COMMUNITY ENGAGED ON SH1 RENAMING

More than 100 people have put forward suggestions for renaming the existing State Highway 1 (SH1).

Mayor K Gurunathan says it’s great to see people taking an active interest in the Council’s SH1 renaming conversation.

“People’s feedback has been mixed. Many want to see Main Road, Main Road South and Main Road North retained. Some have expressed a view there should only be one name for the entire stretch of road, while others see this as a unique opportunity to give sections of State Highway 1 names that reflect the district’s rich cultural and social history.”

Within two years of the Mackays to Peka Peka section of the Kāpiti Expressway opening, the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) will hand over responsibility for SH1 to the Kāpiti Coast District Council and it will become a fit-for-purpose local road. As part of this hand-over process, the existing SH1will lose its classification as a state highway which means it can no longer be called a state highway for address and identification purposes.

The Council is inviting the Kāpiti Coast community to have their say on name options for the existing SH1 up until 14 April 2017.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to shape our local character and I urge everyone on the Kāpiti Coast to participate in the Council-led process to name the road,” the Mayor says.

The names suggested by the community will be put into the mix alongside names put forward by representatives/historians from the district’s three iwi and a Council-nominated local historian.

The Mayor says all suggestions will be considered with the final decision made by full Council before responsibility for the road is transferred from the NZTA to the Council.

To have your say on name options for the existing SH1:

• talk to your community board

• email SH1nameyourroad@kapiticoast.govt.nz

• complete the form on the back of the Council’s Renaming SH1 information leaflet which is available at all Kāpiti Coast District libraries and service centres and on the Council’s website at kapiticoast.govt.nz/SH1-renaming

FREE DESEXING FOR MENACING DOGS IN KĀPITI

Subsidised desexing and microchipping of dogs with a menacing classification is being offered by the Kāpiti Coast District Council.

The initiative is part of the Government’s national strategy to reduce the risk and harm of dog attacks. Environmental Standards Manager Jacquie Muir says it’s a good opportunity for owners of menacing dogs to have their pets neutered or spayed for a nominal fee.

“We’re contacting owners of known menacing dogs in the district to advise them on how to be part of the initiative and also encouraging owners of dogs that are not on our database to take advantage of the opportunity,” she says.

“Desexing and microchipping our pets is all part of ensuring the welfare and responsible ownership of animals. It also benefits the wider community by reducing the number of roaming and aggressive dogs, as well as the spread of canine disease.”

The Council’s animal management team works with Kāpiti dog owners about dog safety, risk minimisation, housing, fencing and safe exercise.

“We have an ongoing focus on education and risk prevention with animals and this desexing programme is another part of that service for dog owners and our wider community,” Ms Muir says.

The Council is able to offer desexing at a reduced cost as a result of its successful application to the Government’s funding pool of $850,000 for local authorities to implement neutering programmes. Last year, Associate Local Government Minister Louise Upston announced the national plan to reduce the risk of dog attacks.

Dogs can be classed as menacing if they are seen as, or are reported to be, posing a threat to people, stock, poultry, domestic animals or wildlife.

There are also five breeds of dogs automatically classed as menacing – the Brazilian Fila, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, Perro de Presa Canario and the Pit Bull type.

Dog owners who wish to take advantage of this offer should contact the Council to confirm eligibility of their dog for neutering and microchipping under the programme.

CONNECT WITH YOUR NEIGHBOURS NEXT WEEKEND!

Reach out to those who live near you for ‘Neighbours’ Day’ weekend next Saturday and Sunday (March 25/26)!

‘Neighbours’ Day’ encourages people to get to know their neighbours better which strengthens feelings of belonging, creates happier, healthier and safer communities, and builds resilience in times of need.

“Whether you’re interested in baking, sharing garden produce or just having a cup of tea, this is a great opportunity to connect with your neighbours,” Mayor K Gurunathan says.

“It doesn’t really matter what our neighbourly actions are - it could be as simple as knocking on someone’s door to say ‘hi’, but every little thing we do to connect with those around us helps us get to know each other better.”

‘Neighbours’ Day’ Aotearoa is a national campaign with events and promotions happening all around the country with the aim of turning strangers into neighbours and streets into neighbourhoods.

BETTER CONNECTION FOR CYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIANS BETWEEN PARAPARAUMU BEACH AND TOWN CENTRE

A new 2.5 metre wide shared path on the south side of Kāpiti Road between Magrath Avenue and the Airport Control Tower will make it easier to walk and cycle between Paraparaumu town centre and the beach.

Group Manager Infrastructure Services Sean Mallon says the newly completed section of shared path on Kāpiti Road will provide better off-road cycling connections between Paraparaumu Beach and Rimu Road, and to and from the Mackays to Peka Peka Cycleway, Walkway and Bridleway.

“This is part of a series of improvements the Council is making to Kāpiti Road to ensure people can move freely between the Paraparaumu Beach area and the town centre on foot, by bike or mobility scooter.

Mr Mallon says the new 600-metre section of shared path, which follows the recently completed section of shared path on Kāpiti Road between Arawhata Road and Ngahina Street, will be extended east towards the beach in the next financial year where space allows.

The shared path improvements have been delivered through Stride ‘n’ Ride Kāpiti Coast – a three-way investment from Council, the Urban Cycleways Fund and the National Land Transport Fund (both funds administered by the NZ Transport Agency).

Shared paths can be used by a variety of users and are wider than the standard 1.5m-wide footpath. All users must use shared pathways fairly and safely and need to be considerate of others.

