Latest news with #JanetHolborow
Scoop
5 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
Council Backs Push For Better Access To Local Health Services
Kāpiti Coast District Council has formally endorsed the work of the Kāpiti Health Advisory Group's (KHAG) for its efforts to secure better access to health services for the local community. Mayor Janet Holborow acknowledged that while Council is not directly responsible for delivering health services, it plays a key role in advocating for improved health outcomes. 'Through our Vision Kāpiti conversations last year, our community made it clear that better access to health services is a top priority,' said Mayor Holborow. 'Kāpiti is a growing district with a large population of over 65s and an increasing number of young families. We must ensure the health needs of our residents are not overlooked by central government. 'We're currently developing a draft Health Strategy and greatly value the tireless advocacy of the Kāpiti Health Advisory Group in pushing for solutions that meet the needs of our people.' Mayor Holborow said a proposed Polyclinic for the district could be a 'game changer.' 'If funding can be secured, a Polyclinic would provide essential services locally, easing pressure on other regional facilities and ensuring our residents can access care close to home.' While the Council is not in a position to allocate ratepayer funding to the project, it will continue to support efforts to improve local health infrastructure. 'We will be writing to Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora, local MPs, and the Minister of Health, seeking a clear commitment to progressively expand services at the Kāpiti Health Centre,' said Mayor Holborow. 'This is one of several initiatives Council is working on, and we acknowledge the particular need for access to health services in Ōtaki. 'Council will also continue to work alongside KHAG and our Social Sustainability Committee to champion better health outcomes for our community.
Scoop
5 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Building A Resilient Future For Kāpiti: Annual Plan Adopted And Rates Set For 2025/26 Year
Press Release – Kapiti Coast District Council Work included in the Annual Plan includes important capital projects to upgrade the Paraparaumu wastewater treatment plant and the Waikanae water treatment plant, and building Te Ara Whet, the new library and community hub in Waikanae. Kāpiti Coast District Council has adopted its annual plan and set rates for the coming year, with a focus on sticking to the long-term objective of building a resilient future for the Kāpiti Coast. The Annual Plan 2025/26 is an update to year two of the Long-term Plan 2024/34 (LTP), which outlines the projects and services to be delivered over 10 years. It was adopted by Council at its meeting on 29 May. Work included in the Annual Plan includes important capital projects to upgrade the Paraparaumu wastewater treatment plant and the Waikanae water treatment plant, and building Te Ara Whetū, the new library and community hub in Waikanae. Council is also progressing its financial strategy to reduce debt by a total of $153 million by 2034, building capacity to respond to natural disasters and maximise growth opportunities. To do the mahi (work) outlined in the plan and reduce Council's debt levels, rates revenue will rise by 6.9 percent after growth for the year – within the 7 percent limit set in the LTP. Kāpiti Coast District Mayor Janet Holborow says the Annual Plan sets Kāpiti up for future challenges. 'We've stuck to what we agreed with the community last year, with some minor amendments made to accommodate rising costs,' Mayor Holborow says. 'Everything we're doing is about making sure Kāpiti is well-placed for whatever the future brings, because based on our recent experience and the predictions we can draw from we know there will be unexpected challenges ahead. 'This is why we're continuing to invest in our core water infrastructure, which is among the best in New Zealand, and our other essential services. 'It's why we're reducing our debt, so that we can respond to potential natural disasters and growth opportunities strongly. 'We're also balancing this future focus with the current pressures we all face – no one wants to see high rates rises. 'We have worked hard to find significant operational savings, so we can keep rates as affordable as we can.' Mayor Holborow says the bulk of Council's rates-funded operational spending for the year ($114m) will be on core services like water management, roading and transport, and pools, parks and playgrounds. 'We'll be spending $34.1m of ratepayer money on our wastewater, storm water and drinking water services, $17m on our transport network, and $10.1m on our parks and open spaces. 'These and our other services all play important parts in making Kāpiti such a great place to live and do business in, and it's important we make sure we continue to invest in what we've got.' The final 2025/26 Annual Plan will be available to read at in the coming days. Fees and charges adopted At the same meeting Council also adopted the fees and charges used to cover some of the costs of facilities and services for the 2025/26 year. Most fees and charges increases have been held at the 3.2 percent inflation factor used by local government. There are some exceptions where fees and charges have risen. These include: Building Consent Fees: Fees for code compliance certificates and some LIMs will go up. Online consent application fees will also increase due to changes by our online system vendor. Domestic Food Business Levy: A new levy set by MPI will be introduced. The Council will charge a small fee to cover the cost of collecting this revenue for the Government. Hall Hire Fees: These will increase by 10% to cover higher costs. Learn to Swim Programme: Minor changes include more convenient payment options, flexibility for school participation, and a small regular charge for students to access the pool outside of lessons. Access and Transport: Corridor access request fees for project works will increase beyond inflation to cover higher costs. Wastewater Fees: Septage disposal and trade waste discharge fees will rise beyond inflation. A new fee for wastewater connection inspections will be introduced. Potable Water Fees: Adjustments will be made to fees for water meter special readings, filling point access cards, and water volume charges at Council filling points. Waikanae Pop-up Fees: New fees will be established to help cover the costs of the Waikanae Pop-up for start-up businesses in the short term. The full register of proposed fees and charges can be found at
