Sneak preview for pre-schoolers

Contractor HEB Construction are always happy to host school visits in addition to regular public open days as part of keeping the community informed and involved in the project. But this was the first pre-school to visit.

HEB Community Liaison Manager Russell Obee says as always, safety is the priority.

“It’s great that we can make these visits happen allowing our tamariki to see what’s involved in constructing Wellington’s new 35 million litre reservoir and learn a bit about it.

“We’re extremely well-tuned into the safety aspects, ensuring the site is safe, all the right protocols are in place and everyone is properly briefed.”

PolyHIgh’s visit was arranged for a quiet time on site, during smoko. Russell also arranged for all work to stop in the area while the children were out on site.

Their visit started with a full safety briefing in the site office. Then, kitted out with Hi-Viz, proper footwear and hard hats – ratchetted down to fit four-year-old heads - they went for a wander on a carefully plotted path.

“They got to stand at a safe distance behind the big 300-tonne crane, which towers about 70 metres up into the air. And they got to look down onto the reservoir where they could watch concrete being poured into the base. Then it was back to the site office for chippies.”

PolyHigh Manager Sue Ransfield says the trip was a huge treat and the children had a great time.

“It was an awesome trip. The children were particularly impressed with the huge crane and loved wearing the high viz, safety hats and of course, the chippies. They’ve spent a lot of time talking about the visit with their peers and kaiako.”