For more information about the Council’s work to make it safer and easier to walk and cycle around Kāpiti, visit www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/stridenride

Photo caption: Members of the Kāpiti Coast District Council’s Cycleway, Walkway and Bridleway Advisory Group inspect the recently completed shared path on Kapiti Road. Pictured from left to right: Jan Nisbet, Stuart Kilmister - Kāpiti Coast District Council CWB Programme Manager, Feriel Falconer and Sue Emirali.

COMMUNITY BOARD ENDORSES WAIKANAE BEACH COMMUNITY’S VISION AND ACTION PLAN

The Waikanae Community Board endorsed the local community’s vision and action plan for Waikanae Beach at their meeting at the Waikanae Boating Club on Tuesday night.

Kāpiti Coast District Council Strategy and Planning Group Manager, Sarah Stevenson, says after 18 months of extensive community participation, the Waikanae Beach community presented its plan for the area to the Waikanae Community Board for endorsement.

“This was the culmination of a tremendous amount of interest and hard work by the Waikanae Beach community.”

In September 2015, with the construction of the Kāpiti Expressway and other new developments proposed for Waikanae Beach, the community saw an opportunity to be proactive and state what it wants for the future of the area.

Aware of the changes other communities around the country that are located near new expressway interchanges have experienced, the Waikanae Beach community sought the Council’s help.

Ms Stevenson said the Council agreed to help support the Waikanae Beach community to shape its vision for the future.

“We have done this with other communities on the Kāpiti Coast and the time was right to do this with Waikanae Beach, so the information can be used to help inform our planning and influence future development of the area.”

Kate Morgan, member of the Waikanae Beach Community Futures working group, says it’s been a highly collaborative process.

“Good faith has been shown by residents and the Council throughout this process. The Council ran two incredibly well attended drop-in sessions at Waikanae Beach in September 2015 to identify what the community’s concerns and interests were, as well as what kind of process might be helpful.

“From there a working group made up of local residents was formed and, supported by council staff, met seven times between April and July 2016 to use feedback from the drop-in sessions to develop a community vision and action plan for Waikanae Beach,” Ms Morgan said.

The Waikanae Community Board’s endorsement of ‘Our Future Waikanae Beach’ on Tuesday night recognises the unique local character of the area.

Ms Morgan said the process had been an amazing opportunity for the Waikanae Beach community, providing many opportunities to contribute and to get to know other locals.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how the document generates positive discussion in future, and how it guides the Community Board and the Council’s interactions with our community.”

Ms Stevenson said ‘Our Future Waikanae Beach’ will inform council planning and service provision and a draft plan change.

“The Waikanae Beach vision and action plan looks at what local residents want for their area. It covers the community’s built and natural environments, shared spaces, character and history, and building community resilience among other things – all of which will feed into our planning processes.”

For more information about ‘Our Future Waikanae Beach’, view the Council’s webpage: kapiticoast.govt.nz/Waikanae-beach

COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES APPOINTED TO GRANTS ALLOCATION COMMITTEE

Community representatives have been appointed to the Grants Allocation Committee (GAC) which makes decisions on how funding should be allocated from five grants programmes.

Paula Archibald, Mary-Jane Duffy and Jill Stansfield will sit on the GAC to give their feedback on funding allocations for Creative Communities New Zealand along with Heidi Stone representing the Youth Council.

John Hayes and Janet Murray will advise on funding allocations for the Community Grants Scheme.

The community representatives join GAC Chair Councillor David Scott, Deputy Chair Councillor Mark Benton and members Mayor K Gurunathan and Deputy Mayor Janet Holborow who look at how funds are allocated for all five grants programmes (the other three being Districtwide Hall Hire Remissions, the Heritage Fund and the Waste Levy Fund).

The GAC meets twice a year to assess applications and allocate funds for Creative Communities New Zealand (this year on 6 April and 24 August) and annually for the Community Grants Scheme (7 September 2017).

PLANS TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THE EXPRESSWAY BRINGS ON DISPLAY

Kāpiti Coast District Council is inviting the community to visit their pop-up display space at 3 Mahara Place in Waikanae 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 these opportunities.

“This includes work to transform the Waikanae and Paraparaumu town centres and make the existing State Highway 1 a fit-for-purpose local road.”

Members of the Council team will be onsite from 21 to 25 March, 11am to 1pm each day, to hear what people think and respond to questions.

“We’re keen to talk to the community about our plans and for people to get involved in the work of the Council,” Ms Stevenson says.

FEEDBACK ON COUNCIL’S PUBLIC PLACES BYLAW AND TRADING IN PUBLIC PLACES POLICY REVIEW CLOSE THIS MONTH

Feedback on the Kāpiti Coast District Council’s draft 2017 Public Places Bylaw and draft 2017 Trading in Public Places Policy is due by the end of the month.

People have until 31 March to provide input on the bylaw and policy. The bylaw sets out rules that help ensure people’s well-being and enjoyment in our public places, while the policy supports the implementation of the bylaw.

The bylaw covers a diverse range of activities including, among others, rules controlling trading in public places; the placement of temporary hoardings, posters and notices; temporary events; where street performances and appeals can take place; using or riding a bicycle or skating device in these public places; overhanging trees and shrubs; and what’s prohibited in our reserves.

The Public Places Bylaw is one of several Kāpiti Coast District bylaws providing rules governing what the public can do in the district’s public places – others include the Beach Bylaw and Traffic Bylaw.

People can make a written submission on the draft 2017 bylaw and draft policy online atwww.consult.kapiticoast.govt.nz/portal, by email to submissions@kapiticoast.govt.nz or by post to Kāpiti Coast District Council, Private Bag 60601, Paraparaumu 5254. Copies of the bylaw, policy and submission form are also available at www.kapiticoast.govt.nz, and from district libraries and service centres.

Alternatively, you can phone the Council for copies on 04 296 4700 or 0800 486 486.

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