Over the past year over 1500 people, businesses and organisations have shared their ideas on the future of Maclean Park, and today, the Kāpiti Coast District Council adopted the Maclean Park Management Plan, which outlines a range of possibilities for the park’s long-term development.

Mayor K Gurunathan says he’s confident the plan and the decision to adopt it reflect the ideas and thoughts of a wide range of our community members.

“Maclean Park is a much-loved community asset and we’ve heard from so many people who are passionate about its future. We’ve considered the views of our local iwi as treaty partners, business owners in the area, the Kāpiti Boating Club, Coastguard Kāpiti Coast, the Kāpiti Underwater Club, park users and the wider community, and we feel this Management Plan captures their diverse needs and allows for improvements to the park's main attractions over the next 10-20 years.”

The Maclean Park Development Plan wasn’t identified in the FutureKāpiti Long Term Plan 2015-35. This means budget for any development activities will need to be explored as part of the long term plan process. There may also be opportunities to explore outside funding.

“There are a lot of really worthy projects across our District, however in order to keep costs down we can’t do them all,” said the Mayor.

“We need to take a long term and pragmatic view on how we meet the needs of our communities not just for the next three years, but for the next 20 to 30. So through the long term planning process we’ll be looking at how we can deliver on our commitment to spend less and pay back more debt, while at the same time working with Council staff to develop an achievable programme of activity for developing Maclean Park.”

Paraparaumu/Raumati Community Board Chair Jonny Best would like to thank the community and the submitters for their input to the process.

“There have been a range of opportunities for people to contribute their ideas and we’d like to thank everyone who took the time and made the effort to get involved, particularly the submitters in the most recent stages who helped us refine the plan.

“Kāpiti has grown up with Maclean Park, and this plan will help us sustain and enhance its character and mana for future generations. It’s captured some great ideas and over time we’ll be able to create a contemporary destination park the District can be proud of,” Mr Best said.

Media contact for more information – Cindy Bangs on 04 296 4630 or 027 555 5630 | cindy.bangs@kapiticoast.govt.nz

Kāpiti is doing a great job of weathering the current dry spell. While other parts of the Wellington region are having to impose significant water restrictions there is no looming water shortage in Kāpiti.

Water and Wastewater Asset Manager Martyn Cole says water consumption has reduced more than 26 percent since water meters were introduced in July 2014, which means our supply is in good health.

“We are also lucky that Waikanae, Paraparaumu and Raumati have an alternative water source to fall back on if river levels get too low.

“If this happens, the River Recharge Scheme will top up the river below where we take our water at the Waikanae Water Treatment Plant with groundwater from bores, so it doesn’t enter our water supply,” Mr Cole said.

Media contact for more information – Susan Owens on 04 296 4676 or 027 555 5676 | susan.owens@kapiticoast.govt.nz

The Kāpiti Coast District Council is inviting the community to help shape a review of the Council’s Dog Control Bylaw and Policy.

The Council will be running a formal consultation process earlier next year but before it develops the consultation document it wants to hear from the community about what areas of the current Dog Control Bylaw and Policy are working well and what areas could be improved.

Environmental Standards Manager Jacquie Muir says that with more than 7500 dogs registered in the Kāpiti Coast District it is important we have a fit-for-purpose policy and bylaw that meets our community’s needs.

“We know that people hold strong opinions about dogs in the community and the rules that oversee responsible ownership.”

“We want to hear those opinions, and we’re inviting the community to participate in a short survey to help us to make informed and balanced decisions about how we manage dogs in our District.

The current Dog Control Bylaw and Policy provides for the control of dogs by classifying dangerous and menacing dogs, limiting the number of dogs that can be living on a residential property, allocating areas for dog exercise parks, and specifying on and off leash areas and areas where dogs are not permitted. The Bylaw also outlines the expectations of dog owners when their dog poos on public land.

“We recognise that dogs are a very important part of many people’s families, and we want our community to be a safe, comfortable and inclusive place for both dogs and people ,” said Ms Muir.

“The results from the survey will help inform future policy decisions about dog control on the Kāpiti Coast.”

The Council’s Animal Management team will be out and about over the next few months encouraging people to complete the survey. Copies of the survey can be picked up from Council libraries and service centres or completed online via the Council’s website:

www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/dog-bylaw

© Scoop Media