Thorndon Residents' Blog

Ideas on local government reform in Wellington

2011-10-28T22:25:00.002+13:00

A paper has been brought to our attention by the Federation of Wellington Progressive and Residents Associations. It proposes ideas on local government reform in Wellington.

The paper is an initiative by a group of Wellington regional councillors to start a conversation in the Wellington region about our local government effectiveness and any potential changes that could be made to improve it.

click here ...

Some ideas on local government reform in Wellington - neighbourhood decisions with pan-regional strategy

No extra consent rules

2011-07-04T22:22:00.004+12:00

As part of preparations to make changes to the District Plan, WCC's Strategic and Policy Committee has decided that inner residential Thorndon shall face no additional consent rules.

Following three years of conversation between residents (TRA) and Council there is now increased recognition of the diversity of Thorndon's neighbourhoods and our 'living' suburb. And at least some appreciation that we need to enhance our homes with modern innovations without undue additional constraints imposed by the Regulator.

Proposed changes to the District Plan will publicly consulted before Council adopt them.

(click on the article to enlarge it)

WCC Strategy Committee to consider residential heritage in Thorndon

2011-06-19T00:37:00.004+12:00

WCC's Strategy and Policy Committee is about to consider the approach to Heritage Management in the Residential Areas of Thorndon.

WCC's Strategy and Policy Committee have the reports/recommendations from Officers. The Committee is meeting on Thursday 23rd June, 2011.

These reports have only just become available for TRA representatives leaving little time digest the content or to consult with members.

Five (5) reports have been tabled for this agenda item. Link from WCC webpages:

http://www.wellington.govt.nz/haveyoursay/meetings/committee/Strategy_and_Policy/2011/23Jun0915/agenda.html

Alert to log removal operation by Helicopter

2011-06-18T22:06:00.003+12:00

A helicopter will be used because it isn’t practical to remove it from the location marked X in any other way. The log will be lifted and processed on the ridgeline of Te Ahumairangi Hill. Work will be carried out by contractors, Treescape. This is scheduled to start on Wednesday 22 and expected to take two days, weather permitting. Work hours will be 8am to 5pm. The log will be prepped for lifting on the Wednesday and lifted out on the Thursday.

Roads will remain open with traffic management in place but there may be delays at times. For safety reasons, the walking tracks around this site will be closed for the duration of the project. The work will be noisy at times

If you have any questions please direct them to

Julian Emeny, Arboriculture Manager, Wellington City Council

P 389 2060, M 021 227 8210, or julian.emeny@wcc.govt.nz

Draft Thorndon Design Guidelines

2011-06-06T19:38:00.004+12:00

In mid May 2011, WCC's urban planners convened a workshop to discuss possible residential design guidelines for Thorndon. TRA representatives participated. Here is the draft report.

The revision marks are by the TRA's representatives. This report will be discussed at the WCC convened Thorndon Advisory Group meeting, Tuesday 7 June.

Background to the project.

Historic classification = lower resale

2011-06-04T22:32:00.009+12:00

One of Auckland's oldest homes on a huge Parnell main street site has sold for $2.5 million - well below its QV rating valuation of $4.2 million. Someone is quoted saying "It reflects its historic classification - it is very restrictive what work you can do to any part of the property." Is this an exceptional case?

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10730154

How do we ensure that residential home owners in Thorndon don't end up bearing costs to benefit a wider good?

The New Zealand Institute for the Study of Competition and Regulation published a viewpoint on the issue. http://www.iscr.org.nz/f515,14989/14989_July_2009_ver7.pdf

Scroll to p14 - Non-compensation It's Not Just

Some of the older posts in this blog outline WCC's approach to introducing heritage provisions to our suburb. (click on the 'heritage' tag to find related posts)

Private Roads and Recycling

2011-06-01T20:05:00.003+12:00

Anyone having any issues with the new recycling regime? What about the policy regarding access to private roads by the WCC, or contractor, for the purpose of collecting recycling bins or bags?

Most suburbs have private rights of way. An example of the waiver sent to folk on private roads is here (click on the image to enlarge it) >>

Do you have some thoughts on engagement by WCC? Has it improved, stayed the same or become worse?

AGM - Tuesday 14th June, 2011

2011-05-29T22:09:00.004+12:00

All welcome.

Residents are encouraged to arrive early (from 6:30PM), network with refreshments from the bar. Venue is the Thorndon Club, 4 Katherine Ave.

Click here to link to the draft agenda or financial statement.

Minutes of the 2010 AGM are here.

Who binned our wheelie bins!

2011-05-15T12:32:00.002+12:00

As avid recyclers my household has been anticipating the convenience of new suburban recycling scheme. It commences tomorrow, Monday 16 May 2011.

Anticipating the convenience of wheelie bins captured our attention last year. Been keeping an eye on progress of this project all that time. Noted the rollout delays, and kept-up with Council's extended 'warm-up' campaign.

But we didn't anticpate this ...

We were bemused to have plastic bags delivered to our address last week. Then annoyed to learn that, for some reason, which cannot yet be explained (Helpline has told us to wait a month for a response!) many residential addresses on the Thorndon flat have been deemed as unsuitable for wheelie bins. Yet most (all?) of these residential properties have readily accessible curbsides and ample space for bins. In fact private bin collecting has been going on in these streets for years.

Apparently some kind of WCC 'visual assessment' took account of all manner of things, like flights of steps, steep streets, etc. None of which apply to many of the residential properties on the Thorndon flat, within residential Thorndon (note: Thorndon CBD properties are excluded from scheme).

Is this another example of the City's inability to effectively connect with it's residents? Not only on operational initiatives like this project. Thorndon has been under scrutiny of the urban planners for three or more years now. We're underwhelmed by progress toward improved 'public engagement'. The TRA's blog is littered with contributions which illustrate some of the Council's communication short-comings. Particularly with respect to our territorial authority's apparent inability to more openly engage with residents adequately; well illustrated by the underwhelming approach to the prolonged heritage conversation.

Here we go again!

Now, who has binned our bins !

It's all rubbish http://www.wellington.govt.nz/services/rubbrecyc/recycling/suburbanchanges.html

Keeping the rates increase to a reasonable level?

2011-04-16T13:18:00.004+12:00

Given the tight fiscal realities, the Council has been scrutinising it's front-line and back office functions. "Keeping the rates increase to a reasonable level" is the title of the invitation to submit on the Annual Plan.

Have your say; tell the Council what you want ... WCC's online questionnaire is convenient.

http://www.wellington.govt.nz/news/display-item.php?id=4396

TRA and WCC at the Farmers Market

2011-04-09T17:13:00.003+12:00

The Thorndon Residents' Association (TRA) and Wellington City Council were at the Hill Street Farmers' Market this morning.

The stall was a suggestion of the TRA to help citizens become aware of the Place-based Study of Thorndon and to be able to speak to knowledgeable WCC officers and collect more information about the project.

The stall was well patronised and many handouts were taken away. Fifty copies of the popular draft planning map had all been snapped-up by late morning.

This was the first of two opportunities to chat at the Market. The team will be back next Saturday 16th April.

Place-based planning - example feedback

2011-04-08T21:35:00.012+12:00

click on the image to enlarge it

An example of feedback from TRA representatives provided to WCC's place-based study. This response characterised aspects of the Hobson precinct (area 10); illustrating gaps in the house style patterns (original style dwellings in green).

TXT 3400 for Council fix-ups

2011-03-19T13:03:00.003+13:00

You've just noticed something WCC needs to fix?

Then why not TXT them on 3400. It's free.

A blocked drain, graffiti, street light, etc. Send the details through with the exact location details.

The service is free - you won't be charged for caring for our community.

More info: http://www.wellington.govt.nz/news/display-item.php?id=4362

[ You can't send photos or other media just yet - WCC is working on adding these features in the future.]

Earthquakes and the Wellington region

2011-03-16T23:37:00.001+13:00

The Wellington region is tectonically active and criss-crossed by many faultlines. While we often feel small earthquakes that don't cause much damage, many of the active faults in the region are capable of producing large earthquakes.

Earthquake-triggered landslides can damage or destroy buildings in their paths. The extent of landslides depends on the strength and duration of ground shaking, how steep the hillslopes are, and the strength of the underlying soil or rocks.

Liquefaction can occur along ﬂat coastal areas or reclaimed land where the ground is poorly compacted. The ground behaves like a liquid and buildings can sink, tilt or topple over.

An undersea earthquake, or seabed landslide, can cause a tsunami that can wash over low-lying areas.

For more information visit

http://www.gw.govt.nz/Earthquakes-in-the-Wellington-region/

Car crash in Hobson St

2011-03-14T08:11:00.004+13:00

Late last night a 'boy racer' lost control of his vehicle while reversing along Hobson St. The vehicle mounted the curb (in reverse) smashing into a front entrance gate and wooden fencing and wrecking these. Support posts of an adjacent carport were dismantled as well. A parked resident's car was also damaged and shunted along.

Local residents were quickly upon the scene. Police arrived in force, including dog handler, soon afterward.

Residents have noted an increase in dangerous driving along Hobson St, usually involving speed. In 2005 WCC proposed plans to manage traffic in Hobson St but nothing eventuated.

