Kapiti Coast Roundup

COUNCIL MEMBERS OF REGIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE BOARD REQUEST LEAKED GOVERNMENT REPORT

Newly appointed members of the regional climate change board, Kāpiti Coast District Council Mayor K Gurunathan and Deputy Mayor Janet Holborow, say they will have plenty to sink their teeth into once they get hold of the yet-to-be released government climate change report that was leaked to media earlier this week.

The group is the result of a detailed report, ‘Climate Change and Variability – Wellington Region’, prepared by NIWA for Greater Wellington Regional Council. The report is the most comprehensive climate change document to be researched and published in New Zealand.

Mayor K Gurunathan and Deputy Mayor Janet Holborow were appointed to the group by the Strategy and Policy Committee to represent Kāpiti’s interests.

NIWA finds that sea level rise is expected to impact coastal communities and bring up to 15% more winter rainfall with extreme rain events to the Kāpiti Coast by 2090.

“There’s no single council in this country that can manage this adaptation strategy by itself – together, a working group can share ideas, policies, and strategies. The information that we’ve now got through the NIWA report will help us to inform a risk analysis.”

Mayor Gurunathan says that the collaboration of the working group guided by NIWA’s recent report, along with the leaked government report, will be a game-changer in future proofing Kāpiti’s stormwater and coastal management planning.

“We need the science for the planners to be able to come and make correct decisions. We need help in this as we’re all involved and invested, and I look forward to receiving my copy of the report.”

The regional climate change working group is expected to start meeting regularly effective next month.

HEALTH CHECK FOR KĀPITI STORMWATER STORAGE PONDS

The Kāpiti Coast District Council is carrying out a survey of stormwater storage ponds in the district to identify their cleaning needs.

Infrastructure Services Group Manager Sean Mallon says there are more than 100 stormwater storage ponds in the district, a large majority of these are privately owned.

“If the ponds aren’t cleaned regularly they can cause problems in flooding events.”

The results of the survey will be shared with pond owners along with guidance on how to keep their stormwater storage ponds clean. The Council does not maintain privately-owned stormwater storage ponds.

“This winter has been one of the wettest on record and many residents have struggled to cope with the unprecedented amount of rain.

“Just like household drains and soak pits it is important that owners of stormwater storage ponds take appropriate steps to keep their ponds clean and free of debris,” said Mr Mallon.

HOUSEHOLD WASTE UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

The Kāpiti Coast District Council is conducting a survey to gain a better understanding of what types of household waste people are putting in their rubbish bags and wheelie bins for collection each week.

From Monday 11 to Friday 15 September Waste Not Consulting will be collecting samples of solid waste from rubbish bins and wheelie bins put out for collection by the district’s residents.

Solid waste dropped off at the Ōtaki and Otaihanga transfer stations will also be surveyed during the same week.

Solid Waste Manager Glen O’Connor says ensuring the effective management of solid waste in the district is one of the Council’s core tasks.

“To do this effectively we need to have a good handle on what types of waste our residents are disposing of in bags, wheelie bins and at the transfer stations.

“The information gathered will help inform Council recycling initiatives and education programmes to help reduce household waste,” said Mr O’Connor.

Bags and wheelie bins selected for sampling will be chosen at random and the survey will be completely anonymous.

KĀPITI YOUTH THRIVE WITH ZEAL

One full-time manager, three part-time coordinators, and a combined 4000 volunteer hours later show that this has been a busy year for Zeal Kāpiti.

A host of programmes designed for local creative Kiwi youths to get involved, stay engaged, and learn skills increased over the past year, emphasising collaboration within the Kāpiti District. Zeal engaged with 31 community leaders and organisations and supported 19 community events.

Kāpiti Coast Councillor and Zeal Kāpiti Committee chair James Cootes says that the level of interest from local college students is indicative that the programme is both necessary and
effective.

”I’ve been very impressed with the work Zeal does in our community. It creates pathways connected through creativity from the schools back to the centre. It’s a place where young people can go to express themselves, feel safe, and be valued in a group of their peers.”

Zeal’s youth centre has been approved for an extensive renovation that will realise a long term vision of an equipped home base for the youth development programme in Paraparaumu. Zeal’s centre should be completed by mid-2018.

ends

© Scoop Media