“Many Kāpiti residents and businesses will welcome an informed and rational debate on restructuring the Wellington Region as was recommended in the report of the Local Government Commission released yesterday,” the chair of Better Kāpiti, Guy Weaver, said.
“This week’s report of roading priorities underscores the value of a region-wide decision-making process. Sadly though, the other ‘biggie’, water services, won’t enjoy the same advantages under the current fractured and siloed structure. Until Kāpiti joins with the rest of the region our water services will continue to be a problem, despite recent efforts to resolve the ongoing issues,” he said.
“Kāpiti is too small and does not have the critical mass to properly achieve its potential. Until we partner in a formal and non-partisan way with our neighbors, Coast residents will continue to suffer second rate services and decisions – such as the LIM coastal erosion fiasco, mismanaged cost over-runs, like the aquatic centre, questionable environmental decisions, like the Waikanae River recharge, multii-million edifice construction under the guise of repairs and upgrade and heavy-handed treatment of residents innocently trimming a few trees on their properties,” he said.
Guy Weaver said Better Kāpiti supports reforms that allow greater transparency and accountability to ratepayers.
“This is a once in a generation opportunity to explore the potential of cooperation and inclusiveness. Better Kāpiti urges residents to participate in the debate about the shape of our governance with open minds. We know the instinct is to preserve the status quo because it feels safe and familiar.
“Better Kāpiti says the status quo is not delivering the best quality we deserve or expect. Therefore, we ask the community to consider thinking outside the square and exploring the possible. We are a growing community and we need to utilise the best cost-effective brains, to ensure Kāpiti maximises its opportunities and strengths and becomes the best place to live, work and play in our region.” Guy Weaver said.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Good on you Mr Weaver for getting the ball rolling, but I for one along with many others who have lived here on the Kāpiti Coast all my life don’t quite see it that way.
In the 70’s the Kāpiti Borough Council was formed.
One reason for this formation was for the people of Paraparaumu and Paekākāariki to have more say, and to see that their rates money was being used in the area that they lived in..
In 1989 the formation (as we know it today) of the Kāpiti Coast District Council took place.
This included Waikanae and Ōtaki, a logical decision I think when we look at the topography of our landscape.
But the one thing for me that stands out from everything else is the lifestyle that is why most people choose to live here.
Better Kāpiti Mr Weaver, stands for all about business, growth and money from my perspective. It may bring some more jobs, but not the real jobs that are needed the most, and although I support some growth, it needs to be sustainable growth, not rampant growth that some would like to see.
More people equals more services and infrastructure, and more pressure on our delicate environment.
Please Mr Weaver, don’t use weasel words to entice people into thinking your way will make it the best place to live, work and play. If people cannot find what they want here on the Kāpiti Coast, then they only have to travel a short distance to the city of Wellington and surrounding areas to find. Let us stay and remain somewhat unique from the city life.
Greater transparency and accountability will become worse under amalgamation. It’s the same old story, the bigger you get, the more disorganised you become. Cooperation and inclusiveness is already happening between councils at a level which gives each council their own thoughts, ideas and recommendations from ratepayers perspective.
Mr Weaver you need to take on board a saying that captains of a sailing ship use, “Steady as she goes.”
Graeme, Kāpiti resident
