Kapiti Round-Up

MORE SHORT-TERM CAR PARKS FOR WAIKANAE

Changes to car parking in the Waikanae town centre next month will make it easier for people to park and access businesses and services located in the area.

From Monday 11 September a mix of 30, 120 and 240 minute and eight hour time restrictions will apply to car parks in the Waikanae town centre.

Infrastructure Services Group Manager Sean Mallon says the time allocations will help address overstay issues associated with commuter parking and a general lack of parking spaces in the Waikanae town centre.

“Commuter parking is available in the recently opened Greater Wellington Regional Council Park & Ride.”

The changes are being put in place in response to community feedback received through the Council’s Waikanae town centre transformation project and have been endorsed by the Waikanae Community Board.

Waikanae Community Board Chair Jocelyn Prvanov says the lack of parking spaces in the town centre has been an issue for some time.

“Making provision for more short-term car parks will make it easier for people who want to shop, eat or access services in the area to find a park.”

Signage will be in place and Council compliance officers will maintain a regular presence in the Waikanae town centre to help motorists comply with the new time allocations. Time restrictions will not apply on public holidays.

It will be an offence under the Kāpiti Coast District Council Traffic Bylaw for any person to exceed the time restrictions from 11 September 2017.

Media contact for more information – Susan Owens on 04 296 4676 or 027 555 5676

COUNCIL TAKING ECO-FRIENDLY APPROACH TO BUILDING BRIDGES

Two aging bridges at Kaitawa Reserve are about to get a well-needed makeover, and Council is taking a new approach by using a product that’s made from recycled plastic bags.

Parks and Recreation Manager Alison Law says both bridges are being revamped and Council will be using Enduroplank, a product that ticks all the boxes while being environmentally friendly.

“This is the first time we’ve used a product like this and we’re excited because the end result will be easier to maintain, has better slip resistance, a longer life span and also helps with the war on waste.”

Ms Law says locals can expect work to start soon, and both bridges to be finished this financial year.

“Work on the first bridge will kick off on Monday 4 September. We’ll do them one at a time, with the bridge closest to the Scout Hall up first. We expect the first bridge revamp works to take around a month and while we’re working locals won’t have access to the bridge and will need to use the road instead.”

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

WET WEATHER CREATING CHALLENGES AROUND THE DISTRICT

This winter is turning out to be one of the wettest on record and the rainfall on Kāpiti Coast has made a lot of people’s outlooks and properties soggy.

According to the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) Annual Climate Survey 2016, Kāpiti’s yearly rainfall is well above the average for the region. The survey covers precipitation from 2016-2017 and has recorded that the Kāpiti Coast has had between 120-149% above normally recorded rainfall this year, logging 1806mm so far compared to 1104mm last year.

Infrastructure Services Group Manager Sean Mallon says that increased incidents of ground ponding, poor soakage, and saturated sports fields and private properties are compounded by heavy rainfall.

From 1 March to 30 June 2017, Council received 138 service requests related to stormwater and flooding, up 85 requests from the same period the previous year.

“It’s been an unusually wet winter. It’s one of the highest on record and many residents have struggled to cope with the unprecedented amount of rain.

“While our teams have been busy responding to calls, making sure that our stormwater drains are clear of debris, changing weather patterns will continue to be a challenge.”

ends

© Scoop Media