STORMS AND UPDATES

 

Storms.

Let's face it, the weather has been ghastly of late.  It's easy to understand why the ancients worshipped the sun. The storms have certainly buffeted the building, and for a while I thought the gales were ripping the Aoraki banners to ribbons.  Gazelle has informed me, though, that the banners are deliberately ripped, so that the wind can blow through.  A day is made more interesting when one learns something as interesting as this!

The extremely stormy weather has also meant that there has been some dampness in the northern face.  Every effort is being made to fix this, but meantime, if rain is impending, those with north-facing walls should pull furniture away from the windows, to save that new carpet from staining.

Bathrooms

Those moving into their reclaimed apartments have discovered a new kind of ventilation vent.  This leads into the riser, which is still under remediation.  In the meantime, there is a freezing draft plus showers that get very steamy.  I am assured that once the fans and cowl are installed and the fans are operational, this will be fixed.  So, as is routine these days, patience and understanding are needed.

Dryers

Could residents from levels 13 to 5 please let Damien know urgently if they want their old vented dryers kept. Those who live on lower levels need to let him know by January.  We are running out of storage space, and would love to be able to dispose of them, probably to charity.  Some people want to donate their vented dryers to family, and if so, could they do this as soon as possible please.

Fuseboards

Some people who have had their old fuseboards replaced with new ones have neglected to pay their greatly overdue bills.  Please, people, you know who you are, and please do this soon.  

Skips

You will have noticed that skips have been arriving regularly, replacing those that are filled with excess plastic packaging material as well as much else.  This will keep on happening as long as needed.

Security

The security of the construction site is very much under threat.  Consequently, Aoraki is forced to take security measures.  Floodlighting will be set up (not facing Herbert Gardens windows, but focused on the site), and Aoraki will have their own security camera system set up.  Meantime, if those whose windows overlook the site or the residents' driveway happen to see suspicious movement in the wee hours, could they please phone 111 and inform the police. There will be a good response, as the police are aware of the situation.

GOOD NEWS AND WHITEWARE

 

Wild weather

It really has been something.  Today (Wednesday) is a short break in the general nastiness.  Tomorrow there is a red warning for life-threatening winds.  Don't go out unless necessary.

The good news, however, is that with this recent wicked storm there have been no reports of leaks.  It was a massive test, and it looks very hopeful that the building passed it.  Crossed fingers it stays that way.

Whiteware

Damien has now enough orders for heat pump dryers and front loading washing machines to pass it through to commercial Noel Leeming and command those good prices. Once the list has been actioned, invoices will be sent to individuals as the whiteware is delivered. As has happened so far, Damien will organise Capital Plumbing to connect the machines to the appropriate inlets and outlets.

If you prefer to choose and buy a washing machine and/or a heat pump dryer yourself, you are welcome to do so.

Security

There is a lot of valuable equipment and various gear on the construction site.  If you should happen to see suspicious activity in the night, do please phone 111 and ask for the police. They know the situation.

Marketing photography

You may notice something very exciting if and when the wind dies down.  The marketing department of Aoraki is keen make film of Herbert Gardens replete with scaffolding and Aoraki banners.  So you may see a drone circling around.  It will be operated, most probably, from the other side of the motorway. 

Another call out for fire trucks

 

If you burn the toast ...

Our upgraded fire system is great.  The fire stairs are so much better lit that I can negotiate them even with my poor eyesight.  The voice that urges residents to find the nearest fire exit is mellifluous.  The sirens are compelling without being deafening.  I did notice that they don't sound over the bottom three levels, but Gazelle assures me that it is because the new system has not yet been installed on those floors.  The old alarms are still there, but not nearly as loud as they used to be.

There are several new smoke detectors in the remediated apartments.  They are very sensitive, and can be set off by steam as well as smoke. So, what do you do if you burn the toast?  Near your front door there is a button like the one pictured above.  The message "fire alarm silence" is rather enigmatic when what it really means is that it turns off the sound of the smoke alarm when pressed.  At this stage it is useful to have someone else in the apartment to open the windows and let the smoke or steam out while you are silencing the alarm.  Opening the apartment door is not recommended, as this will let the smoke or steam into the hallway, which will set off the actual fire alarm.

And, if there is a real fire in your apartment, pressing the button will not work. The heat detectors, which are also installed in the remediated apartments, will set off the real fire alarms, and that tuneful voice will urge you to vacate your apartment and head down the fire stairs to the emergency point outside the front of the building.

Take a coat, or warm dressing gown at night, something to cover your head, essential meds, and your phone.  And don't forget the tab to put on the emergency board when you arrive downstairs.  And please leave your apartment door unlocked, so that if necessary the firefighters don't have to smash it down.

Hanging pictures and mirrors in C apartments

This is courtesy of Mike Underhill, who lives in 11C. Normally, as he says, when putting up a hook or bolt for hanging a picture, a DIY person taps the wall to find a stud for good attachment.  On the southern walls of C apartments, this will not work.  There are no wooden studs.  Instead, there are steel soldiers.  So you have to make a strong attachment in the gib wall between the soldiers. For this you use a rawlplug, or a wall anchor.  The anchor is even better, as the bottom splays out on the other side of the wall, creating a fixing point that is much, much stronger than a hook or a screw.