Federation's deputation on WCC transparency

2011-03-08T22:49:00.001+13:00

The Federation of Wellington Progressive and Residents’ Association has real concerns regarding WCC's commitment to community engagement.

The deputation's submission is here.

Also reported in Wellington.Scoop

Community - lessons from Canterbury

2011-03-06T23:41:00.002+13:00

Nine lessons ...

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/opinion/4733189/Future-shocks-nine-lessons-to-learn-from-Canterbury

Seismic lessons

2011-03-06T09:59:00.010+13:00

Residential Thorndon has been under WCC's scrutiny for years; the examination has been driven by heritage values. Residents have offered grounded advice, noting the many other significant characteristics of the suburb that deserve focus for management i.e. critical issues like traffic, parking, community facilities, and safety concerns. (acknowledging that characteristics of our built environment are already quite well regulated.)

It's about balance. Keeping 'grounded'; in touch with reality and facts. Can the latest round of analysis of Thorndon, WCC's place-based study, reveal and integrate, once and for all, the other significant facts about residential Thorndon that need to be accounted for; adequate to enable the community to understand and agree a desirable, sustainable, resilient residential future.

Top of mind are the lessons from Lyttelton's blind fault. Will this calamity impact the profiles and options for residential Thorndon? In the bigger scheme of things, what are the appropriate weightings for heritage values and residential preservation for residents in old homes nestled beside an active fault line?

The National Business Review recently offered a view. See "Heritage be damned, safety the priority" (25 February 2011).

For the science about our fault visit

http://www.gns.cri.nz/Home/News-and-Events/Media-Releases/Lower-threat-from-Wellington-fault

Map

Place-based planning - WCC Gears-up for Community Walks

2011-02-24T20:34:00.003+13:00

WCC is proceeding with a proposal to hold two organised walks around Thorndon that will be especially designed to better engage residents in the place-based study which is currently underway.

It is also planned to book a stall at the Hill Street Farmers Market to help advertise what is going on.

The objective of both the stall and walks is to publicise background information which has been gathered (including through past community consultation) and which is now being used in a place-based study. Both officers and TRA sub-commmittee members intend to be available to answer questions and/or provide information about the processes to date. There will be opportunities for anyone to provide feedback.

WCC's urban planners are keen to move on this consultation proposal. They would also like to know who might be available to help prepare for (and guide) the walks and to provide local background information (in particular streets) and commentary. If you would like to participate in this way please let us know.

The timing so far would suggest that the stall would be set up on one or two Saturday mornings in April (not Easter); and the walks could then take place on the same weekends on either or both the Saturday afternoon, or Sunday morning or afternoon.

The suggested dates for these events are 9 and 16 April 2011. TRA members - please let the committee know whether you would like to help on either or both of these two weekends.

Email: thorndonresidents@gmail.com or contact a committee member

Once the dates are confirmed the two opportunities for the community to engage, will be notified by way of a letter sent to all residents and ratepayers in Thorndon and also through the 'Our Wellington Page' in the Dominion-Post.

Thorndon Place-based study update

2011-01-26T22:45:00.003+13:00

Council officers are gathering research to prepare a place-based study for Thorndon. A Thorndon Advisory Group was established in November 2010 and the TRA has representation.

Much more information is accessible from this link

http://www.wellington.govt.nz/projects/new/thorndon/thorndonheritage.html

Navigate to the Advisory Group Meetings page for minutes, milestones and information shared at the meetings.

Graffiti and other crimes

2011-01-10T23:03:00.005+13:00

Some studies have shown a strong relationship between graffiti and other crimes.

Discovered via this blog post by David Eaves.

As for the two vandals arrested in Tinakori Rd last Easter. Their case was heard 8 December 2010. Both were convicted. Apparently, one had committed even more serious crime and later in 2010 was incarcerated for two years. The other graffiti vandal got 40 hours community service.

New Futures - rethinking heritage in New Zealand's urban places

2010-11-14T19:47:00.002+13:00

http://www.historicplaces.org.nz/events/RypkemaWLN-17Nov.aspx

A seminar on 17 November 2010 will cover the following topics:

Measuring the economic impact of heritage in urban revitalisation
Adaptive reuse opportunities
Planning and urban design tools to reduce barriers to investment in older buildings
Public private partnerships in heritage conservation
Case studies: myths and realities in the comparison of adaptive reuse and new construction

Te Ahumairangi Hill Lookout

2010-11-14T19:43:00.000+13:00

The new Te Ahumairangi Hill (formerly known as Tinakori Hill) lookout was officially opened on 10 November 2010. It's well worth a visit for the stunning vista.

Click here for more information.

More Halloween fun in Thorndon ...

2010-10-30T23:14:00.002+13:00

For those of you who didn't make it to Hill St Farmers Market today for the Halloween festivities (or even if you did!), we're throwing an impromptu Halloween Party in Katherine Mansfield Park in Thorndon at 3pm tomorrow (Sunday). This is a scaled down version of the Thorndon Halloween Party we've had in years past (e.g. Kelly Falconer and I only decided at 4pm this afternoon that we should have it!) and its open to everyone. We'd love to see you all there.

So bring your kids (dressed up if they feel like it), a picnic blanket and a bottle of vino and join us for lolly scramble (yes, this time it will happen!), treasure hunt and sausage sizzle (gold coin donation appreciated). We'll only drag up the bbq if is sufficient demand, so would be great if you could let us know if you're planning to come by email by midday Sunday.

Look forward to seeing you there. And feel free to bring a friend or two and to spread the word!

Do I cry or do I smile?

2010-10-29T20:41:00.002+13:00

As a citizen, rate payer and long time resident of Thorndon I would like to seek clarification from the Thorndon Residents Association (TRA) on the progress made by the Wellington City Council to resolve the issue of the historic precinct and the matters relating to its proposed requirements to ‘police’ renovation and building within the area.

Am I correct in understanding that the Wellington City Council (Council), after over a year of consultation, brought about mainly by the efforts of the TRA and interested parties, has made no decision about this matter? Does this mean the Council has given up its time wasting and ludicrous plans to dictate what resident owners can and cannot do to their properties?

The Council’s misguided work must have cost thousands of dollars while the Council boffins worked tirelessly to be as uncooperative as possible to find a way of planning for others properties. Let alone the hours of work, given freely by the TRA members and other concerned citizens to the consultation and development of cases against the regulations and policies that were to be mandated.

At a time of fiscal tension I would have thought the Council should have been more careful with its spending. At a time when citizens are meant to be consulted with and an honest dialogue is encouraged it has been very sad to see a ‘Clayton’s democratic process of consultation’ in play and then no conclusion. This is not a game to residents of the area. If there is so much money in the Council’s coffers let’s have a few pavements fixed and better lighting in the suburb.

Since all went quiet I have noticed on my walks around the area changes being made to houses that are in keeping with the heritage look of the suburb. There has been no need for ‘policing’. These owners have sympathy for the ‘look’ of the suburb, bringing back the grace and charm of older properties which have been in decline for years. Congratulations to those who have brought fresh life to rundown parts of Thorndon and completed their building with care and sympathy to the surrounding dwellings and suburb as a whole.

Perhaps the Council could review what it is looking at and take a focused view on the ugly buildings encroaching on the area e.g. Muturoa St. Glass and steel overhanging in all directions (great for an earthquake) and the large monstrosity being built in Molesworth St. What an irony. For so many years the site of the Thai Embassy was the haunt for drug addicts, run-aways and the graffiti kings and queens of Wellington. The building was unsafe with few floors still remaining and an eyesore that haunted the area. Neither the Council, Police nor other authorities were interested in cleaning up this area. Public Health and Safety went out the window. Oh sorry it was diplomatic land – not good enough. No other rate payer would get away with this type of neglect.

Is the Council willing to now write that the flawed process of imposing additional restrictions, policies, regulations and permits is OVER?

CMM

City Libraries closed for Labour Weekend

2010-10-04T19:44:00.001+13:00

The shutdown will enable the entire libraries' information system to be upgraded.

Click here for more information.

Citizens' forum launched

2010-09-13T14:37:00.003+12:00

A resolution at the conference of residents' associations held at Parliament in April 2010 spawned the idea. In August 2010 the Citizens' Forum on Wellington Regional Governance Issues was launched.

More information:

Mayor calls review of earthquake-strengthening policies

2010-09-11T21:41:00.008+12:00

Mayor Prendergast is calling for a review of the Council's earthquake-strengthening policies. Council staff will be asked to canvas a number of issues including whether the Council should:

revisit the review of the quake-prone buildings policy with a view to tightening the deadlines again
seek relaxation, where appropriate, of heritage rules to allow more latitude and flexibility in strengthening work. This could include the replacement of heavy masonry features like parapets or chimneys with replicas built from light materials like glass-fibre, timber or carbon-fibre.
consider changes to District Plan rules to allow the demolition of some older buildings with less heritage value
look at rule changes to force some building owners, if they can't afford to strengthen, to remove heavy and dangerous features like parapets and chimneys from the roofs and facades of some buildings
increase grant funding to help more building owners complete strengthening work.

