTT
QUEENSGATE SHOPPING CENTRE
Is currently closed until Sunday 20 November. Visit queensgateshopping.co.nz for more info.
WAINUIOMATA MALL / COUNTDOWN WAINUIOMATA
The Wainuiomata Mall is currently closed From today, Countdown will be running a free bus services from Countdown Wainuiomata carpark twice daily to Countdown Petone for local customers. The bus will leave from outside the WINZ office in the Wainuiomata Mall main carpark at 10am and 5pm. It will return approximately an hour later from Petone to Countdown Wainuiomata. Visit Countdown Supermarkets for more info
COUNCIL BUILDING INSPECTIONS
Council officers have completed assessment of the 59 earthquake-prone buildings registered in the city, and one of these buildings requires further inspection by an engineer.
Council officers are now investigating any other buildings that they’ve been notified about.
Concerned a building has structural damage?
If you’re the tenant of a building that you suspect has suffered structural damage please notify the owner in the first instance and then inform Council of the address.
If a building does have structural damage the owner will need to get an engineer’s report, we can advise them on the steps they need to take. We really want to encourage tenants and owners to let us know of any concerns. Contact Council on 04 570 6666 or report it online huttcity.govt.nz/rap
Water supplied to Wellington, Porirua, Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt is safe to drink.
Monday's earthquake stirred up sediment in reservoirs and pipes that caused discolouration of the water - but it is still safe to drink.
We received reports of dirty water from all over the four cities … View moreWater supplied to Wellington, Porirua, Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt is safe to drink.
Monday's earthquake stirred up sediment in reservoirs and pipes that caused discolouration of the water - but it is still safe to drink.
We received reports of dirty water from all over the four cities shortly after the earthquake. It should now have settled. However, there may be some places where it hasn't, or where dirty water still needs to be cleared.
If you do have dirty water please call your city council so that we can come out and flush the mains. Once it has been flushed, we'll let you know so that you can flush your inside pipes. The best way to do this is to run an outside tap until it clears. If it hasn't cleared after 15 minutes please contact your city council again. We'll then get in touch to work with you on isolating the problem.
From 3:30pm all services on the Hutt Valley, Kapiti and Johnsonville lines are running to an hourly timetable.
From Wellington:
•Hutt Valley services will depart Wellington 5 mins past the hour - not stopping at Pomare station due to subway flooding
To Wellington:
•Hutt Valley services will … View moreFrom 3:30pm all services on the Hutt Valley, Kapiti and Johnsonville lines are running to an hourly timetable.
From Wellington:
•Hutt Valley services will depart Wellington 5 mins past the hour - not stopping at Pomare station due to subway flooding
To Wellington:
•Hutt Valley services will depart Upper Hutt on the hour
Pomare Station is also closed due to flooding - If you wish to go to Pomare Station there are buses shuttling back and forward between Wingate, Taita and Pomare as the train won't stop at Pomare.
Petone subway is closed due to flooding but you can access via the bridge Ava station - the pedestrian bridge with ramp access is closed and the remaining bridge has stairs and no wheelchair or pram access.
Visit Metlink for more info - www.metlink.org.nz...
The NZ Transport Agency is advising that one lane northbound on State Highway 2 between Ngauranga and Petone will be opening with speed restrictions at around 3pm. This will be a staged opening, allowing northbound traffic on to State Highway 1 first, and then a small diversion will be put in for … View moreThe NZ Transport Agency is advising that one lane northbound on State Highway 2 between Ngauranga and Petone will be opening with speed restrictions at around 3pm. This will be a staged opening, allowing northbound traffic on to State Highway 1 first, and then a small diversion will be put in for traffic coming from the Ngauranga Gorge. One lane is open southbound. Motorists should expect that their journey may take longer than usual, and should be patient, continue to exercise extra care, drive to the conditions and watch speed and following distances.
SH58 from Paremata to Haywards Interchange remains closed.
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