Kapiti Roundup

New look for Kāpiti Lights coming soon

Kāpiti Lights is about to get a makeover with work to upgrade the area commencing next week.

The Kāpiti Lights upgrade is a key project in the Council’s town centres transformation programme which aims to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Kāpiti Expressway.

Infrastructure Services Group Manager, Sean Mallon, says Kāpiti Lights holds a unique position in the Paraparaumu town centre with the potential to provide an essential link between the civic precinct and the transport hub.

“Our goal is to see the Paraparaumu town centre become the vibrant heart of the district and the improvements we’re making will make the area more pedestrian friendly which in turn will help create a setting that supports new and existing businesses to thrive.

The Council is working in partnership with Kāpiti Lights property owners and Coastlands to deliver the upgrade. The project will be delivered in three stages and will involve creating welcoming public spaces and laneways with planting, seating areas, new paving and quality lighting to improve the environment and safety.

Chairperson of Kāpiti Lights Body Corporate, Iride McCloy, says the upgrade for Kāpiti Lights has been many years in the making and it’s great to finally see the work getting underway.

“The upgrade will make the area a much more attractive proposition for people wanting to access businesses and services in the area and, in time, it’s anticipated businesses will enjoy an uplift in passing trade,” says Ms McCloy.

The Thomas’s from the Kāpiti Cakes Bakery welcome the move to make the area more pedestrian friendly.

“Providing better connections from the transport hub through the Kāpiti Lights area, Coastlands and out onto Rimu Road will certainly improve foot traffic which is good for business,” Mr Thomas said.

Work to upgrade the Kāpiti Lights area will be carried out in stages over the next six months to minimise disruption. Hours of work will generally be between 7.30am and 5pm on weekdays and Saturdays and Kāpiti Lights businesses will remain open throughout construction.

New group to provide leadership on Kāpiti’s economic future

The Council has established a new group to lead discussion and help bolster the district’s economic performance.

Strategy and Planning Group Manager, Sarah Stevenson, says the Kāpiti Economic Development Leadership Group has been set up to assist the Council to deliver on its Kāpiti District Economic Development Strategy 2015-2018 and help maximise the opportunities the Expressways bring to the district.

“The group, which comprises local experts in economics and sector development, representatives from the Kāpiti Coast Chamber of Commerce and local iwi, will support the Council to foster and enable economic development across the district.”

David Webber, chair of the Kāpiti Coast Economic Development Leadership Group, says the Expressway and the Council’s work to transform and improve the Paraparaumu and Waikanae town centres provide Kāpiti with a rare opportunity to reassess and take charge of its economic future.

“The next few years should provide significant opportunities for growth if we are ready and able to take advantage of the opportunities.

“Improved connections to Wellington, increased job and investment opportunities coupled with a growing number of people and businesses looking to call Kāpiti home provide great stimulus for the district’s economy.”

One of the primary functions of the new leadership group is to monitor the effectiveness of the Council’s Economic Development Strategy 2015-18 and implementation activity and to foster greater engagement and connections with stakeholders. This includes working with communities and the business sector to identify and facilitate economic development, including new investment opportunities.

Mr Webber says any discussion about fostering economic development must take into account the district’s rich economic and social history, protection of the district’s environmental assets and a wide and growing range of community needs and interests.

“Protecting the unique qualities of the region, including the character and diversity of each community, while increasing the vibrancy and diversity of the Kāpiti Coast economy will be a real challenge and we need to ensure that we manage change and harness opportunities in a balanced and sustainable way.”

Members of the leadership group include David Webber (Managing Director of the Economics & Strategy Group Ltd), Heather Hutchings and Liz Koh (Kāpiti Chamber of Commerce), Wendy Huston (Kāpiti Retirement Trust), Alison Harrison (education and health sector strategy consultant), Chris Dyrhberg (ICT sector consultant), David Perks (Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency) and Kāpiti Coast District Councillors Angela Buswell and James Cootes.

Council annual plan submissions close

The submission period for the Kāpiti Coast District Council 2017/18 annual plan and Wellington region Waste Management and Minimisation Plan ended on 1 May with 131 submissions received. Submitters who have asked to speak to the Council about their submissions will address hearings later this month. Councillors will then consider feedback and make final decisions on the annual plan and set rates for the coming year in late June.

Road safety week

Get the child restraints in your car checked out next Thursday! The Council, with The Warehouse and Kāpiti Plunket, are offering free checks as part of road safety week. They’ll be in The Warehouse carpark between 12-3pm. Council officers will also have a presence around schools to check on traffic and pedestrian movements in those areas during the week.

“We’re aiming to raise awareness of road safety which will lead to safer roads and roadsides, safer speeds and safer vehicles,” says Council’s Transport Safety Co-ordinator, Bruce Johnston.

“We’re also encouraging people to make sure they and their families are properly restrained in cars. If you don’t use effective restraints, you’re much more likely to be seriously injured in a crash. People should also make sure heavy objects such as skateboards, scooters and buggies are tied down or put in the boot as they become flying missiles if your vehicle crashes.”

Take part in our library satisfaction survey

It’s time for our annual libraries’ customer satisfaction survey!

The short online survey, launching next Monday, will measure how satisfied people are with library services, spaces and staff.

“We’ll compare results with last year’s survey to identify trends and patterns in customer satisfaction,” says Libraries and Arts Manager, Kat Cuttriss.

“Feedback will also be used to inform library planning and how we shape our services and spaces in the future.”
Access the survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/libraryfeedback2017 by Monday 29 May.

Age on the go expo

More than 600 residents turned up at a recent Waikanae event to find out what there is to do for older people living in Kāpiti.

The ‘Age on the Go’ Expo, opened with a speech from Mayor K Gurunathan, comprised around 40 displays, exhibits and stalls showing what recreational, health and lifestyle opportunities there are for the district’s older population.

“The event went really well. Perhaps the most satisfying thing about it for me were the comments from people who had recently moved to the coast, saying they were excited about how much there is to do here,” Chair of the Older Persons’ Council (OPC), John Hayes, said.
The biennial expo, the 4th to be held in the district, is also run to highlight what the OPC is all about and encourage people to join.

Established as a partnership group that works with the community and the Kāpiti Coast District Council, the OPC provides an independent ‘voice’ for older people in the community. It works to shape ideas and policies that promote positive ageing and advises on issues that concern and affect older people.

Pupil wins bike for Movin’ March!

Kena Kena School pupil Willow Bardsley was presented with a bike today for her participation in Movin’ March, an annual initiative that encourages kids to cycle, walk, scooter or skateboard to school.

“We had 886 entries from six schools in Kāpiti which was a fantastic effort,” says Greater Wellington Regional Council’s School Travel Co-ordinator, Nicky Morrison, who organised the initiative with support from Kāpiti Coast District Council.

“The pupils have to fill in a passport during the month to show how many times they travel to school in an active way. We’re also encouraging them to think more long-term about the kinds of transport they use and hopefully get them to see the benefits of sustainable modes.”

Willow says she was “really pleased” to win the bike.

“I didn’t believe my Dad when he told me I’d won, but when I realised it was true got very excited to be getting a new bike!”

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