Further information

Our Quake-risk Buildings: Mayor Seeks Review

Map of the fault rupture hazard area in Thorndon

GNSscience video about the Wellington Fault Line

Mayor's view after visiting Christchurch (15/9/10)

Thorndon Residential Project - initialisation stage

2010-09-10T21:47:00.008+12:00

The thinking caps are now on for the place-based study of residential Thorndon. This proposal was an outcome following the extensive consultation undertaken during 2009/10 on options for managing Thorndon's residential heritage.

An initial meeting was held this week with WCC's Director Strategy, Planning and Urban Design (Teena Pennington) and others, including Councillors. Teena has extended the invitation to the community to provide feedback on the suggested approach. In particular, ideas on overall project engagement and ideas on specific engagement opportunities that would be helpful at defined stages of the project.

It is envisaged that an engagement plan will be confirmed in conjunction with the Thorndon community.

Please add comments to this post, or email thorndonresidents@gmail.com

Update (23 September)

The TRA sub-committee has carefully reviewed WCC's initial documents. The committee has provided comments and redrawn the diagram of the proposed workflow (to emphasise the importance of engagement of the community as an active part of the decision-making process).

WCC Heritage Grants for Thorndon properties

2010-09-10T20:31:00.003+12:00

On the 16 September WCC's Strategy and Policy committee will consider a report seeking approval for the allocation of grants to applicants in the July 2010 round of the Built Heritage Incentive Fund (BHIF).

This round proposes grants to nine applicants. Three of the properties are within Thorndon. If approved these three will receive funding summing $32,098. The total yearly fund is $200,000. This is the first of three bidding rounds for the 2010/11 financial year.

The latest report recommends that a 4th application for a Thorndon residence be declined because it is not included on the District Plan Heritage List and is not in a Heritage Area.

WCC's news on managing heritage

2010-08-19T16:19:00.002+12:00

Following 18 months of consultation with the Thorndon community WCC plan to undertake a 'placed-based' study. Click here for WCC's article.

The Wellingtonian - "Thorndon residents revolt"

2010-08-16T22:05:00.006+12:00

Letter to the editor:

Thanks for your great front page story on Thorndon (August, 12). Good to see The Wellingtonian focused on such an important Wellington issue.

Just a small point, the letterbox drop late February 2009 was a council letter to residents, not from the Thorndon Residents’ Association (TRA).

Vivien Rickard’s comment “We are looking at preparing a district plan change and that’s not something that a Council can do in partnership” is at odds with an earlier undertaking from council officer Teena Pennington for TRA to be involved in shaping the content of any District Plan rules. While residents would expect council planning officers to draft the words, TRA has already accepted council’s offer.

TRA’s motto is “Nothing about us, without us” in Thorndon as Council moves forward with their work.

Finally a note of thanks for Councils fresh‐thinking in Thorndon - long may participatory democracy continue. And thank you to your reporter for his extensive interview.

Lance Gunderson

Melissa Ludlow

Co-Chairs Heritage Sub-committee

Thorndon Residents' Association

Proudly supporting the Thorndon Community

TRA help clarify Village parking controls

2010-08-15T15:04:00.006+12:00

Action by the TRA Traffic Action Group has helped clarify parking in the Village. WCC traffic resolutions will be received by the Strategy and Policy Committee on 19th August. Quote from the report:

"With the recent review of Resident and Coupon Parking Areas the parking restrictions within Thorndon Village were questioned in relation to what constituted an ‘Authorised Vehicle’. After consultation with the Traffic Working Group (Thorndon Residents Association) this has been clarified in relation to the Thorndon Area. It is therefore an opportune time to reconfirm the parking restrictions within Thorndon Village. There are to be no changes to the resoluted parking spaces or current restrictions within Thorndon Village."

Compromise on heritage protection for Thorndon

2010-08-12T13:15:00.002+12:00

Dominion Post Tuesday, August 10, 2010

(click article)

Deputation attends WCC's Strategy & Policy Committee meeting

2010-08-04T19:14:00.004+12:00

The Association has reviewed the WCC report "Approach To Heritage Management In Residential Areas of Thorndon", publicly released on 29 July 2010.

A TRA deputation will represent this feedback to the Strategy & Policy Committee at its meeting on Thursday 5 August 2010.

WCC recommendations on heritage management in residential Thorndon

2010-07-29T23:07:00.004+12:00

A report for WCC's Strategy and Policy Committee (SPC) was released today. It reports on the outcomes of the consultation process and recommends an approach to managing the heritage values of Thorndon.

Five regulatory options have been identified to better manage heritage values in residential Thorndon.

The TRA sub-committee is reviewing the report. The committee would like to hear your views and to collate feedback for Councillors. You are invited to share your views by emailing thorndonresidents@gmail.com by 5PM Monday 2nd August 2010. Otherwise make a comment to this post.

There is only a small window of opportunity for the TRA committee to collate and provide Association feedback in time for the SPC meeting on Thursday morning ( 5th August ).

Authorities assault our streetscapes

2010-07-28T23:50:00.007+12:00

This blog has previous postings related to the unsightly and unwelcomed Hobson St bridge gantries that appeared out of nowhere i.e. there was no public consultation. Streetscape has been a theme during the conversation over heritage values in Thorndon.

Here are some images of the streetscapes that authorities have installed in public spaces of our character suburb. From tank-busting bollards to interrupting bridge balustrades and vistas with razor wire.

Temporary road closure trial Saturday evening

2010-07-13T09:44:00.001+12:00

If you're going to the All Blacks vs Springboks rugby test on Saturday (17 July), or driving around Westpac Stadium and Thorndon on Saturday evening, it might pay to plan your trip a bit more thoroughly than usual. More information in this WCC News item.

Radio NZ programme on heritage

2010-07-11T19:19:00.002+12:00

Should councils and government interfere with the rights and intentions of private property owners? On Radio NZ's Sunday Morning programme today Chris Laidlaw discussed the issues surrounding heritage architecture with architects Marshall Cook and Jeremy Salmond. And campaigner Allan Matson explained some of the legal issues that can help or hinder the preservation of historic buildings.

A now familiar (to those in Thorndon following the residential heritage conversation) range of questions arose and opinions shared. Here are some snippets (follow the link above to hear their context) :

Have we got the rules right?
What is the right division of responsibility?
Is it an issue of selective keeping?
Is it subjective and hard to sort the value from the dramatic?
Can you really have hard and fast rules?
New buildings should be better than those they replace.
The villa doesn't have any particular intrinsic value; it's out of date with contemporary lifestyles.
Will we see villas gradually replaced?
All about streetscape and quality of the street too - walls, footpaths, cars, trees, etc.
Evolution rather than revolution.
Don't freeze things in time.
Link between garden city suburb and the city is important.
How many modern buildings can you put into a traditional suburb and then still call it a traditional suburb?
When constraints are placed on a precinct then it becomes a political issue. Planning, property, and the value of land lead inevitably to it being a political issue.
Private property rights are sacrosanct.
Can a urban design panel have sufficient opinion to influence their Commissioners?
It seems that heritage is a legitimate part of town planning but it is a retrospective act ... it is always evaluating by looking back.
It is important to keep mobility in thinking.
Is a regulatory shakeup needed?
We're always in transition.

We look forward to seeing what Wellington's regulators are thinking when their report is made public early in August.

Residential heritage – the next report

2010-07-08T13:01:00.005+12:00

At a special meeting with the TRA held on 29th June, Teena Pennington, WCC’s Director for Strategy and Urban Design, provided an update on recent developments. These related specifically to the public consultations earlier this year and all the matters arising during the extended community conversation on managing Thorndon residential heritage values.

The urban planners’ work was initially undertaken within a framework of WCC’s rolling reviews of the City’s district plan. The question of heritage had been wrapped into one of these reviews. Following strong community reaction, the council agreed to an extended community consultation specifically for Thorndon. It was acknowledged that since 2009 considerably more is now known about the issues, including how the status quo is not a desirable state of affairs, either. Many stories have been uncovered of difficult and unsatisfactory resource consent processes under current council arrangements.

Questions remain unanswered on the issue of whether resource consents are necessarily the best or only option for managing residential properties and streetscapes in Thorndon. Members raised many additional questions: about principles, individual property rights, compensation, and governance of streetscapes.

A council officers’ report on the community consultation - summarising the outcomes and making recommendations - is being prepared for the council’s Strategy and Policy Committee meeting on August 5th 2010. The Council has publicly committed itself to being guided and informed by what the community wants. Council officers have confirmed their report will be made public a week before the committee meeting. The TRA awaits the report with interest.

Our Busiest Cycling Route gets Safer

2010-06-28T23:18:00.001+12:00

A new clearway will operate on part of Thorndon Quay from today to make Wellington's busiest commuter cycling route safer. Visit WCC news.

Invitation: Managing Residential Heritage

2010-06-19T16:05:00.002+12:00

Agenda

(i) welcome

(ii) brief outline of the steps to date by a member of the TRA sub-committee

(iii) discussion with the Director for urban planning

Background

Consideration of the district plan and options for managing 'heritage' values in Thorndon continue to percolate. The TRA has been aware of proposals since March 2009. Now, following considerable feedback from the community, WCC planners are preparing a new report to present to Council. This will be discussed by a Council sub-committee on 5 August 2010.

