Hutt Valley Rail: TranzMetro service to be contestable

I read with interest today that Mr Steven Joyce, Transport Minister is to make the MetroRail services in New Zealand contestable. In essence, the government will own the new rolling stock that will hit the Hutt Valley next year, (and Auckland) and will lease these to the service provider. Currently KiwiRail is the service provider.

Steven Joyce:

“The model builds significantly on the best of what we already have in place, and will ensure the operation of commuter rail services is contestable, so that we get the best possible service for commuters at the best possible price”.

KiwiRail will be able to bid to operate the services alongside other train operators, but all bidders will face the same price to lease the trains, and to access the track.

Steven Joyce:

“This move will ensure that while KiwiRail owns the trains, it is not necessarily the case that they operate the services. They will have the opportunity to bid, but it is the regional transport authorities alongside NZTA who will determine the successful operators,”

This is a laudable business model given the current structure that the tranzmetro services do not pay their own way and in effect were the reason that KiwiRail ended back in Government hands.

Mr Joyce:

“That is appropriate as it is the regional organisations and NZTA that provides the public transport subsidies that make the services viable.”

Further to that Mr Joyce also advocated further enhancements on current practice by implementing contracts that reward or penalise service standards:

“Performance-based contracts ensure the train operator is rewarded for providing reliable services and penalised when they don’t. We will ensure that operators have sufficient control over their operations to ensure they can be held accountable for performance.”

via NZRail

I hope, along with the many Hutt commuters that the standard of service improves to the point where it can be called a service, and not a joke. No doubt the last decade has seen when this service was placed in private hands that it was raped of value, with no attention or money spent on infrastructure maintanence or development.

The result, that the government repurchased the business established KiwiRail and has started on this long process of redevelopment, in the hope at the end to pass it on to private hands again. 

The circle of business continues, but at least at this point the government is putting in place caveats on performance.

One would have to wonder who would step into the fray to be a regional rail service provider. Currently Aucklands service is run privately by Veolia (following masive reinvestment in regional rail by the government) and also the bus service in Wellington by a Scottish private company (I think).

The question on every Hutt rail commuters mind is first, get the service to the level that you can call it a service that people willing pay for. It has to be a viable, reliable, cost effective alternativeto other transport.

The second outcome if successful in the first, is how much will this new and improved service cost once placed in the hands of a private contractor. The balance generally of all of this business structuring and performance contracts is nearly always in the end the user, the commuter.

Are they the one going to foot the bill through increased prices to make this service profitable again?

 

Cadillac Diner – Worth a Family Visit

Well I didn’t write it, but I paid the bill. So here’s the review from http://twitter.com/HuttValleyChick, who felt it was necessary to say something about this new dining experience in Lower Hutt.

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Looking for a fun place to eat in The Hutt?  Then look no further than Cadillac Diner and Café on High Street.  This new 1950s themed diner is worth a visit.  The décor itself is magnificent – we loved the opportunity to check out a pink Cadillac up close!  
The food?  Well, if you’re planning on going – make sure you’re hungry!  The burgers are HUGE.  And they average at $12 each (fries are separate).  We dropped in for a light lunch last Saturday and were a bit disappointed they didn’t have a smaller burger option, like a cheeseburger, priced around $8 to $10.  We reckon the good test of a burger is that you can pick it up!  These burgers are just too big and eating them with a knife and fork seems weird. 
But – you gotta hand it to them – it’s a good spot for families.  Your kids will love it.  And with kids’ meals priced from just $5, your wallet will love it too!

Cadillac Diner and Café, 112 High Street, Lower Hutt.

Looks like a school holiday wet weather idea!

Upper Hutt: Hazelwoods goes into Liquidation

It survived two world wars, the Depression and several economic downturns, but the recession has proved too much for a 115-year-old Upper Hutt shopping institution.

Furniture store Hazelwoods went into liquidation this week with the loss of 10 jobs. It first opened its doors in October, 1894 selling groceries and general goods but began selling furniture in 1984 in Upper Hutt’s Queen St.

Company owner Michael Gibbs said the furniture industry had been hard hit in the past few years and the business could not survive a downturn in sales because of the recession. The company had employed many people over the years and there were lots of fond memories, he said. A liquidation sale in which all furniture will be sold to maximise the return to creditors and shareholders is expected next week in both the company’s Upper Hutt and Tawa stores. The Tawa store is also closing.

via The Dominion Post

Well as a young fella I was trotted around Hazelwoods as my Mum looked  in the haberdashery department at the latest patterns, before heading up to Evans to do the same.

