TEMPORARY BLOCK WALL UPDATE
Kāpiti Coast District Council will be monitoring a temporary block wall at the south end of Paraparaumu Beach over the weekend.

A 170-metre concrete structure was installed to provide temporary protection for a sewer main serving a number of properties on Wharemauku Road following a significant storm event in Kāpiti in August.

A reasonable portion of the blocks along the central section of the wall have recently rotated towards the sea.

Kāpiti Coast District Council Group Manager Infrastructure Services Sean Mallon says the Council’s staff, contractors and engineering consultations have assessed the situation and found the wall is in no immediate danger of collapsing.

“We are currently planning on doing a further assessment of Monday to determine the extent of any repairs or remedial works required,” he says.

“In the meantime, we’re installing barriers and signage alerting the public to the potential instability of the concrete blocks and restricting access along the reserve area behind the wall.

“We will continue monitoring the situation over the weekend.”

DESIGN OF NEW PAEKĀKĀRIKI SEAWALL PROGRESSING

Paekākāriki residents had an opportunity to see how the design of their new seawall was progressing last Sunday.

The current seawall has been in place for 38 years and no longer effectively protects The Parade behind it, as highlighted by the recent heavy seas that damaged a section of the wall and caused part of the road to crumble away.

Residents, who were consulted over engineering, ecological, amenity and social aspects of the concept design of the new seawall with the community board and a community design group several years ago, were updated on how the detailed design is developing at a meeting with Council staff.

When the detailed design of the new seawall has been finalised and endorsed by the Community Board, a tender will go out for its construction mid-year with works to start several months later.

The seawall, expected to be completed by mid-2019, will be a combination of concrete, timber and rock with a walk/cycleway at the top and upgraded accessways at regular intervals along it.

Deputy Mayor and Ward Councillor for Paekākāriki, Janet Holborow, says having the community so involved in the project has ensured residents’ values have been integrated into the design of the new structure.

“Residents will be able to look at the final detailed design before construction starts later this year and provide feedback on potential public art and planting along the seawall,” she says.

Resource consent for the seawall was granted by the Greater Wellington Regional Council in May 2016.

This project was one of six identified as a priority for the district in the long term plan 2015-35.

ŌTAKI POOL CLOSURE

Ōtaki Pool will be closed next week to undergo a $5.4 million redevelopment.

The pool’s rebuild is one of four key initiatives selected by the Kāpiti Coast District Council and the community for development as part of FutureKāpiti – Long term plan 2015 – 35.

The pool will be closed from Friday 24 February for approximately eight months while work is carried out.

As part of the upgrade the pool hall will be rebuilt with the roof and walls replaced, access into the building will be improved, a ramp added to the main pool and the filtration systems between the toddlers and main pool will be separated.

The reception and entrance will be redesigned to be made more user-friendly, acoustic panelling will be added to the building’s roof to help with noise reduction and fencing around the perimeter of the building will be removed to create easier access to Haruatai Park.

The pool’s changing rooms, plant room and building, and pool tank will remain the same but given a new lease of life with a paint job.

Parks and Recreation Manager Alison Law says staff have been working hard to ensure the regular Ōtaki Pool patrons are taken care of during the closure period.

“We're having a massive fun day at the pool on the Friday 24th February where everyone can swim for free, the inflatables will be going up after school and we're hosting a morning tea for special guests.”

During the closure period Ōtaki residents can swim for free at the Waikanae Pools up until 26 March and the Coastlands Aquatic Centre in Paraparaumu. Swim clubs have also been accommodated and learn to swim fees for Ōtaki residents discounted.

“The pool is an important facility for residents of Ōtaki and the wider community. We’re committed to upgrading the complex and further enhancing the family-friendly facilities available in Ōtaki,” Ms Law says.

The Council is also building a new community-designed splash pad next to the pool for free public use for next summer.

More than 400 people provided feedback through completing online surveys, filling in paper forms at the pool and through face-to-face chats with Kāpiti Coast Aquatics staff.

Ms Law says there was an overwhelming response from the community to first picking a preferred concept design and then what water play equipment they would like.

“We can’t wait to build something that our community has helped design, and it will be ready in time for next summer. The splash pad is going to be a great asset for the local community and for Ōtaki visitors alike.”

What features will be incorporated in the splash pad design will be finalised over the next few weeks.

COASTLANDS AQUATIC CENTRE REOPENING

The Coastlands Aquatic Centre will be reopening next week after a three week closure for maintenance work.

Work on the centre’s main pool has gone well with a hole in the vinyl liner, or ‘Myrtha’, repaired.

The liner underneath the pool’s moveable floor rollers have also been reinforced to prevent the same issue happening again of a roller wheel seizing and tearing a hole in the liner.

