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Works Department
Descriptive Data
TypeAgencyDate Range17 April 1972-1990DescriptionIn 1988, the Works Department was described as the group undertaking and controlling building and civil engineering construction in the city. Its carried out the following functions:
- The Design Branch carried out the functions of design and contract supervision of street works, environmental works, airport works, seawalls and landfills/transfer stations.
- The Street Services division administered and inspected trenching and vehicular accesses; processed vehicular access applications; controlled the engineering aspects of subdivisions, testing of roads, streets and the materials used for their construction and maintenance.
- The Cleansing Branch carried out the functions of street cleansing, refuse collection, litter control, restrooms and conveniences and the 'Keep Wellington Beautiful Compaign'.
- The Plumbing and Drainage Branch maintained private drainage records, registered plumbing and drainage permits, processed building applications and provided advice. The Drainage branch was responsible for preparation and maintenance of all records for public sewer and stormwater drains, maintenance and development of the drainage system, maintenance of water quality and protection of properties from flooding.
- Technical Services provided a range of mechanical engineering services required by the community and other Council departments, including purchase and maintenance of vehicle plant, derelict cars, cable cars, processing air conditioning and ventilation permits.
- The Building branch processed building permits and licensed premises, pools, road reserve garages, dangerous goods storage.
- The Structural branch had responsibility for ensuring that city buildings were constructed and maintained to a satisfactory standard and provided structural design services for all Council departments. It carried out structural design of new projects, undertook building permit checking, administered the earthquake risk policy, assessed buildings and provided advice to the public.
- The Health Branch had the role of promoting and protecting public health and safety in the city. It inspected and licensed food and other premises, carried out pest and weed control, inspected housing, accommodation, drainage and water supply , noise control, notifiable diseases, street obstruction and control, health education and training.
There was also an Administration branch for the department. The Department was headed by the City Engineer, with a Deputy City Engineer reporting to him. Four Directors reported to the Deputy City Engineer - Drainage, Building and Structural, Technical Services, Administration, and City Engineer Directors.
In 1990, in response to Local Government and Transport Law Reform a re-organisation was undertaken. In 1991 the Traffic and Transportation Division moved from the Town Planning Department to the Works Department and its director, Steve Spence, became a director in the Works Department. Divisions were set up by infrastructure and included Building Design and Management (incorporating the previous architectural division of the Town Planning Department, which joined the Structural branch in 1989 and under Director, Roger Shand), Civil Engineering (under Director, Roger Lane), Drainage (under Director, Peter Marks), Traffic and Transportation Planning, Technical Services (under Keith Ratcliffe), Water Supply, Reticulation and Storage (contracted out to Wellington Regional Council), Sewage and Drainage, and Administration (under Director, Robin Darling). It was headed by the City Engineer, Neil Fyfe and the new department became known as Cityworks in 1991.
- The Design Branch carried out the functions of design and contract supervision of street works, environmental works, airport works, seawalls and landfills/transfer stations.
- The Street Services division administered and inspected trenching and vehicular accesses; processed vehicular access applications; controlled the engineering aspects of subdivisions, testing of roads, streets and the materials used for their construction and maintenance.
- The Cleansing Branch carried out the functions of street cleansing, refuse collection, litter control, restrooms and conveniences and the 'Keep Wellington Beautiful Compaign'.
- The Plumbing and Drainage Branch maintained private drainage records, registered plumbing and drainage permits, processed building applications and provided advice. The Drainage branch was responsible for preparation and maintenance of all records for public sewer and stormwater drains, maintenance and development of the drainage system, maintenance of water quality and protection of properties from flooding.
- Technical Services provided a range of mechanical engineering services required by the community and other Council departments, including purchase and maintenance of vehicle plant, derelict cars, cable cars, processing air conditioning and ventilation permits.
- The Building branch processed building permits and licensed premises, pools, road reserve garages, dangerous goods storage.
- The Structural branch had responsibility for ensuring that city buildings were constructed and maintained to a satisfactory standard and provided structural design services for all Council departments. It carried out structural design of new projects, undertook building permit checking, administered the earthquake risk policy, assessed buildings and provided advice to the public.
- The Health Branch had the role of promoting and protecting public health and safety in the city. It inspected and licensed food and other premises, carried out pest and weed control, inspected housing, accommodation, drainage and water supply , noise control, notifiable diseases, street obstruction and control, health education and training.
There was also an Administration branch for the department. The Department was headed by the City Engineer, with a Deputy City Engineer reporting to him. Four Directors reported to the Deputy City Engineer - Drainage, Building and Structural, Technical Services, Administration, and City Engineer Directors.
In 1990, in response to Local Government and Transport Law Reform a re-organisation was undertaken. In 1991 the Traffic and Transportation Division moved from the Town Planning Department to the Works Department and its director, Steve Spence, became a director in the Works Department. Divisions were set up by infrastructure and included Building Design and Management (incorporating the previous architectural division of the Town Planning Department, which joined the Structural branch in 1989 and under Director, Roger Shand), Civil Engineering (under Director, Roger Lane), Drainage (under Director, Peter Marks), Traffic and Transportation Planning, Technical Services (under Keith Ratcliffe), Water Supply, Reticulation and Storage (contracted out to Wellington Regional Council), Sewage and Drainage, and Administration (under Director, Robin Darling). It was headed by the City Engineer, Neil Fyfe and the new department became known as Cityworks in 1991.
Series
Controlling Agency or Organisation
Controlling Agency or OrganisationWellington City CouncilControlling Agency or Organisation Date Range1870-
Related Agencies
Predecessor Agency or OrganisationCity Engineer's DepartmentSuccessor Agency or OrganisationCityworks Division
Works Department. Archives Online, accessed 18/02/2025, https://archivesonline.wcc.govt.nz/nodes/view/7836