I remember clearly how I hated it, all these woman with these big pattern books flicking through them, probably only akin to the sense of earnest appropriate to the Six O’Clock swill for the men of the same decade. It was torture for me, any chance to escape to the toy department hindered by my young age and a firm grip from mum. That era was probably Hazelwoods halycon period, a time from a bygone era of single car families, if you were lucky, and black and white Tvs, and not a lot of competition.

For a lot of Upper Hutt folk, this shop is their Maceys of New York, and has been a regular port of call.

A somewhat fading giant over the last couple of years, it certainly will be the end of an era, and I hate to say it, Upper Hutt has always had Hazelwoods, no longer, bit sad really, it will leave a large gap in Main Street to fill.

Recession, Credit crunch and Harvey Norman, you Aussie import, with your interest free loans have a lot to answer for……..

Upper Hutt: Farmers Market to open on November 1st

An authentic farmers’ market in Upper Hutt, operating on Sundays in Russell St, is set for a November 1 opening.

Organised by the Experience Upper Hutt promotion group, the market will operate for four hours from 8.30am every Sunday, north of Thomson Ln, in a street area closed to traffic, Experience director Hellen Swales says.

“It has been organised and will run as an authentic farmers’ market, one of about 40 in the country,” Ms Swales says.

“Upper Hutt Farmers’ Market  A Fresh Xperience,” is already approved as a member of the Farmers’ Market Association New Zealand, she says.

The association describes the venture as “a food market where local growers, farmers and artisan food producers sell their wares directly to consumers”.

“Vendors may only sell what they grow, farm, pickle, preserve, bake, smoke or catch themselves from within a defined local area.”

“We’re hoping the market will act as an incubator for small businesses that need to grow,” Ms Swales says. By COLIN WILLIAMS – Upper Hutt Leader

Location of Thomson Lane beside Russell Street,  Farmers Market will be next door to Carpark.

This is great news, if you are a foodie (who isn’t) it really does need the support of people who live in the Hutt Valley, as the initial stages are always tough going for these ventures.

Having visited the Farmers Market in Hawkes Bay, you have to be early, so I guess November the 1st will be an early rise to arrive at 8.30am.

There are other Farmers Markets around like the Wairarapa Farmers Market  at Solway Showgrounds which I haven’t attended, but as a side note is hosting the NZ premier of the Movie “Food, Inc” (see trailer) on Wednesday 1st Oct at the Regent Cinema in Masterton, if interested see their website for details.

Eastbourne: Controversial Bus Barn gets Resource Consent

Well the ongoing saga of the Eastbourne Bus Barn moved a step forward yesterday with the Resource Consent being granted by council and announced by Mayor Ogden for building to commence before Christmas.

 

Korohiwa bus barn upgrade moves forward

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Mayor David Ogden has announced that the refurbishment of the Korohiwa bus barn is a step closer following the granting of a resource consent.

“I’m delighted the consent has been approved and that the project can move forward.

“This iconic Eastbourne landmark will enjoy a whole new lease of life and revitalise Korohiwa when work is completed.

“The consent gives us approval to fully refurbish the bus barn, restoring it to its original condition and reinstating three apartments on the first floor.

“The bus barn has a category two historic places classification and our architects are working with conservation architect Ian Bowman and the Historic Places Trust to ensure we preserve its heritage value. 

“The building consent application will now be lodged and tenders called for.  We expect construction to begin by Christmas.” via HuttCity

 

Korohiwa Bus Depot Eastbourne

Korohiwa Bus Depot Eastbourne

The history on this development is mired with controversy from Councillor Max Shierlaw that the barn was just a sop between the council and Eastbourne residents, when the coastal town threatened to secede to Wellington in the 1990s.

To the issue over the cost which just seems to escalate, with no apparent ceiling in sight.

 Hutt NZ agrees with Councillor Shierlaw on this and it does seem to show the council being very cavalier with the ratepayers money, on what after all is a bus barn! Historical or not.

Form your own opinion, but really is this what the HCC should really be spending $2.2 million on, and is property development their role? as Daly Street has shown in the past.

Last word to  the councillor:

Max Shierlaw Western Ward Representative (Normandale) says saving the barn is a waste of money, and wants the council to think hard about spending up to $3m on its upgrade and landscaping the bay.

“Just because its historic it doesn’t mean it needs to be restored” he says. “At the end of the day theres pressure on the budget, and we’ve all these requests for spending. you can’t just keep adding and adding without taking other things away”.

Petone: Truck Driver guilty of Cyclist death

A truck driver has been found guilty causing the death of a senior police officer.

In a reserved decision, Judge Tom Broadmore found Desmond Wilson, 45, of Porirua guilty of causing the death of Superintendent Steve Fitzgerald through careless driving.

It followed a three-day trial in Lower Hutt District Court in August.

