KCDC have missed the boat on Kapiti
>
> Kapiti Coast District Council have missed the boat to save Kapiti Island tourism according to Districtwide
Councillor Jackie Elliott, a former tour guide on the island.
>
> Island tour operators estimated business was down 80% on previous years. Now we have the proof, numbers have
plummeted from 1569 last January to 283 last month, said Councillor Elliott. The dramatic decline began with the
Department of Conservations increase in daily permit charges from 1st Feb 2013 from $11.20 per adult to $29.80.
> DOC changes also saw Kapiti Island removed from the DOC online booking site, and loaded operators with increased
levels of compliance costs and the full cost of supplying guides to carry out DOC bio security checks and introductory
talks.
>
> Councillors Elliott said, when discussing economic growth, I have asked KCDC repeatedly to sit up and take notice
of the decline. "We need to look after our existing tourism assets before investing in new ventures."
> Just prior to Christmas Councillors were told that DOC Kapiti/Poneke Regional Manager Rob Stone was not returning
calls from him or KCDC CEO, Pat Dougherty for an urgent meeting,
> They finally met last week. The Mayor reported, 'DOC are aware of the feedback and there would be a Ministerial
Review in May. '
>
> " We have been fobbed off" says Councillor Elliott, May is the middle of the year and tourism operators would
normally be taking bookings for the 2015 summer season, the continuing delay puts yet another season in jeopardy.
>
> The long awaited $30,000 KCDC gateway report is due out on the 27th of March, however Cr Elliott doubts it will
address the urgent action needed by Council to lobby the minister of conservation to save the local jobs and businesses
at risk by DOC's actions. " The least we can do is suggest they get Kapiti back on the DOC booking website, " says
Councillor Elliott.
ends