Scoop
5 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Building A Resilient Future For Kāpiti: Annual Plan Adopted And Rates Set For 2025/26 Year
Kāpiti Coast District Council has adopted its annual plan and set rates for the coming year, with a focus on sticking to the long-term objective of building a resilient future for the Kāpiti Coast. The Annual Plan 2025/26 is an update to year two of the Long-term Plan 2024/34 (LTP), which outlines the projects and services to be delivered over 10 years. It was adopted by Council at its meeting on 29 May. Work included in the Annual Plan includes important capital projects to upgrade the Paraparaumu wastewater treatment plant and the Waikanae water treatment plant, and building Te Ara Whetū, the new library and community hub in Waikanae. Council is also progressing its financial strategy to reduce debt by a total of $153 million by 2034, building capacity to respond to natural disasters and maximise growth opportunities. To do the mahi (work) outlined in the plan and reduce Council's debt levels, rates revenue will rise by 6.9 percent after growth for the year – within the 7 percent limit set in the LTP. Kāpiti Coast District Mayor Janet Holborow says the Annual Plan sets Kāpiti up for future challenges. 'We've stuck to what we agreed with the community last year, with some minor amendments made to accommodate rising costs,' Mayor Holborow says. 'Everything we're doing is about making sure Kāpiti is well-placed for whatever the future brings, because based on our recent experience and the predictions we can draw from we know there will be unexpected challenges ahead. 'This is why we're continuing to invest in our core water infrastructure, which is among the best in New Zealand, and our other essential services. 'It's why we're reducing our debt, so that we can respond to potential natural disasters and growth opportunities strongly. 'We're also balancing this future focus with the current pressures we all face – no one wants to see high rates rises. 'We have worked hard to find significant operational savings, so we can keep rates as affordable as we can.' Mayor Holborow says the bulk of Council's rates-funded operational spending for the year ($114m) will be on core services like water management, roading and transport, and pools, parks and playgrounds. 'We'll be spending $34.1m of ratepayer money on our wastewater, storm water and drinking water services, $17m on our transport network, and $10.1m on our parks and open spaces. 'These and our other services all play important parts in making Kāpiti such a great place to live and do business in, and it's important we make sure we continue to invest in what we've got.' The final 2025/26 Annual Plan will be available to read at in the coming days. Fees and charges adopted At the same meeting Council also adopted the fees and charges used to cover some of the costs of facilities and services for the 2025/26 year. Most fees and charges increases have been held at the 3.2 percent inflation factor used by local government. There are some exceptions where fees and charges have risen. These include: Building Consent Fees: Fees for code compliance certificates and some LIMs will go up. Online consent application fees will also increase due to changes by our online system vendor. Domestic Food Business Levy: A new levy set by MPI will be introduced. The Council will charge a small fee to cover the cost of collecting this revenue for the Government. Hall Hire Fees: These will increase by 10% to cover higher costs. Learn to Swim Programme: Minor changes include more convenient payment options, flexibility for school participation, and a small regular charge for students to access the pool outside of lessons. Access and Transport: Corridor access request fees for project works will increase beyond inflation to cover higher costs. Wastewater Fees: Septage disposal and trade waste discharge fees will rise beyond inflation. A new fee for wastewater connection inspections will be introduced. Potable Water Fees: Adjustments will be made to fees for water meter special readings, filling point access cards, and water volume charges at Council filling points. Waikanae Pop-up Fees: New fees will be established to help cover the costs of the Waikanae Pop-up for start-up businesses in the short term. The full register of proposed fees and charges can be found at
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Kāpiti Coast Water Services To Stay With District Council
