Kāpiti Town Centres Need Greater Focus

Kāpiti, Thursday 20 June 2019 - The five town centres which make up the Kāpiti Coast need more support if they’re to flourish and grow, with Transmission Gully due to open next year and the Peka Peka to Otaki Expressway in 2021. 

More than 100 local businesses attended the Kāpiti Coast Chamber of Commerce’s annual business briefing at Southwards last night for an economic update on the region.  Speakers included the Kāpiti Coast District Council and local economist, Mike Copeland. 

Heather Hutchings, Chair of the Kāpiti Coast Chamber of Commerce, says work by Mike Copeland, which considers the impact of new roading projects on towns in Kāpiti, has highlighted the need to support businesses in town centres.  

“Paekakariki, Raumati, Paraparaumu, Waikanae and Otaki will all soon be bypassed when the new roads open up. While the Council is investing heavily in Waikanae and Paraparaumu town centres, we believe more needs to be done to ensure businesses in towns either side are also supported.  

“Early economic data has identified a short-term increase in local spending, but once these roading projects are finished, the extra workers leave Kāpiti and visitors can drive straight past our towns we will need to give people a reason to visit towns they would have otherwise called into,” says Heather Hutchings. 

Mike Copeland has provided economic analysis on a number of local roading projects, including Transmission Gully.  He says there is a risk the businesses between town centres will be affected.  

“There are a number of businesses between town centres - in places like Te Horo and Peka Peka.  The Expressway will take people past them through to the north of Otaki. Whilst retail businesses within the town centres are likely to continue to principally rely on local residents and visitors staying one or more nights, retail businesses outside of these centres that are reliant on the passing motorised trade may suffer,” says Mike Copeland. 

Heather Hutchings says the future of town centres will form part of the Chamber’s Local Election Manifesto for the 2019 Local Government Elections.  

“We’ve identified key areas we would like Mayoral and Councillors to address, including investment in infrastructure, being ‘Open for Business’, and ensuring the future viability of town centres.  Small businesses, like those found in town centres, are the backbone of our economy and contribute to local communities and their character. The Chamber will continue to support these business owners and advocate on their behalf,” says Heather Hutchings.  

The Kāpiti Coast Chamber of Commerce exists to advance the economy by creating wealth and employment and solve local business issues by providing a collective voice for business in Kāpiti. Over 300 members in Kāpiti belong to the Kāpiti Coast Chamber of Commerce to stay connected, network and gain knowledge and support from our local membership.

ENDS

Community Acupuncture - Every Saturday with Waikanae Acupuncture Clinic

Community Acupuncture enables people to come and find out all about the health benefits of Acupuncture as well as get a treatment at a community rate of just $20 for the hour.

You will be with a group of people sitting in a room learning about Acupuncture and getting treatment for your particular needs. This is a highly recommended way to get introduced to natural chinese medicine which has over 2000 years of development and success.

Every Saturday morning from 10am to 11am

There is room for up to ten patients so please book be emailing jason@acutohealth.co.nz

Sarah Frater teaches fruit tree pest management at community garden party

Photo is of Matai Community Garden party from 24 March.

Codling moth in your apples? Leaf curl on your peaches? A rare chance to workshop with fruit tree master Sarah Frater is coming up on 28 April in Raumati South, as part of Kāpiti Coast District Council’s community garden parties programme. 

Sarah will be at MOA community orchard for a free workshop that includes pest and disease management. MOA community orchard provides a chance to examine which trees are doing best in local sandy conditions, and discuss common issues. Sarah will look at seasonal pruning, which rootstocks are best for various soil types and locations, which varieties of tree make compatible pollinators, and which types do best in local conditions.  

Sarah supplied most of the trees for the Jeep Rd orchard that was first planted in 2011. The orchard is now coming to fruition with good crops of plums, peaches, and apples. But pests like codling moth and pear slug are an ongoing issue, says orchard co-ordinator Cree Hatfield.  

“There’s been a lot of codling moth in the orchard, so we’ll certainly be asking Sarah about how to manage that. We’re thrilled for this chance to benefit from Sarah’s wisdom gained over decades of working with fruit trees, without having to travel to her Edible Gardens Nursery near Palmerston North.” 

Watering has also proved an issue with establishing the trees, especially in dry summers. The orchard group will be on hand to share waterwise techniques like deep pipe watering, creating mulch pockets, and providing effective shelter. 

The workshop is part of the Council’s Community Garden Parties series that celebrates local knowledge on waterwise gardening, food growing, and community building through free workshops, activities, and festivities. From zucchini sizzles to wheelbarrow races, fruit tree pruning demonstrations to pou whenua making to wildplay, the parties will be happening in seven gardens across Kāpiti throughout April. 

For more information on the programme, see https://www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/Our-District/on-to-it/community-garden-parties

-KCDC

COUNCIL DISCUSSES KEY AREAS OF FOCUS FOR 2019-20

Kāpiti Coast District Council’s annual plan process for the 2019/20 year is underway with Councillors agreeing proposed key areas of focus yesterday. Mayor K Gurunathan says the draft plan sets out the activities the Council plans to deliver in 2019/20 and the proposed rates increase for the year.

“We’re committed to continuing on the path we set down in year two of our Toitū Kāpiti long term plan 2018-38. This includes continuing to manage and upgrade our water infrastructure, work to address flood risks, improving our local roads and community facilities. “As we are not proposing any significant changes in the year ahead, we are not formally consulting on any change options this time round. Instead, we are taking the opportunity to remind the community of what’s planned.”

A summary of what’s proposed in the draft 20/19 annual plan will be available online and in Council service centres in early April 2019. The Mayor encouraged people to take an interest in the draft plan. “We’re always interested in what our community has to say and welcome questions or comments on the draft plan.”

“Councillors will carefully consider all feedback received before they decide to adopt the final 2019/20 annual plan on the 23 May 2019.” Further information about the draft 2019/20 annual plan and how to provide feedback is available on Council’s website www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/Your-Council/Planning/annual-and-long-term-plans/annual-plan-2019-20/

- KCDC