Dogs in Togs and More

Council monitoring Waikanae Lagoon, sharing plans to take advantage of Expressway opportunities, Community can have say on playground upgrades, Come experience Otaraua Park, Dogs in togs and more ...

COUNCIL MONITORING WAIKANAE LAGOON FOR TOXIC ALGAE
Kāpiti Coast District Council is advising people to keep their dogs on leashes if heading near Waimanu Lagoon in Waikanae this weekend due to the potential presence of a toxic algae.

The Council has tested an algae growth, thought to be a blue-green algae, at the lagoon and will be able to confirm after the weekend whether it is toxic or not.

The algae has been spotted around the edge of the lagoon and Council staff has a sample in for testing.

As a precaution, people are advised if they are taking their dogs for a walk in the area to please make sure it is on a leash.

Signage has been put up at the site advising people using the walking track around the lagoon.
What to look out for:

In lakes and slow flowing waters, cyanobacteria algae grow in a free floating (also called planktonic) form, which can cause the water to become murky or cloudy.
Free floating cyanobacterial blooms are generally green in colour and can give lakes a ‘pea soup’ appearance. Free floating cyanobacteria can also form films or scums on the water’s surface, especially at the water’s edge.

More information about toxic algae can be found at www.gw.govt.nz/toxic-algae

KĀPITI COAST DEPUTY MAYOR APPOINTED TO LGNZ ADVISORY GROUP

Kāpiti Coast Deputy Mayor Janet Holborow has been appointed to the Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) Policy Advisory Group.

The advisory group will provide advice to National Council on policy matters relating to the economic, environmental, social, and cultural well-being of New Zealand and its communities.

Cr Holborow has 9 years’ experience in local government, she has been the chair of a community board, ward councillor and is now deputy mayor of the Kāpiti Coast.
“It’ll be great to be able sit around the table with other elected members from councils, large and small, district and regional, and experts from all around the country to help decide on the future direction of local Government in New Zealand,” she says.

She is also a member of the Paekākāriki Community Board, the Operations and Finance Committee, Strategy and Policy Committee, Grants Allocation Committee, Chief Executive Performance and Employment Committee and Campe Estate Subcommittee.
Cr Holborow also works with the Kāpiti Coast Older Persons' Council, Kāpiti Youth Council, the Mahara Gallery Trust and Mahara Gallery Upgrade Project Steering Group.

Mayor K Gurunathan says it’s great to see Cr Holborow’s skills and experience being recognised through the LGNZ appointment.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the Kāpiti Coast to influence important conversations at a larger level and to also keep our finger on the pulse with what is happening nationally.”

COUNCIL SHARES PLANS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EXPRESSWAY OPPORTUNITIES

Kāpiti Coast District Council is inviting the community to visit their stand in Coastlands next week to find out more about its work to make the most of the opportunities the Expressway brings to the district.
Group Manager Strategy and Planning Sarah Stevenson says the Council has a programme of work underway that aims to take advantage of the opportunities created by the Expressway.

“Our stand in Coastlands describes what we are planning and what we’ve been doing. This includes work to transform the Paraparaumu and Waikanae town centres and make the existing State Highway 1 a fit-for-purpose local road.”

Members of the Council team will be onsite at Coastlands from 11am to 1pm each day from 14 to 18 March to hear what people think and respond to questions.

“We’re keen to talk to the community about its plans and for people to get involved in the work of the Council,” Ms Stevenson says.
If you can’t make it to Coastlands next week, the Council will have material on display in Mahara Place, Waikanae from 21 to 25 March.

Alternatively, information is available on the Council’s website www.kapiticoast.govt.nz

COMMUNITY CAN HAVE SAY ON PLAYGROUND UPGRADES

Kāpiti kids and those young at heart are been called on to give feedback about what they would like to see at their neighbourhood playgrounds.

Kāpiti Coast District Council is undertaking its regular renewal programme for playgrounds in Kāpiti and will be upgrading Tennis Court Road in Raumati South, Weka Park in Raumati Beach, Marere Avenue in Paraparaumu, Hookway Grove in Paraparaumu and Waikanae North in Waikanae in 2017/18.

