Playground feedback and drop-in sessions

Council is seeking community feedback on five Kāpiti playgrounds that are scheduled to be upgraded this year.

Staff will be stationed at playgrounds in Paraparaumu and Ōtaki in the first week of April capturing views on the play spaces.

This work is part of council’s regular playground renewal programme for when equipment nears the end of its design life and is due for replacement.

Council staff will be at the following playgrounds at these times:

• Haruatai Park, Ōtaki

o 4 April, 10am

o 5 April, 3.30pm

• Te Ātiawa Park, Paraparaumu

o 4 April, 3.30pm

o 5 April, 10am

• Kaitawa Reserve, Paraparaumu

o 6 April, 3.30pm

o 7 April, 10am

• Tasman Road, Ōtaki Beach

o 6 April, 10am

o 7 April, 3.30pm

• Aorangi Road, Paraparaumu

o 8 April, 10am and 3.30pm

People can find out further information or can complete a survey online atkapiticoast.govt.nz/playgrounds

Paraparaumu Escarpment
The construction component of the Paraparaumu Escarpment slip mitigation project is due to be completed this week.
Council has been working with a contractor to build seven wooden debris retention fences at an approximate length of 170 metres.

There are three fences on the Epiha Street to Panorama Drive track and the other four on the lower track near the rail corridor.

Council is carefully managing the active area along the escarpment, and although slips can’t be stopped from occurring, the top priorities are protecting public safety and ensuring the availability of the rail corridor.

Work to date includes extensive earthworks, track clearing and hyrdroseeding.

Further stormwater mitigation measures are being investigated and plantings of more than 2,500 natives is scheduled for later this year.

Ōtaki Tree Pruning

Electra has informed Council a strip of trees in Ōtaki needs to be trimmed for safety reasons.

A five kilometre, or 5000-metre, stretch of trees on Ōtaki Gorge Road are encroaching on the overhead power supply and need to be pruned in accordance with Electricity Regulations.

Council has looked at the affected berm trees along the Totara Tunnel and has discussed and agreed with Electra about the work, which is scheduled for this week.

Parks and Recreation Manager Alison Law says Council recognises the trees significantly contribute to the beautification of the area, but they do need to be cut back for safety reasons.

However the trees are able to be pruned in a way that allows them to continue growing safely and clear of the lines.

Go By Bike Day school competition winners announced

Paekākāriki School had an impressive number of pupils get behind the handle bars for this year's Go By Bike Day.

68% of the roll, which is more than 160 children, biked to school for the national cycling event on 10 February.

Te Ra Waldorf School was second with 53% and Kapanui School had 50%.

Council’s Transport Safety Coordinator Bruce Johnston says any opportunity for our kids to be active on their way to school - be it biking, scooting or walking - is a positive.

Paekākāriki School received a $300 Rebel Sport voucher in recognition of their efforts.

Road sealing
Council will be doing another round of road sealing in Kāpiti this week as part of its regular resurfacing schedule.
Asphalting and chip sealing jobs are pencilled in for Paraparaumu and Waikanae, depending on the weather.

Streets set to be worked on this week are Hinemoa Rd, Kebbell Dr, Ruapehu St, Kaitawa Reserve, Nikau Palm Rd and Mahaki Rd.

There may be some minor traffic delays, but the balance of this year's resurfacing will be completed soon.

For more information please visit www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/roads

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