Teena Pennington, Director - Strategy, Planning & Urban Design at Wellington City Council, offered to meet with the TRA to provide her insights and answer your questions first hand. This is consistent with WCC's public commitment to being guided and informed by what the community wants.

This is an important opportunity to re-engage if you have an interest in this matter; particularly everyone who participated in the TRA online survey on heritage (March 2010), or provided other feedback.

To accept this invitation please RSVP to thorndonresidents@gmail.com

Tuesday 29th June 2010.

7PM - 8:30PM ( network from 6.30PM )

at the Thorndon Tennis and Squash Club, 4 Katherine Avenue

Regional Council Community workshops

2010-06-18T19:05:00.003+12:00

Air, waterways, coasts, soils and biodiversity – these natural resources are vital for our wellbeing and our way of life. How do you think they should be used, developed and protected?

Greater Wellington is holding a series of community workshops around these questions. They want to hear your views. This is the first stage of the development of a new integrated regional plan for managing the region's natural resources.

Natural resource management affects, among other things, food gathering, recreation, land clearance and development, environmental tourism, farming, ecology, fishing and hunting, drainage, water use, adventure sports, and cultural heritage.

Community workshops are being convened all over the region. There will be one in Thorndon on 17 August. (click this link for details)

Proceedings of the Residents2010 Conference available

2010-06-13T20:35:00.004+12:00

The proceedings from the Residents2010 Conference are now online. The TRA had representation at this event and was also used as a case study in one of the workshops.

This conference was hosted at Parliament in April of this year and attended by delegates who were mostly representatives of residents associations.

The proceedings contain two significant speeches:

- Beverley Wakem, Chief Ombudsman

- Pat Hanley, Chair of the Social and Civic Policy Institute.

It also includes:

- reports from six workshops;

- a summary of research undertaken during the conference;

- seven recommendations made by the delegates;

- follow-up action on these taken to date.

This conference highlights a growing awareness in the ways residents can organise and empower themselves to help address the paucity of active public participation in local level decision making. There are many concerns about relationships with local governments, and how to remove roadblocks to democracy at the local level.

Graffiti splurge

2010-05-30T22:58:00.003+12:00

Property vandals have been on a binge between Ballantrae Pl and Hawkestone St. The graffiti map has the sites located and reported to WCC. There are a few locations which WCC will not clean because these public assets 'belong' to another authority, namely NZ Transport Agency. NZTA's delays in cleaning their assets jeopardise the efforts of the other cleaners ... because, graffiti begets graffiti.

Heritage Shopping Area? - Tinakori Rd shops

2010-05-26T20:29:00.002+12:00

District Plan Change 75 proposes to add the Tinakori shops into a Heritage Shopping Area. An article on on WCC's website refers.

More on this District Plan Change is also available online here. (Submissions close at 5.00pm on 23 July 2010).

Heritage zoning ... it's not just

2010-05-26T20:06:00.002+12:00

If the heritage proposals go awry it could represent a serious assault on private property rights for residents of Thorndon.

Last year the New Zealand Institute for the Study of Competition and Regulation Inc. explored some high-profile events that highlight the inconsistencies inherent in New Zealand's fragmented approach to property right protection. On Page 14 of the July 2009 edition of the Institute's newsletter a case is outlined for compensation when these rights are violated as a consequence of local-government decisions.

TRA Annual Report

2010-05-26T20:02:00.002+12:00

The annual report was presented last evening to the 2nd AGM of the Thorndon Residents' Association.

One Way error in Grant Rd explained

2010-05-26T19:40:00.006+12:00

The Area Traffic Engineer has apologised for the obvious confusion and concern of residents of the segment of Grant Rd impacted and all the residents of lower Newman Tce.

The letter (below) outlines how the situation arose. It also outlines the current process and highlights the obligation WCC has to consult with affected residents.

Click the image to enlarge it

Road signs removed, situation swiftly restored

2010-05-19T10:12:00.005+12:00

A section of Grant Rd was erroneously sign posted as one-way for a few days. A no right turn sign from Newman Tce, a large painted arrow on the road surface, and a One Way sign mounted on a retaining wall had erroneously appeared 'out of the blue'. As soon as perplexed residents signalled their quandary to the TRA, the appropriate area traffic engineer was immediately informed and the situation promptly restored.

It is not known exactly how the error arose, except there are suspicions that location ambiguity and confusion over a work request may have contributed; Grant Rd verses Frandi St perhaps (?)

TRA Autumn Newsletter

2010-05-18T23:34:00.002+12:00

Click here for the quarterly newsletter.

Thorndon Village Shops Tipped for Heritage Status

2010-05-13T22:29:00.002+12:00

The Council's Strategy and Policy Committee has decided to publicly notify District Plan Change 75, which proposes to add the Thorndon shops to the heritage list.

Heritage listing would mean that the buildings are recognised and protected for their heritage value and any major changes to the outside of listed buildings, or demolition of them, would require resource consent.

Click here to more information on WCC's website.

Residential Area District Plan Workshops

2010-05-11T11:45:00.004+12:00

The TRA has received an invitation to propose one representative for a series of WCC convened workshops later this month. "The objective will be to provide background guidance to Council on District Plan provisions which are reasonable, future focused, practicable and consistent with statutory requirements." Click here to view the invitation in full.

This is part of WCC giving further consideration as to whether a Plan change is required for a Thorndon residential heritage area. Eventually a report will be considered by the Council’s Strategy and Policy Committee on Heritage provisions for Thorndon Residential Areas. The report will summarise community feedback, key issues and a preferred way forward.

The TRA Sub-committee on environment and planning is managing this project.

Future of our summer pool?

2010-05-02T21:41:00.011+12:00

By 10 May, WCC wants community views on the draft Community Facilities Policy and Implementation Plan. The TRA is formulating a position but we'd like to hear more from Thorndon residents, especially on our draft submission (refer below). Please add comments to this post, or email thorndonresidents@gmail.com

In their document (Community facilities Policy - Part B Aquatic Facilities Implementation Plan) the Council recognise there is a shortage of pools in the Wellington region for both Aquatic education and Aquatic sports activities and are proposing some options to meet this shortfall as part of the Long Term Council Community Plan.

Council have a number of proposals which include partnered construction of new School pools and joint development of existing School pools. There are also proposals for the development and upgrading of Council pool facilities. Following on from this there are four Investment and development options for consideration which range from continuing with the existing plans (status quo) to running with a full schedule increased investment program.

With respect to the Thorndon pool the plan includes a proposal to add a retractable roof in order to extend the pool's season of use from the current 5 months of the year up to 10 months. The funding for the retractable roof is included in all the council options apart from Option 1 (status quo) and no single proposal sticks out as more favourable for Thorndon other than the timeframe for implementation which varies slightly.

In their report Council put strong emphasis on Aquatic Education and Learn to Swim along with making the most of existing pool space. Whilst other pools such as Karori and Keith Spry have been earmarked for the development of teaching pools, Thorndon pool appears to be classified with Freyberg as an aquatic sports facility rather than a pool for use by children. Whilst the retractable roof on Thorndon pool might be a valuable addition to the pool, from the TRA and community perspective it would be desirable for the council to transition the pool to a more children and family oriented facility with a shallow learner area and in the long term the addition of a toddler pool.

To this end we think the Council should consider in its proposals ways to make Thorndon pool more versatile. One way to achieve this relatively cheaply would be to fit a moveable bulkhead. (This is the narrow rigid floating pontoon type structure which sits across a pool). Such a bulkhead would allow the shallow end of the pool to be sectioned off for learner classes and at other times the bulkhead could be moved to the deep end of the pool to divide off such activities as Water polo and underwater hockey training. As the Thorndon pool is 30m long by approximately 12m wide, sectioning off say 5m of the shallow pool end would still allow for standard 25m training lanes and if the full 30m length needed to be utilised the bulkhead would simply move to the end of the pool.

Changing the layout of the pool in this way would go hand in hand with the council objectives of making the most of existing pool space and improving aquatic education opportunities. The revised layout would be a step towards TRA objectives of making the pool more of a community facility. Furthermore the council might be pointed in the direction of developing other family facilities on the site such as a toddler pool.

Our suggestion is to respond to the council proposals with the following submission:

TRA wish to ensure that any future development of the Thorndon pool includes provision for the pool's use as a community facility with emphasis on increasing pool areas for children and toddlers.
TRA in principle supports the concept of a retractable roof for the pool providing that this is aesthetically sympathetic and maintains the historic nature of the pool as an open air facility. (To this end the TRA should join with the Thorndon Society to ensure this ensues)
TRA propose the council include a movable bulkhead in its plans for the pool to allow the shallow end of the pool to be divided off for children and learner use. The installing of this bulkhead should be on a more immediate timeframe than the retractable roof.
That the council include in its longer term plan the concept a toddler pool on the site (sited perhaps over the plant room?)
The TRA can equally support any one of options two, three or four of the proposed Investment and development options providing these include the issues identified above. The TRA does not support option one (status quo).

TRA Heritage Survey findings released

2010-04-29T00:29:00.004+12:00

Today the Thorndon Residents' Association released its report from its online survey. The initiative was conducted during February and March 2010, and designed to run in parallel with the public meetings hosted in partnership with the Wellington City Council concerning ways forward for managing residential heritage in Thorndon.