Mr Fitzgerald, a road safety expert, was knocked from his bicycle by Wilson’s truck and was crushed under its rear wheels at the intersection of Hutt Rd and The Esplanade in Petone in June last year.

Judge Broadmore said he was satisified that Wilson had diverted his attention from the road and that Mr Fitzgerald was well able to be seen.

He will be sentenced later.

Via NZPA

This was an ugly accident on a busy intersection in Winter. No doubt new road improvements at this intersection at Petone will hopefully protect cycle accidents in this area. The issue around access to SH2 both on and off should be alleviated by this new entrance, thank god. The real issue is around cyclist protection on NZ roads, and the current disrespect that the major of motorists have toward them.

Pomare: Court Bailiffs to support Farmer Crescent evictions

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Well, given the history of this story, and the expose on the cost to the taxpayers of this matter of a quarter of a million dollars for security, time and lawyers there was no doubt that Housing NZ will be approaching the final outcome of this story with the full force of the law and its support network.

Expect a media scrum, and a lot of posturing by those involved as the issue around these Farmers Cres residents is finally brought to a head. This will make a media dream, woman evicted with their families while the cameras roll, oh the drama!

The only alternative is a High court appeal, and I guess you and me the taxpayer (if it occurs) will be paying for that as well, say another quarter of a million. I’ve always wondered how does one get its case to the High court, if one can’t afford it oneself. Anyway let the show begin…

Court bailiffs are to be sent to a Mongrel Mob enclave in Lower Hutt as Housing New Zealand readies itself to evict tenants.

Five families were issued with 90-day tenancy termination notices in March following gang intimidation in Farmer Crescent.

Three unsuccessfully took their case to the Tenancy Tribunal and a District Court appeal has also been rejected.

The tenants have continually refused Housing New Zealand’s help to find alternative, private accommodation.

Chief executive Lesley McTurk says the corporation hopes to meet the families this week but will also be referring the matter to bailiffs to enforce possession orders on the houses.

Ms McTurk says Housing New Zealand is confident of its position and will pursue the matter further if the tenants appeal to the High Court.

via Radio New Zealand

Hutt Radio: Come in Mr DJ

Further updates from Hutt Radio and Eddie o’Strange (Trustee), as to their plans for first stage implementation and the opportuntiy to offer your services as an announcer or DJ. As always contact Eddie via Hutt Radio 

The initial (temporary) studio may be sited on the first floor, rather than the second floor – should know soon. It will be an “announce-operated” set-up, but it may be workable as a “panel-operator plus announcer” system.

Only on-air workers will be permitted on the premises. No visitors. [Our space is in a film studio green room.] We can’t yet devise a realistic time-line for everything. When we are given a landing date for the transmitter we’ll have a better idea. Should be a November start.

Transmission will incorporate  BBC World available 24 hours a day. Volunteer broadcasters displace BBC World in pre- determined timeslots of either 1 or 2 hours duration. There will be a need to balance BBC World’s “talk radio” format with music programming. This will represent what Hutt Radio will “sound like” in its final form. So, all local breakouts will need some music content. 

 Now for the questions: for volunteer DJs or announcers.

Q 1: If you wish to get on-mic, is that in a continuity role? Or are you presenting an Access-type programme? If the latter, are you representing a community group?

Q 2: How often are you volunteering to go on-air? [The minimum is fortnightly; maximum is 7 days a week.]

Q 3: Are you volunteering to host a 1 hour, or 2 hour slot?

Q 4: What time of day/night, weekday/weekend suits best?

Q 5: What’s your main interest when it comes to programme content? [Even though you may not be able to present such content, in full form, with our initial limited facilities.]

And the final word to Eddie

Remember that we’re looking at the Phase One period which will take us to about the end of February, 2010. This is the time when we’ll be drumming up interest in all aspects of the station, especially a loyal listenership. The start-up team is hugely important to the venture! Can you help?

Petone: PWMC & RSA to merger

The Hutt Valley’s largest Returned Services Association is to move in with the Petone Working Men’s Club (PWMC).

Fifty or so of the Lower Hutt Memorial RSA’s membership of 700 turned up at a special meeting last week to hear an update on negotiations. President Allan Beardsley says they endorsed the merger idea.

By SIMON EDWARDS – Hutt News

Well being a member of the PWMC I for one am happy to see the club progress with further amalgamation, and I suppose you couldn’t have got better candidates.

Over the years the PWMC has emerged as being a very progresive club always looking at expansion opportunities, starting with its working class identity to becoming a model other chartered clubs around NZ envy with top notch facilities.

I also see on the agenda there was a possible look at expansion into accomodation for UCOL and a motel complex.

If you haven’t had a look at the club, or thought it was private and for the older generation I suggest you avail yourself of the opportunity, problem is its so popular some days you can’t get a park.