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Monday, June 9, 2025

Winter is here!!

Courtesy of Jude Day


Scaffolders - We have all seen plenty of the scaffolders in the last couple of weeks but they have now completed all sides of the building apart from the south side.  There should be less traffic at Ground level as the scaffolders will be working from the Aoraki compound.

Another skip will be delivered on Thursday morning so residents can continue to decant items no longer required.  

Blinds and curtains - when we get to Level 7 we will be putting up curtains, blinds and fittings at the higher levels whilst continuing to take curtains, blinds and fittings as we go down. Opie has been doing a great job but it is big!! He now has a helper in Lido.  Lido is a qualified plasterer and is very capable in fixing up cracked areas in apartments at the shareholders expense.  Together with Opie, carpenter and painter Damien now has his own dream team who are also half the price of existing trade prices.  Bargain!!

First solo Newsflash completed!!

Friday, June 6, 2025

Construction update

FRIDAY NEWSFLASH

Steel Soldiers being installed.

 From Gazelle:  "I know I am certainly happy to come to work each day at Herbert Gardens, and the site culture we are creating is really positive and cooperative (which is so important!) – and it definitely helps to be met with friendly shareholder smiles – we feel really lucky."

Isn't that good to hear?  And here is a summary of her update.

"We have been absolutely flat out with the installation of structural steel this week, on Level 13 and Level 12. Patton Engineering, our structural steel sub-contactor, are doing a great job.

"So far, 132 brackets have been installed between the pre-cast brackets and the floor slabs; and the installation of the steel ‘soldiers’ are well underway. The soldiers provide stability to the interior block walls.

 

"I am sure the shareholders in residence have been hearing a lot of noisy drilling, and we again thank you all for your patience and understanding.


"In other news, (although this is quite repetitive as we work down the building!) the asbestos removal on Level 11 is nearly complete, and Level 10 is ‘bubbled up’ in plastic, and ready to commence removal later this week.

 

"The painters (Blackstar Painting and Decorating) are busy prepping, sanding, and painting the window frames; and are currently working across the North and East elevations. Repairs to rotten and damaged frames are being made at the same time.

 

"I must admit it is getting a bit colder and darker and wetter, but spirits are high!

 

"I’ve attached some photos. They aren’t the most glamourous shots I’m afraid, but it’s the reality – who needs glamour when you’ve got tonnes of galvanised structural steel at your fingertips!  Keep in mind these photos are all ‘work in progress’ shots."




And that's it from me, as I will be away from Wednesday, coming back the first week in August.

Handing over to Brigid!!!!!!




Wednesday, June 4, 2025

What the furniture removers will not carry out of your apartment

 

Being in the throes of getting my apartment cleared for Conroy to move in and move my chattels out while I am away on the briny wave, I checked their website for what they will not carry.

I already knew about cleaning out my fridge, freezer, and pantry, and have been steadily eating my way through it all (and avoiding getting onto the bathroom scales).  Bernadette Rundle had already given me some very good tips, but here is their website page for what you must not leave in your apartment.

Including your guns!!!

When you’re packing to move, it pays to know what your moving company can’t handle to avoid delays on moving day. If you find yourself with a pile of extra items that you have to move yourself, it will likely disrupt your plans for a smooth move. These items aren’t uncommon, and most people will have the majority on the list. Here is that list and why we can’t handle each item.

Chemicals

We cannot carry any dangerous, poisonous, flammable, corrosive or explosive liquids or chemicals. This is for the safety of our movers and to protect your belongings while in transit. One accident could have disastrous consequences. We also can’t carry any chemicals that can interact and become dangerous. A mixture of bleach and vinegar, for example, produces chlorine gas, which is a toxic agent used in chemical warfare. We don’t want that on the moving truck or anywhere else.

Here is the full list of chemicals we cannot carry:

  • Cleaning solvents, including nail polish remover.
  • Ammonia, bleach or liquid chlorine. 
  • Firelighters, kerosene, petrol and diesel.
  • Pool chemicals as liquids or powders.
  • Methylated spirits, turpentine, paint thinners and strippers.
  • Cooking oils. 
  • Weedkillers. 
  • Photographic chemicals.
  • Fire extinguishers, aerosol cans or any other pressurised chemical products.

It is also dangerous to move these chemicals yourself. If you can’t dispose of them safely, we suggest you move them in discreet lots, so there is no chance of accidentally creating a very nasty mix. But the best advice is to use them up and don’t replace them. Then you don’t have to move them at all.

