Snippets From Kapiti Coast

Major earthworks at the slip-prone Blue Bluff on Ōtaki Gorge Road have begun.

Work will restore road access to private property and popular recreational facilities within the Tararua Forest Park, including Ōtaki Gorge.

Council contractors have started work setting up access tracks and removing vegetation - which is some of the preliminary groundwork into the mammoth task of clearing more than 45,000m3 of debris and slip material.

Work may take up to three months to complete and has an estimated price tag of $500,000 - almost half of which will be covered by a contribution from the NZ Transport Agency’s emergency works fund.

Council is reminding people it is still important, for their own safety, to stay away from the slip site.

More information can be found at www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/otaki-gorge-road

Great vibes at Kāpiti Youth Festival
More than a thousand people turned up to enjoy the Kāpiti Youth Festival at Maclean Park, Paraparaumu on Saturday.

“It was humming,” says Mayor Ross Church. “It was great to see so many young people enjoying themselves with all that was going on – the skate comp and beach soccer, the variety of stalls and the live performances. Whitireia was also there promoting all the courses it has to offer. It was just a great day – really vibrant and the weather was superb.”

At the skate competition, spectators were enthralled with plenty of jumps and spectacular moves from the participants.

“It was fun giving it a go,” says Scott Bolland (17). “There was a great vibe around the park, lots on and a nice amount of people. The music sounded awesome.”

In the evening, the movie ‘Grease’ was rolled out on a huge screen with about 150 people watching.

Paekākāriki Escarpment opening

Elected members from two councils were on hand for the opening of the escarpment walking track between Paekākāriki and Pukerua Bay as part of the Te Araroa trail.

Kāpiti Mayor Ross Church and Porirua Mayor Nick Leggett performed the opening at the weekend and a number of councillors were also there to do plantings to mark the occasion.

The event, which underlines the value our local people and visitors put on the walkways and cycleways in Kāpiti, was a great success with about 800 people taking part in the walk.

The Te Araroa Trail Trust thanked both Kāpiti Coast District Council and Porirua City Council at the event.

Playground inspections

Council will be conducting an independent safety review of its playground this week.

As a result of recent amendments to playground safety standards, council is auditing its 48 playgrounds spanning from Paekākāriki to Ōtaki.

An external auditor will be inspecting all council-owned and operated playgrounds throughout the district from Thursday [14 April] onwards.

While council does regular inspections of the district’s playgrounds, this higher-level audit will identify any possible long-term structural problems, changes in Standard compliance and design practice as well as risk assessments.
Please note, the playground inspections are separate to the current community feedback opportunity that council is coordinating around five playground upgrades in Paraparaumu and Ōtaki.

Maintenance work at Paraparaumu Domain – pictures attached
Council is doing some work on the pavers near Paraparaumu Domain.

The concrete pavers in front of the war memorial on the corner of Aorangi and Tutanekai streets are being cleaned, cured and sealed.

This is all regular scheduled maintenance ensuring this spot remains in good condition.

There are barriers in place to prevent people walking where the work is happening, however this shouldn’t hinder pedestrian access in the area too much.

Join the Kāpiti Arts Trail

Applications for the 2016 Kāpiti Arts Trail on 29/30 October and 5/6 November open this Friday!

The event will give you the opportunity to showcase your work and meet the public, as:

• a studio artist, or

• part of an artist-managed hub, or

• an established gallery, arts society or guild.

Apply online at kapiticoast.govt.nz/apply-arts-trail by Monday 16 May, 5pm.

Free 30-minute sessions to help with applications are available at Paraparaumu Library on 19 April, 9am-12pm & 20 April, 1-4pm. Bookings are essential via artstrail@kapiticoast.govt.nz

OR advertise your studio or gallery in the 2016/17 Kāpiti Arts Guide even if you are not exhibiting at this year’s Kāpiti Arts Trail. Apply online at kapiticoast.govt.nz/apply-arts-guide from 15 April (deadline 16 May).

Queries to artstrail@kapiticoast.govt.nz

Kāpiti civic and community awards
Want to recognise someone who has worked tirelessly for the welfare of others? Or a group that has put in hours of volunteer work to help make Kāpiti a great place to work? Nominate them for an award!

Council and Wellington Community Trust, with Wellington Airport, work together to honour the efforts made by our residents with Civic Awards.

To nominate someone, go to www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/civic-awards

Wellington Airport Community Awards, run by Wellington Airport and Wellington Community Trust, honour the achievements of a group or organisation in our district.

Go to: wellingtonairport.co.nz/community-awards for a nomination form and criteria.

Nominations must be received by Tuesday 31 May.

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