Parks and Recreation Manager Alison Law says there is a number of ways the Council will be working with the community on the playground upgrades to find out what equipment they would like to see, including distributing survey fliers, running online surveys and hosting playground tours in the next few weeks.

“We aim to create playgrounds that are accessible, fun, varied and cater for a wide range of abilities and our goal is to design interesting playgrounds that meet the needs of both children and their caregivers,” she says.

“There’s lots of ways for our community to get involved and we’re hosting a playground tour where people can drop in and talk with us, enjoy a free sausage sizzle, and tell us what they’d like to see at each playground.”

The playground tours are at:

• Tennis Court Road on Monday 20 March, 10am and Thursday 23 March, 3.30pm

• Weka Park on Wednesday 22 March, 10am and Friday 24 March, 3.30pm

• Marere Avenue on Monday 20 March, 3.30pm and Thursday 23 March, 10am

• Hookway Grove on Tuesday 21 March, 10am and Wednesday 22 March, 3.30pm

• Waikanae North on Tuesday 21 March, 3.30pm and Friday 24 March, 10am

The online survey can be found at www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/playgrounds or people can reach the Council team by emailingplaygrounds@kapiticoast.govt.nz, with feedback required by 31 March 2017.

“Once all the information has been collated we’ll provide a summary to the community that’ll outline what we’ve heard and the most popular equipment for each playground,” Ms Law says.

“When the final design is confirmed with the contractors we’ll be able to give a further update later in the year about when and what exciting developments will be happening at our playgrounds.”

COUNCIL INVITES KĀPITI RESIDENTS TO EXPERIENCE OTARAUA PARK

Kāpiti residents have a chance to check out the newest park in the district next week.

Kāpiti Coast District Council is inviting the community to the Otaraua Park Experience between 1 and 5pm on Sunday 19 March.

Parks and Recreation Manager Alison Law says the Council is encouraging people to enjoy an afternoon of family-friendly activities and share their ideas for the future development of Otaraua Park.

“As the district’s newest park, Otaraua Park will be unfamiliar to many people in the community. We already have a management plan, but we need a plan for Otaraua Park’s long-term development so it meets the needs of all users and we need the community’s help to do this,” she says.

A plan for Otaraua Park is identified as a key activity in the first three years of the Council’s FutureKāpiti Long term plan 2015-35.

“We’re taking this opportunity to introduce people to the park. It covers an extensive area and has the potential to provide for the enjoyment of a wide range of recreational and sporting opportunities, as well as having areas for preservation and restoration.”

Ms Law says it’s important people get a feeling for the park and its potential so they can share their ideas for its future development.

“For most people, a bit of a drive or cycle ride to get to the park is involved, so we’re encouraging them to come along on the 19th and enjoy live music, food and activities when they get there. With the Beat Girls playing – it should be a lively afternoon.”

The Otaraua Park Experience is one of a range of opportunities for people to share their ideas for the future development of the park.

More information is available on the Council’s website at www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/otaraua-park

DOGS IN TOGS COMING TO KĀPITI

Kāpiti canines will be able to cool off at Waikanae Pool next week for the first ever Dogs in Togs summer swim event on the coast.

Kāpiti Coast Aquatics is hosting the inuagural in Togs at Waikanae Pool on Sunday 26 March from 2pm to 5.30pm.
The first hour and half, from 2pm to 3.30pm, is for smaller dogs and large dogs are welcomed from 3.45pm to 5.30pm.
Kāpiti Coast District Council’s Parks and Recreation Manager Alison Law says the swim will be monitored by lifeguards and animal management officers will be on hand to help too.

“Waikanae Pool will have closed to humans for the season so it’s the perfect opportunity to invite Kāpiti pooches for a paddle before the pool is drained and cleaned,” she says.

“While it's a good way to end the summer season at the pool, we are reminding owners to act responsibly, bring their leads and poo bags to clean up after dogs and ensure their dogs are under their direct control at all times.”

Only Council-registered dogs are able to attend, bookings are essential as spaces are limited and entry is a gold coin donation with proceeds going to the SPCA.

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