The Association subscribed to a web-based tool called SurveyMonkey and designed a simple 10 question survey to help ascertain the mood of the community and to gather ideas and options. All the raw material appears in the report.

Playgroup

2010-04-13T13:40:00.005+12:00

· Looking for something to do with your baby or toddler on Monday 9.30 – 11.30? Then why not come to playgroup!

· Pipitea Playgroup is a relaxed, parent-run group that meets every Monday during school term in the Brian Davis Room next to St Paul's Cathedral (entrance on Hill St).

· We have a wide range of indoor and outdoor toys for babies, toddlers and preschoolers, and activities including painting, craft, playdough and a sandpit. Morning tea is provided for children and adults, and we do songs and rhymes at the end of the session.

· It's a great way for your child to socialise and make friends, and for you to meet other friendly mums, dads, caregivers and nannies from your area.

· Only $20 per term (children under 1 are free with an older sibling), or $3 for a casual session.

· Interested? Then phone Bridget on 472 6864 or 021508448 for enrolment details or feel free to just come along to a session.

Residents' Associations compare notes and strategies

2010-04-12T10:52:00.006+12:00

The TRA was represented at the conference of residents' associations held at Parliament last weekend.

Issues of citizen participation and safeguarding transparency were threaded through many of the discussions and workshops held at the inaugural one-day event. There was much revealed about tensions, inequalities, failures and quality of interactions between citizens and territorial local authorities.

Thorndon featured as a relatively young association. The TRA accepted an invitation to provide a case study for a workshop on governance and structure. We also impressed others with some of our innovations and projects, e.g.'s :

the partnership with WCC to get into interactive, timely, participative public consultation (the heritage discussions),
awareness of rights in exercising access to official information,
proactiveness and empowerment e.g. initiatives like the graffiti map to create more transparency on what is going on and responsiveness of stakeholders,
this blog for its contribution toward communication with our community.

The media release from Residents 2010 indicates there's a rousing future for engaged residents associations and their communities. Keep a watch on the Residents 2010 pages for further post-conference information.

Graffiti vandals arrested

2010-04-05T21:36:00.006+12:00

Easter Monday, mid afternoon. Two vandals were observed violating property in the vicinity of the motorway fly-over (between Thorndon Quay and Hobson St). Police responded quickly to a 111 call and located and arrested two men in Tinakori Rd.

The TRA graffiti map is an initiative used to report and monitor responses to property vandalism in Thorndon.

Interfering with residential property rights?

2010-04-04T15:35:00.008+12:00

IF residential properties in Thorndon were to be designated as 'heritage' properties a major concern is that even sensible property modifications/home improvement/maintenance projects initiated by the owners could be impacted.
Additional effort (and costs) could be inflicted by potential requirements to apply for consents (this being the additional 'cost' of regulatory intervention).
Here are a few examples of sensible property 'improvement' projects by owners of a 90 year old Thorndon residence situated in the Hobson precinct, in order to:
- improve light and streetscape, (remove a mature tree on the frontage whose roots were also uplifting public paving)

- change frontage (modify fence)

- install new gas heaters and flues (requiring external chimney modifications)

- replace the original leaky roof (in this instance the original diamond patterned tile roof was replaced with the benefits of a lighter and bracing, watertight, corrugated colour steel roofing, flashings and gutters)

- replace original granite steps, to improve safety and access (replaced with a significant wooden structure and contemporary non-slip surface treatments)

- repairs to garage at street frontage (reconstruct facade to eliminate structural damage to the lintel; floor re-poured/levelled to prevent flooding)

(click on any image to enlarge)

If this property fell within a 'heritage' regime how many of these kinds of projects would possibly require 'heritage auditors' to contrive an opinion?

We've done well so far. Unless invited, generally residential home owners in Thorndon do not welcome the addition of 'heritage police' determinations on how to improve or maintain our aged properties. Generally we succeed in sensibly preserving and improving our properties. Any extra 'superintendence' by the regulator is unnecessary and unwelcomed intervention.

A Thorndon Resident

Questions arising ...

2010-02-26T14:15:00.004+13:00

An inquiry into managing heritage values and character of residential Thorndon, raises a number of questions. The TRA's sub-committee's collation, gathered during the past 6 months, is online. The potential 'impact areas' concern:

energy
financial
cultural & social
rules & guides
architecture
legal.

Community meetings underway

2010-02-24T23:21:00.008+13:00

During the past two weeks, two well attended public meetings have been convened in Thorndon. Two further opportunities remain for you; your invitation and details are here. The meetings follow the cafe style. They are opportunities for the community to reveal and confirm what's valued, priorities, and aspirations for the future of residential Thorndon. These engaging meetings enable everyone to contribute conversationally in a hospitable environment designed for purposeful participation. The Mayor and councillors are participating and listening for the voice of Thorndon concerning its future. This is a powerful opportunity to add your insights.

The two remaining opportunities are next Tuesday 2nd, and again on Tuesday 9th March.

Navigating burglars

2010-02-23T10:46:00.003+13:00

Windscreen mounted in-car navigation devices attract burglars. The Hobson Court Apartments carpark was visited last evening by vandals who smashed a passenger window to steal a navigation device.

Heritage management - less domineering options?

2010-02-20T00:05:00.016+13:00

Could another option to 'managing heritage' in Thorndon (or anywhere for that matter) lay within the realm of behavioural economics? And a conscious shift from badgering or bullying regulation by the bureaucracy, toward empowering (and trusting) the community to influence and 'supervise' the suburb's residential heritage. Can the information technology contribute? i.e. help lessen bureaucracy, help reduce costly options and domineering instruments such as district plan zones and related RM Act provisions.

There's still an elephant in the room concerning Thorndon's 'need'. The question is, what's broken? Where's the evidence? What's wrong with the existing incentives on residents for valuing and maintaining residential heritage? Some politicians are getting increasingly interested in how information technology might help, especially if it creates more transparency, and what might happen if there is more genuine sharing of information with the people and more empowerment of communities. Ref David Cameron: The next age of government | Video on TED.com

Thorndon's housing heritage

2010-02-15T21:59:00.026+13:00

Slideshow 1

Click arrow to play slideshow; click comment box icon to view the narrative for each photo.

The Thorndon houses shown above have been altered sympathetically on the street scape. Including grannie flats on top of garages; garages with apartments either above on the streetscape or behind or next to the existing dwelling depending on what the site allowed for. This work was needed either to accommodate the owner's normal family needs or to help increase the value of the property or generate income so that the owner could afford to maintain and sympathetically restore and preserve the main house.

Slideshow 2

Click arrow to play slideshow; click comment box icon to view the narrative for each photo.

The slideshow above illustrates that there are lots and lots of houses, flats and apartments in every Thorndon street that are not heritage. Therefore, putting a heritage classification on an entire street/s is obviously inappropriate. It cannot be justified as many properties/dwellings in the streets are not original. A better solution could be to identify individual dwellings that fit a predetermined and agreed set of heritage criteria.

Slideshow 3

Click arrow to play slideshow; click comment box icon to view the narrative for each photo.

These photos show blocks of townhouses that can never be built in Thorndon again, because WCC have already introduced new planning rules to stop them being repeated e.g.townhouses on the corner Barton Tce and Lewisville Tce. Also, townhouses on Grant Rd, Harriet St, Goring St, Pitarua St, Tinakori Rd etc.

WCC have already introduced restrictions. This includes "Variation 14 ", about 10 yrs ago, after the Barton Tce townhouses were built. This introduced new rules relating to inner-city character and multi-unit developments, particularly for Mt Victoria and Thorndon. "Plan Change 56" was introduced within the last year or two to stop all the townhouses being built again. Outdoor areas cannot be decks on the 2nd level anymore. Living areas must now be opening onto 50m2 outdoor area (35m2 soft/lawn plus 15m2 hard/paved). Add on to this a ground level car park/garage and a decent size ground floor living dining and kitchen with hall and a stairway, and you can quickly see why 3 townhouses could never fit on the Barton Rd site again.
There are many other restrictions in Plan change 56 including: only single storey dwellings can be built on occupied sites less than 800m2. That is a huge lot size.

Dear Residents and Ratepayers

2010-02-07T22:17:00.019+13:00

Wellington City Council's plans seriously affect you!

Did you know that Wellington City Council has, until recently, been considering a series of zones covering almost all of residential Thorndon in heritage restrictions?
If heritage restrictions are introduced to Thorndon, then sensible improvements that owners are presently permitted to make to their homes (provided they comply with the Building Act), would instead require Resource Consent.

Heritage restrictions mean council decides whether or not to grant you a Resource Consent – but either way you’re faced with large additional fees and increased delays – with no guarantee of approval.

The Thorndon Residents' Association has serious concerns about Wellington City Council’s plans. We consulted professional experts in banking, insurance, property valuation, architecture, energy efficiency and the building industry, for their advice.

This professional advice strongly suggests:

Home buyers may be deterred from buying in Thorndon.
Property values will be impacted.
Your mortgage borrowing may be reassessed by your bank.
House insurance costs will rise.
Renovation costs will increase.
Building delays will be longer.
Owners will lose freedom of choice.
Energy efficiency will be compromised.
Council will make the design decisions on your home, not your architect or design professional.

