Kapiti Coast Round-Up

LAST CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR SAY ON LONG-TERM FUTURE OF MACLEAN PARK

Locals have four days left to have their say on the future development of Maclean Park, the formal two-month consultation on the Draft Management Plan closing on Tuesday 3 October.

“We’ve had a great response but we still want to hear from more of you,” says Parks and Recreation Manager Alison Law.

“We’ve prepared a Draft Management Plan for the park, and we want to hear from you to find out if we’ve got it right. Kāpiti has grown up with Maclean Park, and we want to sustain and enhance its character and mana for future generations, with forward thinking and great ideas, to create a contemporary destination park the District can be proud of. So it’s important that we hear from you. There have been a range of opportunities for you to contribute your ideas for Maclean Park throughout the project, and now we’re asking you to provide any further feedback you’ve got now that we have the draft ready.

“If you haven’t had your say yet, it’s not too late. Just make sure you do it before close of business on Tuesday. You can provide feedback on any or all aspects of this Draft Management Plan, including the proposed development plan,” says Ms Law.

If you’d like to put in a submission, you can provide feedback by:

• completing the formal online consultation form at www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/maclean-park-refresh

• completing a hard copy submission form, available from local libraries and Council Service Centres.

Submissions close Tuesday 3 October 2017 at 4pm.

The Maclean Park Development Plan wasn’t identified in the FutureKāpiti Long Term Plan 2015-35. This means that budget will need to be allocated to any recommendations that come out of the review process. Further investigation of costs would happen in the detailed design – the focus of this stage is to find out what our community wants Maclean Park to be in the future.

CREATIVE CALL FOR KĀPITI LIGHTS LANEWAY ANSWERED

Kāpiti Lights is getting an artistic enhancement with a new mural set to grace the back walls of 5 Coastlands Parade (opposite Kāpiti Cakes and Bakery). This will complement the newly paved areas and will be established by early November.

Theo Arraj’s proposal, Metamorphic, was the winning concept chosen by the Council’s Public Art Panel from a number of proposals submitted by local and national artists.

Kat Cuttriss, Libraries and Arts Manager, says the Panel was delighted with the diversity of creative ideas proposed and thrilled by the calibre of talent interested in working with the Council to make Kāpiti Lights more vibrant.

“The Panel was impressed with Theo’s concept, which draws on the beauty of a butterfly, symbolising growth and development, to create a shimmering, glowing pattern that will spread across the walls of the laneway.”

Ms Cuttriss says the Panel felt that the complexity of Theo’s design means people regularly walking by will see something new and different every time they pass.

Mr Arraj is a young and emerging local artist. Recently, his murals under the Waikanae rail bridge drew widespread support and interest from locals.

“This mural is the kind of thing I have been encouraging for Kāpiti for years. I know I will do the town I love and cherish justice with this project. Together, we can create more positive memories and experiences for Kāpiti, and continue to stand out as a unique place full of beauty and vibrancy,” he says.

Infrastructure Services Group Manager Sean Mallon says public art has always been a key feature of the Kāpiti Lights improvements.

“Theo’s mural will help take the physical upgrade to the next level. It will improve the vibrancy of the area and will be a focal point for people passing by.”

Work to upgrade the Coastlands Parade laneway is progressing well, with most of the pavers laid, planting going in over the next few weeks and lighting to be installed once everything else is completed. Work to create a public space outside the dental health centre by the Coastlands car park is also advancing, with further paving, planting and seating planned over the next few weeks.

The Council is working in partnership with Coastlands and Kāpiti Lights businesses to deliver the upgrade. For more information visit:www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/town-centres.

SPARK PLUGS ON THE KĀPITI COAST

Electric Vehicle (EV) users can now park and charge their cars at the Greater Wellington Regional Council carpark in Waikanae as a result of Spark and the Kāpiti Coast District Council partnering to bring the first Spark Plug EV charger to the district in a region-wide programme.

The Spark Plug comes as part of a nationwide initiative adding EV chargers to existing Spark phone boxes, which have been an iconic piece of New Zealand culture for decades. More are planned to be installed across Wellington City and in Kāpiti after the Waikanae Park n Ride EV charger is trialled. The new chargers will be free for anyone to use for the first 12 months.

Kāpiti Coast Mayor K Gurunathan says that the Council is pleased to support the development of public charging infrastructure to help more people make the transition to EVs.

“Not only will this reduce carbon emissions, it will make it easier for EV owners, both residents and visitors, to enjoy the fabulous Kāpiti Coast. Personally, I’m looking forward to trading-in my hybrid car for a full-electric one in the near future.”

These chargers will provide a top-up of 20-40 kilometres from a 60-minute charge, depending on the car. The boost will give EV drivers the confidence to go further, combating the fear that a person won’t be able to reach or return from a destination – a leading obstacle to widespread EV use.

Spark Ventures CEO Ed Hyde says that the initial pilot in Auckland has been such a success that he is excited to partner with the Kāpiti Coast District Council in delivering more EV chargers to New Zealanders. Spark is committed to building the necessary infrastructure to help lower our carbon footprint.

“Partnering with the Kāpiti Coast District Council allows us to deliver Spark Plugs to help make Kāpiti accessible and user-friendly for EV drivers.”

