Auckland City Council - City Scene

Port tackles Over weight:
Ports of Auckland is taking the initiative in checking the weight of trucks leaving the port with a full load. In a 'first' a special weight over axle and height warning system will allow drivers leaving the container terminal to check their weight load.

"We are working with the Road Transport Association and police to assist truck drivers and operators to identify over weight and over height loads, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the surface of Auckland¡s roads" says Sandy Gibson, General Manger for Container Handling. "The system is more suitable than a weighbridge, as it only measures the weight over each axle and not the entire truck."

The over height system works from a twin infra red beam that sets off a warning light if any part of the truck is over the maximum allowable height.

OLYMPIC TORCH BEARERS:
In last week's City Scene article "Torch bearers sought for New Zealand" in June 2000, application details were promised. Nominations are open until 30 November and should be sent to the 2000 Olympic Torch Relay Organisers, PO Box 643, Wellington, or by email - www.olympic.org.nz

People who have made a significant contribution to society, performed a major feat, shown extreme generosity and/or made a contribution to the lives of New Zealander's are eligible for nomination.

Housing NZ takes over:
Housing New Zealand has bought 51 residential homes, formerly owned by Auckland City, and guaranteed tenants of the continuity of their agreements.

Under the sale agreement, Housing New Zealand has confirmed its intention to use the properties for public housing purposes. The conditions of sale were designed to ensure tenancies are protected for at least 10 years.

The sale concludes Council's programme of selling residential housing stock. Auckland City will retain in its public housing portfolio eleven houses and 157 units. There are a number of units which are vacant and Council's letting policy is now targeted at those in the low to moderate income range and is asset and income tested.

Applications to rent the vacant units are now being accepted by Council's Property Group. If you are interested contact Tenancy officer Linda Port, Ph 357-1474.

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>