While the pool was empty, further improvements were also made, including adding north to south lines on the bottom of the pool to help swimmers.

More than 1.5 million litres of water was drained over 24 hours for the work and it took another 43 hours for the pool to be refilled and a few days for it to be reheated.

The pool has been closed since 3 February for the work and will reopen next week, to be advised on the Council’s website and Facebook.

ŌTAKI MEMORIAL HALL EARTHQUAKE-PRONE STATUS CONFIRMED

A detailed assessment of Ōtaki Memorial Hall has confirmed it is earthquake prone.

This evaluation followed an initial seismic assessment by independent structural engineers, which identified the building on Main Street as potentially earthquake prone.

Signs have been put up on the building to let people know of its status and regular users have been informed.

Being assessed as earthquake-prone does not prevent people from using a building or necessarily mean a building should not be occupied.

Kāpiti Coast District Council is in the process of obtaining more information on the earthquake-prone status of its buildings, including remedial costs.

UPDATE ON RAUMATI ROAD IMPROVEMENTS

Improvements to Raumati Road at the Hillcrest Road/Goldsborough Avenue intersection are in full swing.

Starting last month, the works include installing a new roundabout and pedestrian refuges at each arm of the roundabout, re-aligning Goldsborough Avenue, footpath improvements, and continuation of a shared path for pedestrians and cyclists on the north side of Raumati Road.

With most of the work focused on that side of Raumati Road (i.e. where it intersects with Goldsborough Avenue), pedestrians are advised to use the south side of the road instead. Drivers should also take care when travelling through this area.

Works at the intersection are expected to be completed in June this year. In May, improvements to Raumati Road at the Weka Road triangle are scheduled to start with works at the Matai Road T-junction due to commence a month later.

GET INVOLVED WITH THE MACLEAN PARK REFRESH

The first stage of community input on refreshing Maclean Park is needed by Monday.

Kāpiti Coast District Council is encouraging people who have an interest in the future of Maclean Park in Paraparaumu Beach to provide their ideas by the closing date of 20 February.

Parks and Recreation Manager Alison Law says this is an initial opportunity for people to have their say on the park’s refresh and also the work the Council is doing preparing a plan for Maclean Park’s long-term development.

“As well as needing to update our existing management plan for the park, we also want to ensure Maclean Park meets the changing needs of current and future users,” Ms Law says.

“We’ve been delighted with the number of people who’ve contributed their ideas so far. More than 1000 people participated in our recent Maclean Park Experience event and we collected a huge amount of valuable information.

“About 250 people have responded so far to our questionnaire on the Maclean Park refresh, however, we’re keen to hear from more people.”

Feedback on the park can be given by completing a questionnaire atwww.kapiticoast.govt.nz/maclean-park-refresh, emailing suggestions tomacleanpark@kapiticoast.govt.nz or posting them to Kāpiti Coast District Council, Private Bag 60601, Paraparaumu 5254. Copies of the questionnaire are also available at the Paraparaumu Library and the Council’s Rimu Road service centre.

After 20 February, the Council will prepare development options and a draft management plan for further community consultation

KĀPITI COAST DISTRICT COUNCIL PUBLIC PLACES BYLAW AND TRADING IN PUBLIC PLACES POLICY

Kāpiti Coast District Council is inviting people to provide feedback on its draft 2017 Public Places Bylaw and draft 2017 Trading in Public Places Policy.

Council’s Community Services Group Manager Max Pedersen says people have until 31 March to provide input on the bylaw and policy.

“Our Public Places Bylaw sets out rules that help ensure people’s well-being and enjoyment in our public places while the Trading in Public Places Policy supports the implementation of the Bylaw,” he says.

“The bylaw covers a diverse range of activities including, amongst others, rules controlling trading in public places; the placement of temporary hoardings, posters and notices; temporary events; where street performances and appeals can take place; using or riding a cycle or skating device in these public places; overhanging trees and shrubs; and what’s prohibited in our reserves.”

Mr Pedersen said the Public Places Bylaw is one of several Kāpiti Coast District bylaws providing rules governing what the public can do in the district’s public places – others include the Beach Bylaw and Traffic Bylaw.

People can make a written submission on the draft 2017 Bylaw and draft Policy online at consult.kapiticoast.govt.nz/portal, emailing submissions@kapiticoast.govt.nz or posting their submission to Kāpiti Coast District Council, Private Bag 60601, Paraparaumu 5254. Copies of the Bylaw and Policy and submission form are also available on the Public Places Bylaw page of the Council’s website: www.kapiticoast.govt.nz, and from our District Libraries and Service Centres. Alternatively, you can phone the Council for copies on 04 296 4700 or 0800 486 486.

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