Kapiti Coast Roundup

Proposed Easter Sunday Trading; Kāpiti economy continues to shine; LED lights for Kāpiti; Recycling zone extension

PROPOSED KĀPITI COAST EASTER SUNDAY TRADING

From Monday 4 September, Kāpiti residents now have the opportunity to be heard about whether Easter Sunday shop trading should be allowed on the Kāpiti Coast.

So that there could be a public conversation on the topic, the Council’s Strategy and Policy Committee yesterday proposed a draft policy for an Easter Sunday shop trading consultation.

Mayor K Gurunathan says if a policy was adopted after consultation, local businesses could make their own decision to open or not on Easter Sunday. Employees have the legal right to refuse to work on Easter Sunday. Certain specified businesses, like dairies, petrol stations, and takeaways, are already able to trade if they wish under the existing legislation.

“This is a really important community debate that is happening all around the country right now. Locally, we are going to see extremely strong views for and against opening businesses on Easter Sunday. It’s really essential that we have this conversation and not shy away from it.”

If a policy is adopted by Council following consultation, Easter Sunday shop trading could come into effect by 2018. If a policy is not adopted, only the few shops currently permitted by law to open would be open.

Further information and advice from central government agencies on trading rules, as well as instructions for how to submit opinions during the public consultation period, are available through the Council website.

Consultation closes on 8 October 2017.

KĀPITI ECONOMY CONTINUES TO SHINE

The Kāpiti Coast economy continues to shine with GDP growth up 4.9% during the June year, 2.3% higher than the Wellington region and 2.1% higher than the national average over the same period.

Figures from the June 2017 Infometrics Quarterly Economic Monitor Report shows a 39% increase in commercial vehicle registrations during the year to June 2017 and the 181% increase in the value of non-residential building consents, a ten year high of $41 million.

Councillor James Cootes says it’s encouraging to see such positive results.

“The data suggests that business confidence is high as we have not seen this level of investment for a decade.

“This is against a backdrop of significant investment on infrastructure, growth in self-employment and retail spend,” said Councillor Cootes.

Data from Marketview shows that electronic card spending on retail purchases grew by 4% over the June year, compared to 3.6% growth nationally, while total guest nights increased by 8% over the same period compared to 3.7% nationally.

Visitors to the district stayed a total of 181,262 nights during the year to June 2017, compared to 167,805 a year ago.

“Kāpiti retailers and accommodation providers continue to benefit from events in the greater Wellington region and investment in infrastructure such as the Mackays to Peka Peka Expressway.

“The results help give confidence to people outside the district who are contemplating bringing their business to Kāpiti,” said Councillor Cootes.

LED LIGHTS TO BRIGHTEN UP KĀPITI

The future looks bright for Kāpiti as the district prepares to switch to the more energy-efficient street lighting.

Approximately 2,000 of the district’s 4,786 street lamps will be replaced with new white light-emitting diode (LED) lights over the next nine months.

Infrastructure Services Group Manager Sean Mallon says the conversion is being made possible as a result of a one-off Government subsidy.

“The NZ Transport Agency will contribute 85 per cent of the estimated $1 million cost to convert to LED lights.

“LED lights are more expensive, but they provide better illumination and draw more than 50 per cent less power.

“They also have a much longer shelf life, around 20 years compared to four to five years for a sodium vapour street lamp, which means they don’t need to be replaced as often and the cost to run and maintain street lighting is reduced.”

LED lights have already been installed in parts of Kāpiti and the Council plans to use the subsidy to complete the balance of Paekākāriki, Ōtaki and Waikanae.

Mr Mallon says people will notice a difference once the LED lights have been installed.

“LED lights omit a crisp white light which can appear much brighter than the dull orange light you get from traditional street lamps. The light spill will also be directed downwards to the road and footpath which will reduce light pollution.”

Subject to funding, Council will replace the remaining yellow sodium vapour street lamps in the district with LED lights over the next three years.

RECYCLING COLLECTION AREA EXTENDED IN TE HORO AND ŌTAKI

Collection zones for kerbside recycling in Te Horo and Ōtaki have been extended.

Licensed operators will now collect materials for recycling from the roads between Ōtaki Gorge Road and Settlement Road east of SH1 in Te Horo, and the loop and side roads from Waitohu Valley Road to Rahui Road via Ringawhati Road in Ōtaki.

Solid Waste Services Manager Glen O’Connor says that the collection zone has been extended to accommodate growth and delivers on the Council’s commitment to reducing the amount of waste to landfill from the district.

“The Council has set itself a target around waste reduction and, as part of this, we regularly review collection zones to accommodate kerbside collection service needs.

Residents in the newly zoned recycling collection area who already contract one of Kapiti’s four kerbside collection service providers to collect their general waste will automatically receive recycling bins or crates from their service provider at no extra cost.

Residents who don’t and would like to have their items for recycling collected are encouraged to contact one of the district’s licensed operators; Enviro Waste, Low Cost Bins, Lucy’s Bins, or Waste Management.

Residents outside the urban collection zone can drop off their recyclables free of charge at one of the three transfer stations in the district, situated on Riverbank Road, Ōtaki, Park Avenue, Waikanae and Otaihanga Rd, Paraparaumu.

Councillor Jackie Elliott is pleased that this service is finally being extended.

“This is good news for residents in the area who can now have their recyclables collected at their front gate.”

For more information, see the Council website at: http://www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/services/A---Z-Council-Services-and-Facilities/Rubbish-and-Recycling/recycling-collection-area-extended-in-te-horo-and-taki/

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