Actually, rawlplugs and wall anchors could be used anywhere, and not just on walls that do not have wooden studs.

Restoration of light fittings

People may notice that light fittings have not been replaced in their remediated apartments.  This is a matter that should really be discussed with Rachel.  As I understand the situation, some fittings can't be returned as they are contaminated with ACM from the old asbestos that has been removed from the ceiling. Otherwise, if the fittings are clean, and are being restored in the old places exactly as originally found, Aoraki will do this.  If the fittings are being put in new places, or are new fittings, this is shareholder responsibility, and the lights will have to be installed by a proper electrician.

But, as I said, when in doubt consult with Rachel, who is the go-to person for everything about your remediated apartment.

 

BITS AND PIECES

 

It's all go at Herbert Gardens

People moving in and people moving out.  Level 3 is being packed up and decanted of cartons and furniture, and level 9 handover is coming up soon, with level 8 moving in by month's end.

As I have pointed out before, it is desirable that residents should be in the apartments as the goods are moved in, so the Conroy movers can be told what to put where.  This is not always possible, but definitely a good thing if it can be managed.

Residents have to empty cartons themselves.  Then comes the problem of what to do with the cartons.  Please do not break them down. (Damien will be in charge of this.)  They can be temporarily stored in the lift lobby, but please do it tidily. It is best that they are piled securely one on top of another. The reason?  Health and Safety.  A corridor must be kept for easy access, which is hugely important if there should happen to be a fire alarm. The cartons will be taken away, many of them to be reused for the packing of apartments on lower floors, others to be broken down.

Fuse boards. If you have received an invoice from KC, please pay it promptly if you haven't paid it already.  The gap about the perimeter of the fuse board will be filled in by our plasterer, Lido.

Light fittings. These have not been replaced by Aoraki.  They are all stored, and Damien would like to be informed by individual residents if they want them kept or not. Unwanted light fittings will go onto the next charity truck.

Dryers. As you know, vented dryers are not possible now, because of fire regulations. They have all been stored, and Damien would like to be told whether they are go be kept (for family members, perhaps) or donated to some charity. And a reminder to let Damien know what you would like to buy in the way of a replacement, so he can put in the bulk order to Commercial Noel Leeming, and get that very favourable price.

John Nicholson, who is here working on apartment 10A, wants to remind everyone that HG is a work site, and everyone should be super careful. Keep an eye out for moving trucks!  The highest scaffolding is scheduled to start coming down later this month, so there will be plenty of those trucks.

THE EARTHQUAKE REVIEW

 

Clivia in our garden.

It looks so beautiful I couldn't resist posting a picture.  Damien has sprayed the garden path so that it is weed free and the clivia is blooming. Take a walk and have a look, and admire the bottom garden, too.  It is full of colour.

That Earthquake Review

As many of you will have seen in the news, the Government has issued a statement of proposed changes to the earthquake-prone building system. The aim is to make it fairer and less expensive and disruptive. Once is becomes legislation (probably next year) building owners will see a lot of easing in what has proved to be a difficult and unweildy process. It will reinvigorate communities and ease the stress for many building owners. Not only will it save many buildings, but it will make them saleable.

As the Honourable Chris Penk observed, "While well intentioned, the current system for assessing and managing seismic risk places an overwhelming burden on building owners...

"Cities and regions are losing the businesses, churches, town halls and classrooms that are central to their local economies and community spirit.

"On top of this, apartment and small business owners who cannot afford the fixes demanded by the current laws have faced years of stress and sleepless nights, as their most valuable asset has become unsaleable through no fault of their own."

And so he went on to announce "a fairer, risk-based system that will bring enormous relief ... while keeping Kiwis safe."

So, what does it mean for us?

Buildings over three storeys high that are made of concrete and are in an area of high seismic risk (like Wellington) will still be within the system. Well, Herbert Gardens is a tall concrete structure, so remediation is still required. Once the legislation is passed, the rule that fire safety must be included in the fix will be removed, but that is too late for us.  And anyway, it is reassuring that Herbert Gardens will be well within the fire code when the job is done. 

What is promising is a clause within the Government release. The assessment of our building will be different.  Instead of being tied to the New Building Code, Herbert Gardens will be judged "making use of new engineering methodologies, based on location and building type." That the building is under remediation is a very good sign.  Though only time can tell, when Herbert Gardens is reassessed that should certainly be taken into account, helping the way to a good result.

Obviously, many questions will be asked, and maybe some changes in the proposal made. The overwhelming feeling, however, is that we, the shareholders, made an excellent decision to get the Project going, one that was very well timed. 

Our historic tree

On a lighter note, I received a fun message from Sally Schoon, complete with the picture above.

Hello Joan
On Tuesday the arborist with his laptop was here using some very cool science on our gateway elm - the elm being theirs not ours, setting up for sonic tomography, where sound waves map a tree's internal structure. So I photographed him behind the tree and  showing the gear with its blue sensors positioned around the tree base.
Hope you'll like it
Sally