Thorndon Residents’ Association position:

Council has enough controls to protect Thorndon.
These controls are working effectively.
Council hasn’t proved any need for heritage restrictions.
They’ve failed to consider the impact on property values, residents’ rights, and freedom of choice.
Residents are entitled to live modern lives, in suitable, comfortable and convenient housing, without unnecessary costs and heritage restrictions.

What can you do?
Come to one (or more) of these community meetings.
Café-style meetings have been organised for the community to discover how proposed heritage restrictions affect them.
Have your say in deciding the future of your suburb.
Remember, your biggest asset – your house – is at stake!

Meetings are scheduled for these locations:

We would like to know what you think!
Considered overall, do you Agree OR Disagree with new heritage restrictions in Thorndon?
Click here to complete our brief online survey.

With your consent we will represent your view
If you can’t come to any of the meetings, it’s still important your voice is heard.
Do you support the Thorndon Residents Association position? Our full position statement.
Click here to provide your view, and consent to represent your view.

Zone Changes Impact Loans

2010-02-07T22:06:00.003+13:00

Pertinent to any discussion on any zone changes. Zone changes impact residential property loans. There are obligations on mortgagors to promptly inform mortgagees whenever any change in zoning arises, and/or anything that could have an impact on value.

click the document to enlarge it

Public meetings - some background

2010-02-03T14:04:00.015+13:00

During the period March-May 2009 WCC promoted a concept that would ring-fence all, or parts, of residential Thorndon into 'heritage' precincts. The declared WCC intent was (or is) to constitute these (or similar) by modifying the District Plan. The impacted areas declared at the time can be viewed on an online map that was prepared using Council data.

Elevated concerns of both its members and others in the community, particularly following a WCC convened public meeting held at the Thorndon School, encouraged the Thorndon Residents' Association to convene an action committee to unveil the issues. This group initiated a dialogue with Ward Councillors, WCC officers and numerous other stakeholders, from both within and beyond Thorndon.

The Council agreed to further consultation and to forgo its published deadlines. This paved the way to plan a different approach and to introduce the principles of deliberative public engagement. These are meetings where the emphasis moves to actively involving people, the community, in decision-making. The emphasis moves to priority on the community and participants' discussions, and it demands high levels of transparency so that everybody knows what's going-on, what's being/been discussed.

The up-coming public meetings will be professionally facilitated around these principles. The facilitator will be independent i.e. from WCC, the Residents' Association or other Thorndon entities. Please don't miss the opportunity to attend one (or more) of these participatory neighbourhood meetings. February 16 or 23, or March 2 or 9. Their success largely depends on as many people as possible turning out, and the will to share views and to listen to others. If you have been interested to read this far you probably have a reason to be there ... the convenors encourage and welcome your participation. These public meetings are open to anyone with an interest, both within and beyond residential Thorndon. Roll-up, take part, make a difference.

A sense of place

2010-01-27T10:19:00.006+13:00

Amusing and thought provoking. Places are living organisms. Kunstler concludes with predictions for the future.

The Gantries beside Hobson St bridge

2010-01-25T15:03:00.006+13:00

[ November 2009 post refers ]
Not distant from the unsightly gantries that now crowd the Hobson St bridge there is a plaque embedded in a stone wall. It dates from 1972 and records an environmental award for the care and consideration of environmental values that were an outstanding feature of the design of the urban motorway and its landscapes.

It reads " care for the surroundings have restored and enhanced the qualities of the environment traversed by this new road ".

Has it taken only until 2009 for approving authorities (and engineers) to abandon good environmental principles, practices and design concepts?

(click the image to enlarge it)

Resource Consent Process a Pig?

2010-01-24T21:54:00.017+13:00

Ready to learn more? Want to share a view? Take-up an opportunity to participate in discussion? Ready to share or test an idea, or share a concern about options for the management of heritage in residential Thorndon? Or perhaps you just wish to listen to the conversation and mood of others in the neighbourhood. Any of these (and more) are excellent reasons to attend one or all of the local meetings/workshops that have been organised especially for you. The initiative has been undertaken to improve consultation on heritage zoning proposals and options.

The Association is encouraging ways to improve community engagement. Add your influence; roll-up to any of these convenient opportunities.image credit: Geange Consulting

Zones ( heritage, historic, etc ) impact property insurance

2010-01-21T21:38:00.004+13:00

( click on document to enlarge )

Dear WCC

2010-01-20T22:40:00.004+13:00

It’s been 20 years since I moved into the family home to care for my elderly parents. I thought it would be great to bring you up to date with the property situation and thanks for being a proactive, visionary Council.

Our family is doing OK, the children have asthma and other respiratory issues but they share an oxygen cylinder with their grandparents. I sponge my parents daily as they cannot climb in and out of the cast iron claw bath which so many years ago seemed practical, functional and beautiful. The gas unit which has supplied the house for so long is hanging in there, but the smell of gas is not prominent as the back door has rotted away and doesn’t quite close, the Wellington wind is a blessing after all. We stuff the DomPost into the window/wall cavities, our Community Health worker tells us this is a fire risk. As you know the DomPost is cheaper than trying to get permission to renovate an old house that is governed by the WCC Heritage Rules. Fortunately, as the tourists from sunny California walk pass they wave and offer encouraging words, telling us how cute our house looks from the street. It seems living in the Heritage zone has one advantage.

Now that I have brought you up-to-date I really wanted to tell you my kids are fine, my parents healthy and active, we thoroughly enjoy living in our Thorndon home since we renovated it and replaced all the windows with ‘look-alikes’ that could cope with double glazing. We installed central heating, relined and increased insulation in the walls, we rewired and popped in a couple of skylights in the hallway. At your recommendation we considered and incorporated solar heating panels on the roof, our power bills are no longer cause for concern.

So, thanks WCC for having the foresight to deal with the world as it is and not applying Heritage zoning to the majority of areas within Thorndon.

Your happy rate-paying customer.

Authentic farmers’ market opening

2010-01-20T20:24:00.007+13:00

6th FEBRUARY 2010
Then every Saturday from 9am - 1pm
Wellington Cathedral Carpark on Hill St, Thorndon

Enjoy the gala opening of the Hill St Farmers’ Market - Wellington City’s only authentic farmers’ market. Pick up your weekly shop or weekend brunch, meet some of our fantastic local producers and enjoy some Hill St Farmers Market cake and a great Peoples Coffee with your friends and neighbours.

Dominion Post item (2/2/10) about the road accident which delayed the organisers from launching sooner.

Graffiti on the rise in the Hobson St-Tinakori Rd precinct

2009-12-29T16:55:00.004+13:00

There has been an unprecedented increase in graffiti vandalism since Christmas eve. This is recorded on the Association's graffiti map and has been reported to WCC as well as to the NZ Police. Please report any further activity to WCC (Ph 4994444) or to the Police if you observe any suspicious or criminal behaviour e.g. tagging.

Heritage Project - WCC letter to Residents and Ratepayers

2009-12-17T13:19:00.005+13:00

(click on the letter below to enlarge)

Residential property rights - don't miss these meetings

2009-12-06T09:31:00.011+13:00

No other suburb in Wellington contains such a range and quality of residential heritage as Thorndon.

The WCC propose to modify the District Plan in a way that has the potential to seriously impact residential property rights. The Thorndon Residents' Association is seeking better engagement by residents on the proposals and encouraging an active conversation between the community and the WCC to find a better way forward.

Our Vision
The TRA vision for Thorndon has always been to work alongside the council and all interested parties. We believe no plan can be sustained without the engagement and agreement of the people it is meant to serve, and it must take into genuine consideration those who are affected by the plan and minimise adverse impacts on residents' property rights. There is a very real need to create a future for the Thorndon community that is distinct and not predicted by its past.

Current state and Community involvement
Feedback from a public meeting held 11 March 2009 indicated that the council process was flawed from a community perspective; feedback from the formal written submission process is limited.

The process was stalled and it was agreed with council “that the revised provisions will be further consulted on with the Thorndon community prior to any heritage related proposed district plan change for the area being reported to the Council for its consideration”.

The Thorndon Residents’ Association has agreed to work in partnership with the Council and hold a series of local meetings and workshops to gather feedback from Thorndon and the wider Wellington community.

Community Meetings
The following are dates and venues for meetings to be held in February and March 2010. Your future and your property rights are affected, so we recommend you update your diaries, and strongly urge you attend one or more of the meetings:

Future state (where we want to be)
We are seeking a solution that the community can sustain over the long haul that balances a range of competing needs, economic, environmental, social, and historical. We recognise that this will only occur when public conversations are held, with council commitment to outcomes based on accountability to the community. We also recognise this will be especially difficult in a community like Thorndon, where history and the past seem to be overriding restraints. We have partnered with a number of interested parties and in particular the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA).

The TRA agrees with the NZIA Manifesto for New Zealand’s Built Environment, in particular:
• the decisions we make on the form of our built environment can influence how we define ourselves as families, communities, and ultimately as a nation
• we need to be mindful of these qualities—spiritual, spatial, sustainable.

