Kapiti Roundup

WE’RE HELPING KĀPITI GET TSUNAMI READY

Over the next few months, the Kāpiti Coast District Council is teaming up with Red Cross, Volunteer Kāpiti and other community groups to help Kāpiti get tsunami ready. The November 2017 Kaikoura earthquake raised concerns about tsunami awareness and preparedness in Kāpiti and nationally.

Group Manager Corporate Services Wayne Maxwell says that it’s important to work together as a community to protect ourselves and be prepared.

“In Kāpiti there are over 8000 properties sitting in tsunami evacuation zones, and over 20,000 people living in those zones. We know from tsunami overseas that it’s important not to get complacent and that planning can save lives, so we want to help people get better prepared,” says Mr Maxwell.

“Research we carried out in February 2017 shows that around 20% of people in a zone don’t know they are. So if you’re in a tsunami evacuation zone you can expect a knock on the door during the weekend in the coming months, starting this Sunday. It’ll be our Council reps and volunteers dropping by to hand over some detailed information about tsunami – the warning signs, and what to do and where to go if one hits the Coast. We’ll start in Waikanae then work our way around Kāpiti to spread the word about what you can do to prepare your household. And if you’re not there we’ll pop the info in your letterbox,” says Mr Maxwell.

The Council will also host drop-in info sessions in each community to answer any questions and have a community conversation about warning systems in Kāpiti.

“We know that there was confusion after the November earthquake within our community around whether or not people living in evacuation zones should evacuate, and that some were concerned about the absence of tsunami warning sirens,” says Mr Maxwell.

“These sessions are a chance for the community to come and talk to us about what’s in place, and the pros and cons of different options we could consider in the future.”

More information will be available on the Kāpiti Coast website from early next week.

• Media contact for more information – Cindy Bangs on 04 296 4630 or 027 555 5630.

NEW SIGNS CLARIFY BOAT LAUNCHING AREAS ON PARAPARAUMU BEACH

The Council has put up new signs at Paraparaumu Beach in an effort to stop people driving in prohibited zones.

The signs have been placed at the boat launching area of the beach to make it clearer that people should avoid driving there unless launching or retrieving a boat. More signs are planned for beaches in the rest of the district.

“This action is part of our campaign to educate the public about where they can and can’t drive on the beach and follows an increase in complaints about people driving in prohibited areas putting the safety of other beach users at risk,” says Council’s Environmental Standards Manager Jacquie Muir.

“We’ve also carried out joint patrols with the Police during the summer months to educate people about where they are and aren’t permitted to drive, and done a lot of awareness-raising through our Facebook page, e-newsletter, website and via the media.”

“We plan to continue our campaign with more patrols next summer when our beaches are highly populated and more education of beach safety through a range of channels,” Ms Muir says.

The Council does not have delegated authority to enforce illegal driving on beaches. If Council officers see people offending, they talk to them about the rules in the Beach Bylaw i.e. where they are allowed to drive on the beach and where pedestrian access points are. If they offend again, the officers report them to the Police who take action as they see appropriate.

However Senior Sergeant Kāpiti Police, Chanel Chapman, says driving on beaches where prohibited is a community problem and one that can’t be resolved without help from the public.

“Beaches are community spaces and we all need to take personal responsibility to keep them safe, as well as make sure our friends and family don’t drive where they shouldn’t.”

She also encourages anyone who sees a person driving on the beach where they are not permitted to report the offence to Police or Council. This includes information such as car registration, time, date and - if not jeopardising personal safety - photos.

“We’re only talking about a few sections of our coastline where driving is prohibited unless boats are being launched or retrieved. The rule is there because those areas of the beach are used by a lot of pedestrians, swimmers and boaties. There are plenty of access points where people can park their vehicle and walk a short way onto the beach,” she says.

Maps showing accessibility points and driving zones on the beach, along with more information about vehicles on beaches, are atwww.kapiticoast.govt.nz/beach-safety

• Media contact for more information - Claire Harman on 04 296 4648 or 027 555 4648

COUNCIL EVENING FOR BUILDING OWNERS A SUCCESS [picture attached]

The Council this week hosted commercial building owners at an information and feedback event, as part of a series of events for regular users of regulatory services.

Nearly 40 commercial building owners heard an overview of building owner obligations and the Council’s role in the compliance process, plus common issues and things to consider when making changes to buildings or their usage.

Following these brief introductions, building owners were able to catch up with staff and get answers to questions across the range of topics.

Group Manager Regulatory Services Kevin Currie was delighted with the turnout and the evening, which provided a chance for building owners to talk with some of the Council staff they deal with.

“We’re always keen to hear how we can improve our service, and events like this are a great opportunity to get feedback as well as share useful information with our regular customers,” says Currie.

Other events coming up soon include one for property developers and another for architects and designers.

• Media contact for more information - Raewyn Pudsey on 04 296 4877

POPLAR AVENUE FOOTPATH UPGRADE UNDERWAY

Work to upgrade the footpath on the north side of Poplar Avenue between Matai Road and Glen Road is underway. The project involves removing the existing footpath and replacing it with a new 2.5 metre shared path.

Infrastructure Services Group Manager Sean Mallon says the upgrade aims to provide a safe and consistent shared pathway for people travelling to and between the Raumati South Village, the Mackays to Peka Peka Cycleway, Walkway and Bridleway and the Te Awa o Whareroa Cycleway in Queen Elizabeth Park.

Work to deliver the new shared path is expected to take around two to three months, weather permitting. Traffic management is in place to ensure motorists, pedestrians and cyclists can travel safely alongside the worksite.

The Poplar Avenue footpath upgrade forms part of a package of shared path improvements the Council is delivering through its Stride ‘n’ Ride Kāpiti Coast initiative to make it safer and easier to walk and cycle around Kāpiti.

For more information about Stride ‘n’ Ride Kāpiti Coast visit www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/stridenride

• Media contact for more information - Susan Owens on 04 296 4676 or 027 555 5676.

GOOD TURNOUT FOR FREE CHILD RESTRAINT CHECKS

Forty people took advantage of the Council's joint initiative with The Warehouse and Kāpiti Plunket last Thursday to have the child restraints in their cars checked out as part of Road Safety Week.

“We had a great response and checked 26 forward-facing child restraints and 14 rear-facing baby capsules,” says Bruce Johnston, Council’s Transport Safety Co-ordinator.

“It’s heartening to see people wanting to make sure their restraints are properly installed, as they can save lives in a crash.”

Next Thursday, a mechanic will be at Kāpiti Plunket on Amohia Street, Paraparaumu between 9am to 12.30pm to fit anchor bolts on child restraints along with two child restraint technicians who will be there to carry out general checks. There will also be a free BBQ.

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