Party postponed for Y2K workers

There will be no fireworks for the Y2K project team and essential Council service workers this New Year's Eve.

Members of the Council's Y2K project team and representatives from essential Council services will be giving up their New Year's Eve celebrations this year.

They will be working in the Y2K Command Centre, doing their best to ensure the provision of services continues smoothly into 2000.

Project manager John de Zwart is leading from the front and taking the graveyard shift from 5am to 1pm on New Year's Day.

"I don't mind giving up celebrations the night before - it will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for me just being involved," he says.

New Zealand will be one of the first countries to see the dawn of 2000, which puts it in a unique position. As many of the systems used by the Council and other organisations are also used overseas, New Zealand will play an important role in relaying information around the world.

To ensure the Command Centre runs smoothly on the night, the project team is spending an increasing amount of time planning and preparing. This involves several desktop exercises and full- scale dress rehearsals between now and the end of the year.

"The purpose of these exercises is to make sure that the roles and responsibilities of those involved are clearly defined. We will also be training staff so everyone knows exactly what they are doing on the night," says John.

Some of the exercises involve the other organisations who will be communicating with the Command Centre on New Year's Eve.

"We want to make sure everything is tested and our best to ensure the people of Christchurch can relax and enjoy the evening." For information about preparing for 2000, read the Y2K brochure issued by the Y2K Readiness Commission. If you haven't received one, ph. 0800 925 94734 or (04) 474 2601.