Media contact for more information – Charmead Schella on 04 296 4648 or 027 555 7648 | charmead.schella@kapiticoast.govt.nz

ETIQUETTE REMINDER FOR OUR DISTRICT’S SHARED PATHS

Kāpiti Coast District Council has recently completed several new sections of shared pathway between the Expressway and Raumati Beach Village as part of its Stride ‘n’ Ride Kāpiti Coast initiative, so now is a great time to remind people of the etiquette associated with these paths.

Council Infrastructure Services Group Manager Sean Mallon says Stride ‘n’ Ride Kāpiti Coast aims to make it safer and easier to walk and cycle around the district.

“The initiative is delivering a $5 million package of shared path improvements between Paekākāriki and Waikanae that enhances connections to and from our town centres and the Mackays to Peka Peka Cycleway, Walkway and Bridleway,” says Mr Mallon.

While the shared paths are designed to easily accommodate pedestrians, cyclists, and people using mobility scooters, wheelchairs and electric bikes under 300 watts, there are some basic rules and courtesies that people should observe to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all users.

The most obvious of these is to pay attention to all signage and take note of any restrictions in place. Others include:

• keep to the left and try not to hold anyone up by blocking the path. Move to the side of the path if you stop to take in the surroundings or have conversations

• pass others with care

• if you have a dog, know which shared paths dogs are allowed on and when dogs must be on a leash (be familiar with dog control zones/access zones/bylaw)

If you’re a cyclist, you should also:

• let pedestrians know you are approaching with a friendly bell and politely call out which side you’re going to pass them on

• cycle and pass with care at a speed that doesn’t put other users at risk

• pass on the right when possible, unless the pedestrians are on the right in which case pass them in the safest way you see fit

• allow a one metre gap when passing other users

• look out for traffic going in and out of driveways often drivers may not expect traffic on the path at intersections, stop and look before you proceed

• where there are traffic lights use the pedestrian signalled crossings, otherwise give way to motor vehicles

• if you’re using an e-bike, when passing others change to the lowest power setting and reduce your speed to walking pace.

For more information on Stride ‘n’ Ride Kāpiti Coast, visit kapiticoast.govt.nz/Your-Council/Projects/Getting-around-Kapiti.

Media contact for more information – Caleb Brown on 04 296 4518 or 027 555 6518 | caleb.brown@kapiticoast.govt.nz

RAUMATI SOUTH VILLAGE GETS A NEW PEDESTRIAN CROSSING

Work is expected to commence next week to establish a raised pedestrian crossing on Poplar Avenue outside the Raumati Social Club and Gatsby Tapas.

Infrastructure Services Group Manager Sean Mallon says the raised pedestrian crossing will replace the existing zebra crossing and will help create a slow zone through the Raumati South Village.

“This work is being done in conjunction with reviewing the speed limit in this area and forms part of a series of safety improvements and traffic calming measures that are being implemented on Poplar Avenue.”

Traffic management will be in place at all times and people moving through or visiting the Raumati South Village are encouraged to extra care around the construction site. During this time there will be a temporary pedestrian crossing established slightly to the east to allow the next crossing to be constructed

Work to establish the crossing is expected to take approximately four weeks.

Media contact for more information – Caleb Brown on 04 296 4518 or 027 555 6518 | caleb.brown@kapiticoast.govt.nz

AR HUNT FOR MAHI THE MOA

Ever wanted to see a moa walk through a library?

This school holidays it’s going to be possible thanks to an exciting new augmented reality (AR) venture between Kāpiti Coast District Libraries, Wellington City Libraries, and local tech start-up ScimitAR. Collectively they will bring an extra dimension to life in the Paraparaumu, Waikanae and Ōtaki Libraries, using AR.

ScimitAR is a group of enthusiastic developers participating in Te Papa’s incubator programme, Mahuki. They have developed an AR application that Kāpiti District and Wellington City Libraries will make available for free to all customers as a “ScavengAR Hunt” during the upcoming October school holidays.

Customers can use Android devices to ‘scavenge’ their way around the library’s spaces and collections, completing AR challenges as they go. A limited number of Android phones will be provided on loan at each library, to ensure everyone can participate in the fun. After completing all challenges, customers will receive a special AR-enabled bookmark that brings Mahi the Moa, a unique AR character, to life on phones and tablets.

Kat Cuttriss, Kāpiti Coast District Libraries Manager, sees the application as a great way to use technology to show existing library customers new ways of discovering and interacting with library collections and spaces.

“It’s also a fun way to attract new library customers to explore what we have to offer”, says Ms Cuttriss.

“And this fantastic technology, made right here in the Wellington region, provides us with a wonderful opportunity to partner with other regional libraries. Working together and sharing resources are great ways of incorporating new technologies and fun customer experiences into our full suite of library services.”

The ScimitAR team are excited to be working with local libraries.

“Our goal when we joined the Mahuki programme was to help bring the collections of galleries, museums and libraries to life,” CEO Eli Tucker says.

“It’s great to see it happening in local libraries.”

To find out more about the app, Mahi the Moa, and this Kāpiti Coast District and Wellington City Libraries initiative, call into your local branch library.

The “ScavengAR Hunt” will run at the Paraparaumu, Waikanae and Ōtaki libraries during the second week of the October school holidays (9th – 13th October).

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