11 August 2004

Walk the Wellington faultline with the experts

What better way is there to find out about Wellington City’s main earthquake faultline than to explore it with the experts?

An organised walk on Saturday 28 August will traverse a section of the Wellington Fault – which runs through the city, along the western side of the harbour, and up the Hutt Valley.

Participants will learn first-hand how the faultline has helped shape the city and region, why it is a threat – and what the Wellington City Council and other organisations are doing to prepare for the ‘big one’.

The walk will start in Brooklyn and conclude with a tour of the City Council’s Emergency Management Office in Thorndon.

The three to four-hour expedition will be led by Feeling Great walk guide John Burnett with explanations from Victoria University Earth Sciences lecturer David Kennedy.

“We’ll walk up to the wind turbine then it is downhill all the way as we follow the fault,” Mr Burnett says. “We’ll skirt by the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary and the Botanic Garden and eventually on to the Emergency Management Office.”

Emergency Management Office staff will have lots of tips on the best way to prepare for earthquakes.

The walk is supported by Recreation Wellington – the City Council’s recreation unit. Recreation co-ordinator Andy Nelson says the Feeling Great walk is a fantastic way to get some exercise and learn something about the city on the way.

The walk is limited to 40 people but is likely to be staged again if it proves popular.

Anyone interested should book by phoning 499 1400. If the weather is wet, the walk will be postponed until the same time on Sunday 29 August. Walkers need comfortable shoes, a jacket, and their own refreshments.

The walk will leave from the bus stop at the Brooklyn shops at 10am.

ENDS

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