TRA agree with NZIA that the future of Thorndon’s built environment must be based on a combination of five key concepts:
1. community—quality community spaces, essential for a well-functioning modern society
2. sustainability—in both economic and moral terms
3. affordability—long term affordability through good design is the ultimate goal
4. heritage—preservation of the past and creation of the future must become a matter of deliberate design, not chance
5. urban design—the places we create should reflect our nation’s heritage, culture and aspirations

The TRA does not accept or agree with Council’s concept that Thorndon’s future be controlled solely by heritage zone ring fencing.

Building energy efficiency into homes is now an important consideration; whereas only decades ago this consideration didn't prevail at all. Freedom to exercise environmental conservation on a case by case basis must now be part of Thorndon's evolving residential character. For reasons like this there is a concern that WCC's current proposal to heritage ringfence any part of Thorndon is an inappropriate and 'blunt' regulatory intervention that will hinder necessary innovation, adaptability and flexibility and have the potential to seriously impinge on fundamental residential property rights.

Therefore the TRA is seeking more sound and appropriate responses from the WCC to meet the contemporary needs of residents, families, and the use of their residential properties, whilst sustaining the overall character of Thorndon.

It is our expectation that we will partner with WCC, interested parties and residents to build and achieve a sustainable, community endorsed outcome.

Your participation is essential. Please note the meeting dates and venues above.
Meantime, if you would like more information or earlier involvement please contact the TRA.

Congratulations to responsible dog owners

2009-11-11T20:50:00.001+13:00

The Katherine Mansfield Park at the end of Hobson Street is a wonderful asset for the community. The Blind Garden and lawns are well maintained and are a joy to walk through. Workers from nearby buildings often enjoy a break in the gardens and children are enjoying the new play area. What is most heartening is the lack of doggie doo in the park. Serious dog walkers are great with the plastic bag pick-up task and are taking responsibility for cleaning up after their dogs.

In the dark?

2009-11-11T20:33:00.001+13:00

What has happened to the lights across the Hobson Street Bridge? There seem to be more not working than working. This is important lighting in what is a relatively dark area. For safety from accidents (tripping and falling) and for personal safety the lights on the bridge should be maintained in a working state. The Wellington City Council has been notified (ref #1790148) Let’s see what happens.

Full-scale meccano set crowds Hobson St bridge

2009-11-11T19:47:00.012+13:00

In the past couple of days large gantries and electronic display panels have been erected which soar at least three metres above the Hobson St Bridge.

Like imposing sentries in battle-grey steel wearing heavy concrete boots, they stand astride the motorway to support electronic traffic information display panels. These over-sized meccano sets now block a view to the ferry terminal and the harbour and they interfere with other vistas of Thorndon. Walk the bridge ... what do you think? Comment below ... or if you want to let WCC know your views call 499 4444, quote ref 1790149.

This brings to mind the impending conversation that our community is going to commence on managing heritage property and other values, such as streetscapes in Thorndon.

There is no question that motorway safety is important ... but, these imposing monstrosities look like stage or movie sets. Nothing any resident could do will match this level of violation of streetscapes.

Not distant from the unsightly gantrie that now crowds the Hobson St bridge there is a plaque embedded in a stone wall. It dates from 1972 and records an environmental award for the care and consideration of environmental values that were an outstanding feature of the design of the motorway and its landscapes.

It reads " care for the surroundings have restored and enhanced the qualities of the environment traversed by this new road ".

Has it taken only until 2009 for approving authorities (and engineers) to abandon good environmental principles and design concepts?

Childrens' Halloween Party in the Park

2009-10-27T21:43:00.010+13:00

The Party starts at 4PM in Katherine Mansfield Park ... Saturday 31st October.

We are suggesting families bring your own picnic and drinks.

There will be a BBQ with sausages, sauce and bread available.

We are planning on a lolly scramble, a treasure hunt, a costume parade, and a Halloween pinata will adorn a tree. Expect some other decoration too.

Any helpers or decorations would be great ... introduce yourself (helpers arrive about 3PM)

This event will be cancelled if it is raining; a sign up will be erected in the park ... and on this blog (look for comments).

Council wishes to protect the Streetscape of Thorndon

2009-10-26T14:05:00.027+13:00

To protect anything, you have to understand what it is you are protecting.

According to the Council this is suitable and requires protection from the ordinary person who might create a desirable home.

On the other hand this is unsuitable to be built because it uses aluminium joinery to provide an insulated and minimise risk of a leaky home. In addition the use of aluminium is more durable during an earthquake –0 what does the Civil Defence Building use?

The type of window is from First and of course is designed for modern people even allowing the window to pivot for easy cleaning. Do our Urban designers understand modern living?

These windows have been installed in a home in Karori (fortunately not under the influence of Urban planners).

This is a window from the Civil Defence building showing a building in sympathy with its surroundings using aluminium joinery.

Finally if we wish to improve our streetscape then the Council needs to give consideration to its pollution of the streetscape with overhead cables and a multitude of signage every 20 yards or so.

Thorndon needs to provide a vibrant living environment for its modern residents in the 21st century.

Tony Hood
126 Tinakori Road

Submission on Parking, Traffic Action Group

2009-10-18T01:18:00.009+13:00

Feedback to WCC on review of residents' parking and coupon schemes. See earlier post on 12 September.

The residents’ parking scheme provides parking spaces for residents in areas dominated by commuters and institutions. Residents of specified Thorndon streets are eligible to apply for either a Residents’ Parking Permit or a Coupon Exemption Permit.

There is a high level of demand for parking in Thorndon coupon zones, particularly on streets close to the central city.

Residential Thorndon is a suburb where residents need regulatory assistance to preserve an adequate number of curbside parking spaces. The protection is needed to preserve normal suburban living expectations, especially being able to safely park residents’ vehicles on the street.

Residential Thorndon suffers an onslaught of car park seekers every business day. Thorndon is also the nearest residential suburb to the regional stadium. Therefore residents also need protection from time-to-time from visitors to larger events that fall outside the normal business day onslaught. Local schools and halls also help load the streets with visitors and car park seekers. This can also occur during non-business days, public holidays or weekends when special events occur. The Town Belt and parks, the heritage trails, sports clubs (Bridge clubs, Tennis Club, etc) and the Thorndon tourist attractions can also add to the competition for car parks in residential Thorndon streets during non-business days (weekends, Public Holidays, school holidays).

The Thorndon Residents’ Association seeks solutions which secure parking, 24x7x365 for legitimate residents’ vehicles.

Residents of Thorndon have the same needs to service their properties, and to have independent vehicular access, as any of the other city residential householders situated in other suburbs of Wellington City. Families often have more than one vehicle, and whether there is off-street parking or not there are many scenarios that demand the need for alternate curbside parking for the family car off property, particularly during recreational periods ie weekends when the off-street parking space may be needed for other normal household activity (on-site spaces are not solely for parking vehicles, particularly on smaller sized urban properties). It is also noted that many Thorndon properties may have designated ‘off-street’ parking but the size of these spaces can be too restrictive for larger vehicles so curbside parking is still required because of these realities.

Thorndon residents also need some provision for visitors, like trades people to park and service their properties; or to temporarily park a trailer, for example ... a normal weekend activity for DIY residents. Residents of Thorndon expect the same freedoms that other suburban dwellers in the city enjoy.

It is noted that residential Thorndon properties contribute considerably to the city’s rate take. 737 valuation properties in Residential Thorndon provide a rating base valued over $900 million. It is therefore considered fair, in return, to seek from the city some fair protection and priority of access to street parking for residents. There is a high expectation that the city ensure that all legitimate residents of Thorndon have priority consideration for on-street car parking.

Given the considerable collective contribution from residential Thorndon already makes in rates, the Thorndon Residents’ Association is not in favour of fee increases or restrictions on parking permit allowances for legitimate Thorndon residents. Most of the demand for extra street parking in Thorndon does not arise from Thorndon residents. Commuters, visitors and workers at nearby institutions, or patrons of sports events, are the main cause of parking congestion in Thorndon. Therefore the recovery of the costs to regulating street parking must be ascribed to those creating the extra burden and demands ie the commuters and visitors who bring the problem to Thorndon.

The Association also questions whether the city has an appropriate balance between this review and other aspects of the city transport strategy; for example park and ride. Rather than encouraging people to drive vehicles to park in Thorndon and then walk to their office, or school etc, why isn’t the city promoting alternatives, such as parking at a public parking terminal ( in the ‘burbs ) and riding public transport into the city? Perhaps an incentive for this to work would be an increase to the coupon parking fee up to whatever motivating level is necessary to change behaviour.

There also appears to be some devils in the detail of the administration of the current Residents’ parking scheme. Distortions occur with the existing regime. It is particularly noticed in some areas of Thorndon, typically those residential areas that are situated nearer the central areas. Residents in these areas of Thorndon notice that they often can’t find a residents’ car park during business days when the parking spaces should be reserved for residents. Where are all these other permitted cars arriving from? They consume the residents’ parking spaces and they deny legitimate residents from parking within the vicinity of their homes. This suggests there are scheme management problems. People appear to be able to abuse the current scheme.

Submission in Summary:
• Provide priority for legitimate Thorndon residents
• Do not restrict permits for legitimate Thorndon residents
• Do not increase fees for legitimate Thorndon residents; instead focus on dissuading the protagonists (increase the fee differential for them)
• Tighten-up the administration of the scheme; there seems to be some abuse.

