Safer, more efficient design to replace existing SH2 Melling intersection

Te Awa Kairangi Alliance alongside the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi are excited to announce a developed concept design for the State Highway 2 Melling interchange.

The existing Melling intersection is located in a complex environment between the Western Hills, State Highway 2, Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River and the rail corridor. It is also on the Wellington fault line, sits above the Waiwhetū Aquifer and is one of the main transport links into the busy central city of Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai - Lower Hutt. The existing intersection has significant safety and travel reliability issues, with over 40,000 journeys through this area on the highway every day.   

As part of the Interim Project Alliance Agreement (IPAA) phase, the Alliance has been challenged to review the existing design, improving it where feasible, with regards to performance, constructability, safety, sustainability, and affordability. Revising the design is not unusual for this stage of such a large and complex project.

This developed concept design enables grade separation between through traffic on State Highway 2, and those travelling to/ from Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai - Lower Hutt and the Western Hills.

With improved walking and cycling paths and better access to public transport, this design provides a safer and more resilient transport system for all users. The removal of the existing Melling Link bridge will also greatly improve the flood protection of the city.

In addition, this developed concept design improves sustainability outcomes, with reduced vegetation clearance and slope cuts in the Western Hills, alongside fewer retaining walls and a smaller bridge footprint.

It is expected that the Interim Project Alliance Agreement (IPAA) phase will continue until December this year. The Project Alliance Agreement (PAA) will then be signed, with construction scheduled to begin in early 2025.

Watch our flyover video and learn more about the exciting improvements in and around Melling at: teawakairangi.co.nz/mellingimprovements

Benefits of the New Design

Improved Traffic Flow and Efficiency:

• Grade-separated interchange between State Highway 2 and Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai – Lower Hutt and the Western Hills enables more efficient travel during peak periods.
• Design accommodates higher volumes of traffic to safely flow through the interchange.

Enhanced Safety:

• Removal of conflicting right-hand turns from SH2 northbound and the new Melling Link river bridge to SH2 northbound.
• Reduction in the risk of accidental right-hand turns onto SH2 ramps or straight-through movements from Marsden Street onto the southbound SH2 off-ramp.

Benefits for Pedestrians and Cyclists:

Wider shared paths:

• Southern side of the new bridge over SH2 (4.5m wide).
• Southern side of the new Melling Link bridge over Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River (4m wide).
• Reduced number and length of pedestrian crossings at the interchange, improving safety and helping traffic flow.
• Cyclists can use a 1.5m shoulder on the northern side of the new bridges for faster Hutt City-bound travel.
• SH2 cyclists can connect to a new dedicated off-road cycle path and join the Te Ara Tupua cycleway.

Benefits for Public Transport Users:

• Better access via the new relocated Melling train station.
• New park and ride facility.
• Improved bus, walking, and cycling connections to the state highway, CBD, and the Western Hills, and links to other paths such as Te Ara Tupua.
• Significant opportunity for increased patronage on the Melling train line and safer, more efficient routes for all users in and around Melling.

Progress for fixing the Holidays Act 2003

The Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden says this Government will improve the Holidays Act 2003 [the Act] with the help of businesses and workers who will be affected by changes to the Act.

“Change has been a long time coming, and I know there are many who are frustrated with the Holidays Act. We need an Act that businesses can implement, and that makes it easy for workers to understand their entitlements. We need to do this once and do it right.

“I have heard from a number of businesses who are struggling to adjust to the previous Government’s decision to double sick leave entitlements for all eligible workers.

“Workplaces that rely on part-time workers are particularly vulnerable to unexpected staffing shortages. To explore this issue further, the exposure draft set for consultation will include a proposed approach to pro-rating sick leave, to better reflect how much an employee works,” says Ms van Velden.

NZ exports to the US: strong growth continues - June 2024

• In 2023 bilateral trade between New Zealand and the US continued a strong post-pandemic recovery and growth trajectory. With 16% growth in 2023, the US was New Zealand’s fastest growing major market. At NZ$14.6 billion, the US surpassed Australia to become New Zealand’s second largest export market in the year ending March 2024. 
• The growth in exports to the US was led by a strong services sector - up 32.2% to NZ$6.2 billion. This was driven by tourism numbers almost returning to pre-pandemic levels.  This trend seems to be continuing in 2024, with visitor numbers up by 33% compared to January to March 2023.
• New Zealand’s goods exports to the US grew 5.8%, primarily driven by growth in the value of primary sector exports, with notable growth in dairy (23%) and red meat (15%). Goods trade for 2024 appears to be continuing this growth trajectory with trade up 14% in the first quarter from 2023.  
• The strong and growing trade and economic connections between New Zealand and the US is a substantive and welcome element in a key bilateral relationship. It reflects a strong US economy and a growing desire for the sorts of high-quality goods and services that New Zealand produces. 

Surprise surprise, weaker consents and weaker construction. 

