The biggest factor that concerns people is the potential increased traffic congestion around the Expressway interchange — if there are going to be 1700+ people living there plus the commercial operations that the company intends that could also generate traffic.

In October 2015 the council also told us:

“The Waimeha area provides for up to 250 households in a mix of stand alone housing, town houses and apartments as well as small scale commercial activities at two locations within the site. One of these commercial areas is adjacent to the Waimeha Stream.”

It is clear from comments made by Crs Cootes, Elliott and Holborow on the Kapiti Coast Facebook Page that there is no opposition to Dougherty’s latest much publicised rates increase — the sole opponent, Cr David Scott, has been banned from the building.

Although the average increase around the District is 5.9%, in Waikanae it is 6.1% and with 37% of Waikanae citizens over 65. it’s certain that there are going to be folks who are going to find yet another big increase a financial struggle.

But there is relief available.

First and most significant was the announcement in the government budget during the last week that lowest marginal tax rate of 10.5% will now apply to income up to $22,000 rather than $14,000; the rate in this band till now has been 17.5%. However, that change doesn’t take effect until 1 April next year whereas Dougherty’s rates increase takes effect on 1 July this year.

Secondly, the central government Rates Rebate scheme, which is administered by the local councils.

According to the KCDC site webpage:

“The scheme is designed to provide a subsidy to low income home owners and the Department of Internal Affairs adjust the criteria and rebate value annually. You can seek a rebate for the current rating year only.

“Each application is judged against criteria set by the Department of Internal Affairs. The criteria covers many points and, although the income threshold is $24,470, you still may qualify for a rebate with a higher income figure if you have dependants, or if your property’s rates are high. The maximum allowable rebate is $610.00

“The additional income allowance for dependants is $500 per dependent.

“Please Note: To be eligible to apply for the 2016/2017 Rates Rebate the Department of Internal Affairs requires you to be the legal ratepayer of the property and therefore have your name entered on the Rating Information Database (RID). As the legal ratepayer of the property you could either be the owner of the rating unit (property), or a lessee meeting certain criteria.”

According to the letter reproduced in our post from 20 September last year, there were 2,190 approved recipients of this scheme in Kapiti over 2015-2016.

Thirdly, the council has its own remissions scheme for those whose total rates plus water charges exceed 5% of household income — see this post from March this year for info.

If you missed it today, it’s on again tomorrow in the Society’s rooms in Elizabeth Street.

The Dominion Post article on the Maypole company plans mentioned in the previous post.

“A Kapiti beach community is set to explode in size thanks to an 850-lot subdivision that will increase its housing stock by more than half.

“The Ngarara subdivision at Waikanae Beach will eventually boast apartments, houses, shops and possibly a school.”

At present the Maypole company does not have a Resource Consent to actually build any structures, although we were told two weeks ago by the council that one is close to being decided upon.

As we have commented before, the impact on the Waikanae Beach community of this whole development will be substantial and we will be reporting more.

With our help.  They sent their own list of questions to the company’s nominated representative with a deadline of today.  It will be interesting to see if they are any more successful in getting answers than we were.

The story will appear Saturday or next Monday.

Amidst public outcry from the gallery at HDC’s pre, public-allowed portion of the meeting, the decision was made for the sale of the flats. Read details in the article attached. These flats have been the subject of much controversy as like dominoes the Horowhenua DC follows many other districts who have sold (out). More evidence […]

via Horowhenua’s pensioner flats have been sold, and yes they did consult tenants … over a nice dinner — Rangitikei Enviromental Health Watch

Some of it anyway, and as can be seen, it hasn’t taken long long to fill with cars.  The rest presumably is a matter of a few weeks away.

When it’s all finished, will there be an opening ceremony with a speech from Mayor Guru on how he’s been making the KCDC “open, transparent and democratically accountable”?  No he can’t do that, can he.  What about the official mantra that Kapiti is “vibrant, diverse and thriving”?