Yours sincerely

Carolyn Shields
Lead, Traffic Action Group
Thorndon Residents Association

William Neal
Acting Chair
Thorndon Residents Association

Council Meeting on Earthquake Prone Buildings

2009-10-13T23:45:00.003+13:00

Do you own or manage an earthquake-prone building? The Building Act promotes making our city safer by requiring buildings that are earthquake prone to be either strengthened or demolished. For dwellings, only those that are two or more storeys high and have three or more household units are affected. Owners of other dwellings may still make their own arrangements, independent of Council policy, to strengthen against earthquakes.

Wellington City Council has started a special-interest group for people to find out more about the new policy for earthquake-prone buildings. The first meeting takes place on Tuesday 3 November at 6pm at the Adam Auditorium in Wellington City Gallery, Civic Square.

The new policy came into effect on 1 July this year after a review. One of the suggestions to come out of the review was the need to bring together professionals and property owners involved in strengthening earthquake-prone buildings.

Please call Suzie Fitchett-O’Reilly on 801 3522 or email suzie.fitchett-oreilly@wcc.govt.nz to RSVP for this meeting by 28 October. RSVP is a must as there are limited spaces available. If you can’t make the meeting, you can also request to be notified about future similar meetings.

Art and Crime Collide

2009-10-06T19:27:00.002+13:00

In this location the effort is called street art and some of it may even attract awards. Exactly the same activity, right out of place in Thorndon, is considered blatant vandalism. See previous posting ...

Graffiti vandals attack wall again

2009-09-27T15:23:00.004+13:00

This elevated wall above Thorndon Quay, clearly visible from many angles, was only recently repainted to remove previous defacements. Trespassers have again breached the wall and adjacent electric security fencing.

900 million rea$ons to value Residential Thorndon

2009-09-21T23:15:00.003+12:00

The image illustrates the extent of residential Thorndon as defined in the WCC's operative district plan. (click on the image to enlarge it)

Outer Residential comprises 11 valuation properties at the northern end of the suburb:
Rateable Capital Value: $8,885,000
Land Value: $5,285,000

Inner Residential comprises 704 valuation properties:
Rateable Capital Value: $889,022,000
Land Value: $519,159,000

Suburban Centre comprises 22 valuation properties in the village:
Rateable Capital Value: $26,495,000
Land Value: $17,067,000

Please note: errors and omissions are to be expected and in no way are these figures to be relied upon for further analysis of any sort. These data are sourced from several interlinking WCC databases which contain multiple joins and rely on inputs from several internal and external sources. Therefore, these figures are only approximate and accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Supplied by WCC, 21 September 2009.

It’s Our Fault : naturally disastrous Thorndon

2009-09-18T16:14:00.002+12:00

The Wellington Fault is about 50 per cent less likely to rupture in the next 100 years than previously thought. Scientists have been working on a research project called It's Our Fault. They have found that the fault, regarded until recently as primed and capable of producing a big earthquake fairly soon, has longer quiet spells between big ruptures than was generally accepted.

But earthquakes will still occur and the need to be prepared remains the same.

Media release from GNS.
Residents Association's interactive map of the location of the rupture zone through Thorndon.

Te Ahumairangi Hill ( formerly Tinakori Hill )

2009-09-18T13:04:00.004+12:00

Te Ahumairangi Hill was formerly known and recorded as Tinakori Hill (that wasn't an official name). The Town Belt landmark dominates and delineates the western flank of Thorndon. Topographic map 260-R27, R28 & Pt.Q27 -Wellington, records the highest point as 303m above sea level. From the beaconed trig station named 'Upper Witako No 2' the hill extends northeasterly and parallel to Tinakori Road for approximately 1km.

So ... thanks to the NZ Geographic Board we're not hiking up the Tinakori Hill any longer ... it's official, we're off to Te Ahumairangi Hill.

Gone !

2009-09-16T15:11:00.000+12:00

Gone ! ... the graffiti wall above Thorndon Quay. The fence has been repainted.

Resident and Coupon Parking schemes proposals

2009-09-12T13:01:00.000+12:00

WCC wants to improve guidelines for the operation and management of these schemes. Among other things the proposals include changes to residents' permit eligibility criteria, and reducing the number of permits allowed for multi-unit dwellings.

Council also want to hear views on the price of Residents' Parking, Coupon Exemption and Coupon Parking Permits.

Tell the Council what you think. Deadline is Friday 16th October 2009.

Would you wish the Thorndon Residents' Association to engage? Please post a comment to this blog to share a viewpoint.

Authentic Farmers' Market for Thorndon

2009-09-08T23:47:00.000+12:00

Planning for a farmers’ market is well underway and set to open in Hill St Thorndon. The group operating the market has secured 18 stallholders (although anticipating having between 20-30 by open day); aiming to open on Saturday 28 November 2009.

The market will be held each Saturday morning from 9am-1pm all year around and will be an authentic farmers’ market e.g. at least 80% local product from within 350km of Thorndon.

Working bee ... the more the merrier.
The group would love some help in a community working bee on 31 October 2009 to paint old doors (will turn into tables) and sew bunting from coffee sacks and old scraps of material.
If you have any old tables, chairs or foldable trestles or scrap material you might be willing to donate, please do let Jo know. Very keen to refurbish and reinvent old furniture for seating.

Jo Freeman
M 021 440 487 P (04) 4722363 E jo.freeman@urbanharvest.co.nz

Graffiti report

2009-09-07T16:09:00.000+12:00

The map indicates that clean-up of graffiti vandalism has progressed well this past month. Yellow map markers indicate the locations where the response has been completed. Blue markers indicate a response is needed. Purple markers indicate WCC has yet to allocate a job number.

eDay

2009-09-06T22:16:00.000+12:00

eDay Saturday 12th September, Westpac Stadium.
eDay is a community initiative designed to raise awareness of the benefits of recycling computers and the hazardous nature of electronic waste (e-waste), while offering an easy way for households to dispose of old computers and mobile phones in an environmentally sustainable manner.

New trees in Hobson St

2009-09-06T21:43:00.002+12:00

Ten Oriental Plane trees (plantanus orientalis) were planted last week along the southern end of Hobson St. In season these hardy decidous trees will green-up the stark, boarded boundary with the Wellington Girls' College playing fields. These trees can grow to about 9 metres.

Transition Towns Expo

2009-09-01T16:12:00.000+12:00

Transition Towns initiatives are part of a vibrant, international grassroots movement that brings people together to explore how we – as communities - can respond to the environmental, economic and social challenges arising from climate change, resource depletion and an economy based on growth. There's an expo being held at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul ... commencing 6 September 2009.

Residential Thorndon - where is it

2009-07-23T17:08:00.001+12:00

The district plan maps provide the WCC Planners' definition. As a quick guide we have created this interactive map. You can zoom-in to any area to see more detail and move it about (left mouse click + drag). This map shows the extent of three area types:
- inner residential areas (914 land parcels)
- outer residential area (20 land parcels)
- suburban centre area (25 land parcels)
Note: a land parcel and a property are not equivalent, though frequently do correlate on typical house + section situations. Clearly there are a few exceptions to this in Thorndon, including special sites like Queen Margaret College among numerous others.

View Larger Map Area definitions supplied by WCC, July 2009
We are working towards deriving the number of properties for residential Thorndon and deriving an estimate of the total rateable value contribution.

Proposed Traffic Resolutions

2009-07-14T22:42:00.000+12:00

The Association has early notification of some curbside parking proposals. WCC will send these directly to affected parties (eg near residents) for their feedback during the consultation process. The proposed restrictions will also be advertised in the Our Wellington Page of the Dominion Post on 21 July 2009. If no objections are received, the reports will be presented to the WCC Strategy and Policy Committee on 3 September 2009, then to the Council for approval and implementation soon after. WCC's coordinator seeks any written submissions by 7 August 2009.

P120, Monday-Sunday 8:00-6:00pm, in Hobson St near Katherine Mansfield Park
more residents' parking in Goldies Brae

Are you a traffic tamer?

2009-07-11T10:58:00.000+12:00

There is general consensus that we have more than a fair share of traffic issues in Thorndon. We've been taking a traditional approach to these, engaging the City's officers and experts, etc.
However, apparently there is another pathway.
Could the residents of Thorndon be traffic tamers? Help ourselves to the solutions? Can we, the residents of Thorndon, slow down the traffic?
Apparently so ... just by being here, and by behaving in subtle, different ways. Just by changing mindsets.
It is possible to regain control of traffic in a community. It is possible to withdraw the unwritten permission we grant drivers to speed along our streets. It is possible to reassert control, over time, in a way that's more effective than traffic engineers and regulator's signage.
A more vibrant and socialised community will positively change traffic and driver behaviour. Brisbane-based social innovator David Engwicht writes and lectures about ways to reclaim suburbs, build vibrant communities and tame traffic. Also on Radio NZ this morning.

Graffiti clean-up progress

2009-06-19T23:12:00.000+12:00

One of the council workers/contractors was found doing good work this morning. She told me she started near 6AM and was painting over all the graffiti vandalism in and around the subway under the motorway on-ramp for Murphy St.