Kāpiti Coast residents will continue to have their water services delivered by the District Council, in keeping with the strong community support for this model shared during the Council's recent consultation. Mayor Janet Holborow said Council felt the benefits of teaming up with other councils to deliver drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services did not stack up for Kāpiti ratepayers and residents at this time. 'Kāpiti has a great track record of strategic investment and excellent management of our water delivery services. This was endorsed by our consultation which showed 94 percent of submitters want us to keep their water services delivery with the council. 'Right now, we don't see any benefits to our community of joining up with other councils who are still facing the need to spend on big-ticket items like water meters and major wastewater treatment plant upgrades,' Mayor Holborow said. Under the Government's Local Water Done Well policy the Council was required to consult on two options: a joint council-owned arrangement with Manawatū, Horowhenua, and Palmerston North councils ('The Four') that would be independently governed, or the current in-house model but with water services delivery ring-fenced from the rest of council operations ('The One'). Manawatū District Council recently voted to continue to deliver their own water services in-house, pulling out of 'The Four'. This reduced the potential financial benefits for Kāpiti joining with Horowhenua and Palmerston North, Mayor Holborow said. Advertisement - scroll to continue reading 'We've looked at financial modelling which shows costs to consumers in the joint four-council model could even out in about 20 years, but that's by no means guaranteed. With Manawatū no longer in the mix, it further reduces the opportunities for economies of scale in the joint model,' she said. 'We also think there's still too much uncertainty about the additional set-up costs or the ability of our council to influence the governance and pricing in a joint model,' Mayor Holborow said. 'It's important to note that today's decision does not preclude us from exploring other water service delivery models in the future but for now we remain focussed on ensuring local priorities are upheld and we meet the Government's requirement to provide a Water Services Delivery Plan to the Department of Internal Affairs by 3 September this year.' Council made its decision at a special meeting today. Mayor Holborow acknowledged the collaboration between the four councils and thanked the community for engaging in the consultation.
Scoop
08-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Council's Corporate Emissions Reduction On Target
Press Release – Kapiti Coast District Council Mayor Janet Holborow says that these latest figures prove that Council is on the right track, and that the commitment is already paying off. Kāpiti Coast District Council has been a forerunner on reporting its corporate greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and have released the latest emissions inventory report. The Council committed to measuring and independently auditing its organisational emissions in 2010, and was the first local authority in New Zealand to certified under Enviro-Mark's Carbon Emissions Measurement and Reduction Scheme in 2012 (now known as Toitū Carbon Reduce). The 2023-24 greenhouse gas emissions inventory and management report is now available on the website, and the figures show some impressive progress: the Council has reduced its corporate emissions by 72% since 2010. The Council has an aspirational goal to be 'net zero' by 2040. Mayor Janet Holborow says that these latest figures prove that Council is on the right track, and that the commitment is already paying off. 'We've come a long way since we have started on our emissions reduction journey. But what is good to know is that progress doesn't always need big changes,' Mayor Holborow said. 'It's the small steps that make a difference over time, whether that's phasing in LED streetlights, retrofitting low-flow shower heads into the pools, or finding better waste management practices, it all adds up. 'But it's important we measure these outcomes, so we can see how we're doing and track trends and improvements – so we can see what is working, and where we can still do better,' Mayor Holborow said. 'The latest audit shows that we're making good progress year on year, with our 2023/24 emissions down by 11% from the previous year. That's 446 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions that we've managed to keep out of the atmosphere over the year. To put that into context, that's equivalent to the emissions of 23 average households over the same period.' 'The positive thing about reducing emissions is that it typically leads to improved energy efficiency, which lowers costs for Council, so we're able to deliver multiple benefits to our community. Mayor Holborow said that Council have embedded this thinking across the organisation, so taking action on climate change is not just about the big projects, it's about taking steps, no matter how small. 'Making decisions that prioritise energy efficiency or sustainability means that we're intentional about our resources – how we use power or dispose of waste, and being more efficient over time. 'These increased efficiencies have helped us reduce our carbon footprint as well as reducing operational costs, so it's delivering benefits in more ways than one. 'I'm incredibly proud of the role that Council has played, but it's important to note that it's a cumulative result, and we are already the beneficiaries of decisions that have been made by successive Councils over the years. This shows that climate action is a team effort, and what we plan today will have impacts for the future. 'This also shows us that success isn't reliant on big changes and investment, but can also be achieved through smaller adjustments. 'Setting goals and targets means that we can align ourselves on the same path and collectively make those wins. 'Looking back shows us how far we have come since we started this journey in 2010, and I am proud of our progress, but recognise there is still more to do,' Mayor Holborow said.