Firearms and ammunition

For the obvious reason that guns are dangerous, we cannot move them unless under specific conditions. These conditions include that you have a current firearms licence and that you have unloaded each weapon and made it inoperable so it cannot be fired in any circumstances. We cannot carry ammunition or any of its components at all. If you cannot move ammunition yourself, you will have to surrender it to an appropriate authority, such as the police.

Gas bottles 

Like petrol or other flammable gases or liquids, we can’t carry LPG bottles unless they are empty and entirely purged of gas. We will also need a certificate from a gas testing station to prove they are safe to handle. Always go to a gas testing centre to get your bottles purged. Never open the valve to release the gas into the air. LPG, in its gaseous state, is heavier than our atmosphere, so it sits on the ground in dangerous, explosive puddles. LPG gas leaks have caused many very serious accidents, so put safety first.

Petrol power tools

We cannot move your petrol-powered tools for the home or garden unless you completely drain the petrol and oil from the tanks. It pays to clean these tools too, as there is always a risk of dirt contamination if items move around in the truck. We also highly recommend that you clean your tools thoroughly if you’re putting them into storage for the same reason.

Important documents, heirlooms and precious personal items

We can move these items for you, but we prefer that you carry them as they are usually difficult to replace or altogether irreplaceable. Make provision to take these items with you on moving day, regardless of whether you’re moving across town or overseas.

Perishable food

If there is one certainty about moving, it’s that items move around in the truck. We cannot mitigate vibration, bumps in the road, or the motion of the vehicle. So, we always seek to avoid potential problems caused by items moving. We do it partly with careful packing and handling and by loading the truck to minimise movement. And we also do it by excluding items that may not be dangerous but can cause a mess and consequently damage your other possessions. That’s why we only move food that has been dried, canned or is still in a sealed packet.

It doesn’t make good sense to move food anyway, as it adds to the time and cost of moving. You have to pack and unpack it and pay for us to carry it. Eating down your fridge and cupboards is much smarter.



Monday, June 2, 2025

Brigid's First Blog

 


From Brigid

A very unflattering photo taken by Joan of me putting together my first newsflash which I will be doing in her absence when she leaves for her well deserved holiday on 11 June. 

Insurance queries re storage of chattels .  Some shareholders have been asked by their insurance companies for reassurance about the safety of chattels while Conroy is storing them.  Fiona Conroy produced this very good answer, which can be passed on in response to your insurance company:

NZI are our insurance provider for all our warehouses. The Herbert Garden containers are kept inside our warehouse, each container has a unique seal. Access is restricted to Conroy Staff and the warehouse is alarmed outside of business hours and monitored by security.

Damien returns Tuesday!  For what is a short but very busy week. In the morning, he and Brigid will be going to Bunnings to purchase of extra standard lamps, to supplement the lamps that people have kindly loaned for the lighting of our suddenly darkened lift lobbies.

The lighting of the common areas is going well.  As you can see, we need standard lamps for the lift lobbies, but otherwise motion detector wall lights are being put in the hallways that will go dark on Tuesday or are dark already.

Both Brigid and I have seen Otis people.  I was very happy with my talk to an engineer, who is so looking forward to the parts arriving from Shanghai.  As he said, the old lifts have done amazing service, but are well over their use-by date, and I said it was due to good attention from Otis engineers.

Lower garden.  Do take care going down there.  With winter now established, the top lawn is slippery, and the scaffolding makes it quite a feat getting to the path.  Below the path, it might be muddy, but the plants are doing well.

Fumes from the outside window painting.  Susan Webb was the first to notice this, and Gazelle was very informative.  These come from the initial priming of the woodwork.  The coats of paint to follow are water-based acrylic paint, so should not smell strongly at all. In the meantime, a fan was placed overnight in Susan's apartment, to alleviate the problem, which was fixed by the morning.  Thanks to Susan Webb for reporting this, and being so accommodating about the ventilation fix. 

Painters will be working on painting the window frames in these locations on Tuesday 3 June (weather dependent):

 

  • East Elevation (B Apartments, L5 + L6)
  • East Elevation (C Apartments, L5, L6, L7, L8, L9)

The party!!

  I forgot to take photos! (But hopefully someone else memorialised the Welcome Home Party, and will forward the pix to druettjo@gmail.com) ...