Last week, data from StatsNZ showed that construction work fell a massive 4% over the March quarter. It’s a much bigger downturn than expected. Market consensus had estimated a decline of just 0.5% over March. And instead, we saw the biggest quarterly decline in around 2 years. With little surprise, the fall in construction work follows further declines in building consents. Over the quarter, consents were down a staggering 30%. And compared to a year ago, consents are down 26.7%. 

A soft housing market and tough financial conditions continues to weigh on residential building activity - down 4.8% over the quarter. And going forward, we expect more of the same. Rapid population growth as well as changes in government policy, including the reintroduction of the interest deductibility, may soon see an improvement across the housing market, and flow through to construction. But it may take a rate cut before we see any meaningful improvements.

Food safety toolkit

Whether dining out or taking away, customers trust that the food they’re eating has been prepared by food businesses that prioritise food safety. To help food service businesses excel in this critical area, refreshed educational resources have been launched, offering food safety tips and information that focus on small changes capable of making a big difference.

Food safety is crucial for both customer health and the reputation of the business. Here are the most important food safety areas to remember:

1. Get the right training – know how to keep food safe and suitable.
2. Clean and sanitise – to stop bugs spreading.
3. Wash your hands properly.
4. Keep cooked, raw and allergen food separate.
5. Cook and store food at the right temperature.

Seaview Wastewater Treatment Plant Tour

Wellington Water invites you to join a tour of the Seaview Plant to see first-hand how it operates and learn about future planned upgrades.

Date: 22 June
Time: 1.30 – 3.30 pm
Location: Seaview Plant main entrance, Waterman Street, Seaview
Space is limited, so be sure to book your spot by emailing community@wellingtonwater.co.nz with your name, number of people attending, and your contact number in case of postponement. Please RSVP before Friday, 14 June.

Please note that the tour involves some walking and stair-climbing, which may not be suitable for those with mobility issues or children under 12.

For health and safety reasons, attendees must wear long pants, long-sleeved tops, and closed-toe shoes. Additional gear will be provided. Since most of the tour is outdoors, don't forget to bring a rain jacket in case of showers.

If the weather forecast is bad, the tour will be postponed to Saturday, 6 July. Due to limited numbers, additional dates may be scheduled if there is significant interest.

Annual Regional Parks Survey - Have your say!

The annual regional parks and river trails satisfaction survey is now open. What can we improve? What do you love about parks? Please let us know. Follow the link here to the survey:  https://survey.publicvoice.co.nz/s3/1fc5ffc6b273

Expression of interest. Do you know of a recreation or conservation group who may be interested in using an area of Pakuratahi Forest Park in Upper Hutt? 
We have an expression of interest open for possible new uses of the former glider club area and facilities which includes the club hut and hangar. You can find out more here and register interest: Greater Wellington — Expression of Interest - Pākuratahi Forest Regional Park Former glider club site open space and facilities (gw.govt.nz). The Expressions of Interest period closes on Wednesday, June 26th, 2024.
 

Consultation opens on plan to change Petone's spelling to Pito One

Public consultation opens today on a proposal to correct the spelling of the Lower Hutt suburb Petone to Pito One.

The proposal was made to Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa New Zealand Geographic Board by The Wellington Tenths Trust and the Palmerston North Māori Reserve Trust with support from the Hutt City Council and numerous other iwi groups from the region.

Board secretary Wendy Shaw said Pito One was the correct spelling for the suburb.

"The name refers to the burial of pito (umbilical cord) in the one (sand) as a symbolic tethering of a newborn to the land and their tūrangawaewae (place to stand) and as an expression of ahi kā (continuous occupation).

Heartbeat Community CPR and AED Training

Calling all individuals, businesses and community groups in Upper Hutt!
Join Rachel Evans, Senior Heartbeat Coordinator from Wellington Free Ambulance for the highly anticipated Heartbeat Community CPR/AED Training.
These training sessions are completely free of charge, thanks to the Lloyd Morrison Foundation.

Date: 18 June and 17 July
Time: Either 10AM to 12PM or 6PM to 8PM
Where: Upper Hutt Cosmopolitan Club
Registration is required and if you have 15 or more participants, the training can be organised at your premises, ensuring maximum convenience and participation. 

Update on Plan Change 50 (PC50) 

The Upper Hutt City Council has recently become aware that a submission from the original PC50 consultation period was omitted from the ‘further submission’ consultation. An independent third party was engaged to investigate the issue and determined that the cause was at a software level, not due to submitter or Council officer error.

The decisions requested by submitters have now been updated. This new information for the current ‘further submission’ process may affect interested parties who wish to or have already made a further submission.

Recognising that the current closing date may not allow sufficient time for those wishing to submit or resubmit a further submission, the consultation period has been extended by an additional two weeks (beyond the original ten days).

Submissions will now close at 5.00 pm on Wednesday, 26 June.

All further submissions that have already been made will still be valid. If you believe any other submissions may have been missed, please get in contact with the Planning Team.

For more information on PC50, and to make your further submission, please click on the link below.

Join us for CareerFest 2024!

CareerFest 2024 is an exciting event hosted by the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, bringing together businesses and over 14 schools from the Hutt Valley to explore dynamic career opportunities. This is your chance to engage directly with the next generation of talent, showcasing your business and industry innovations. Highlight your latest projects, connect with enthusiastic rangatahi, and even feature the women in your team within our dedicated Women in Trades section. Don’t miss out on this unique platform to shape the future workforce and elevate your business profile. Register your interest today and secure your stand at CareerFest 2024!

Futurebound Academy Roadshow

Join the Futurebound Academy Roadshow and take charge of your financial future!

Futurebound is all about empowering Kiwis with expert advice and education to secure your financial future.

During this LIVE, in-person event, you'll discover 36 incredible tips, tricks, and hacks to free up more cash, so you can travel more, live abundantly, and retire comfortably.

Here's a Sneak Peek at What You'll Learn at the Futurebound Academy Roadshow 2024:

💥 36 Simple, Yet Powerful Ways to Lower Your Cost of Living AND Elevate Your Lifestyle in 2024... without giving up your coffees
💥 3 Practical Tips to Master Your Money Mindset
💥 Be in to win a Luxury 2-Night Rotorua Getaway for Two

⭐ Date & Location:
Wellington: Thursday, 13 June 2024 @ Boulcott's Farm Heritage Golf Club

Register now and secure your spot!

Support Sprig + Fern Petone!

Sprig + Fern Petone is thrilled to announce that they are in the running for New Zealand's Best Local! This beloved local spot needs your support to secure the title of the People's Choice.

Do you love their friendly atmosphere, great brews, and fantastic community vibe? Now is your chance to give back! By casting your vote, you can help Sprig + Fern Petone achieve the recognition they deserve.

To vote, simply scan the QR code provided. It will take you directly to the voting page where you can show your support. Every vote counts and brings them one step closer to victory. Your support truly matters!

Z Energy | Chamber Deals

Z Business is delighted to advise that Chamber of Commerce members discount will increase from 10 cents per litre to 11 cents per litre off pump at service stations and truck stops from Monday 5 February.  

To find out more, click the button below!

Inferno Outdoor Fireplaces | Chamber Deals

Inferno Fires specialises in making their client's dreams & memories come true in their backyard. Inferno Outdoor Fires has a special offer for Chamber members of 5% off the marked price.

To find out more, click the button below!

Air New Zealand | Chamber Deals

For businesses looking to leverage the vast array of offerings from Air New Zealand, there's good news. Air New Zealand has crafted a specialised Business Services page that outlines the multitude of options and programs available for businesses.

To find out more, click the button below!

Bunnings Trade | PowerPass Member Deal

Unlock a range of discounts and simplify the procurement of a huge range of products across our nationwide store network.
Bunnings Trade has partnered with NZ Chambers of Commerce to offer members access to the PowerPass membership program providing a range of exclusive benefits.

For any questions or queries, please feel free to email us at orgs@bunnings.co.nz.

Rove Rentals | Chamber Member Deal

Located in Wellington Region

From moving house to weekend getaways, Rove has got your transportation needs covered.  They are also van and truck rental specialists.

Ready to rent? Visit our website at www.roverentals.co.nz or give us a call on 04 560 4755 to reserve your vehicle. Experience the ROVE difference for yourself!

ROVE Rentals - Rent What You Need, When You Need It!

HVCC OFFER – 15% off base rental rate, all vehicles

HOW TO REDEEM OFFER – when booking online, use code “HVC15” | when booking via phone or email, please mention this offer and confirm you are a member of the Chamber of Commerce

Brendan Foot Supersite | Chamber Member Deal

Pre-order the Next-Gen Mitsubishi Triton for March Delivery

One of the top three utes in New Zealand, be one of the first to drive away the new Mitsubishi Triton from RSP $38,690 + ORC (GLX 2WD ) or $43,990 + ORC (GLX 4WD). This is the Triton’s first new model in nine years, offering a significant tech upgrade & improvements in driving & off-road performance, comfort, & safety. Pre-order now for March delivery with only $500 deposit & zero Clean Car Fee. Contact their Fleet Specialist, Gary, to see how he can help you with your fleet. Test drive from February. *Ts&Cs apply
 

2degrees Business Mobile| Chamber Member Deal

Join us on an eligible business mobile plan and get 2 months free. As a Chamber member you’ll also get 15% off for the life of your plan. 

50% discount on one-off deep cleaning service | CrewCare

As part of our commitment to the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce Member-to-Member Discount Program, we are prepared to offer a 50% discount on our one-off deep cleaning service to all Chamber members. This significant discount is designed to provide value to our fellow members.

How to claim: Call on the 0800 number provided in the promo (0800-800-209)

T&C's apply. 

View Our Member Marketplace:

Get Our App: