Kapiti News
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Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Your local news from Paekakariki to Otaki
Injured Phoenix rises from ashes HAYLEY GASTMEIER A brave kitten named Phoenix, who was badly burnt when she was accidentally dropped into a metal drum that had been used as a barbecue, is on the road to recovery at the Kapiti SPCA in Waikanae. A young girl had decided to dry off the wet kitten over the extinguished barbecue, which was still hot from the night before, when she dropped the kitten into the drum. Kapiti SPCA inspector Peter McCallum says by the time the girl had fetched her parents to pull Phoenix out, she had been in the hot ashes for one to two minutes. Mr McCallum says the family immediately took the injured kitten to the SPCA, who agreed to take it in, as the family would not have been able to afford the vet costs. Phoenix, who was named by the SPCA workers caring for her, is receiving treatment and “has been the perfect patient.”
Mr McCallum said the kitten had allowed staff to apply creams to her severely burnt paws, which were healing nicely, without protest. “If she had been in for longer she may not have made it. “She had a lucky escape.” He says the staff had fun trying to come up with the right name for her. They dabbled with names like Ashley and Burney, but finally settled on Phoenix. Phoenix also had burns on her tummy and tail but Mr McCallum says there should not be any permanent damage except her rear claws may never grow back. “She won’t be a great tree climber or anything. Will have to be more of an indoor cat, but she’s quite happy, and active.” The kitten was spayed last week, given a health check by a vet, and is getting ready for adoption. “Phoenix is super affectionate, a special little cat that loves being handled. “She’s a good luck story.”
ON THE MEND: Kapiti SPCA inspector Peter McCullum with Phoenix, who was badly burnt after being accidentally dropped into a barbecue. PHOTO: HAYLEY GASTMEIER / KAP060115HGKITTEN
Waikanae’s parking woes DAVID HAXTON Greater Wellington Regional Council has been challenged to explain why it’s making some effort to increase car parking near Paraparaumu rail station but appears to have no plans for easing serious parking pressure at Waikanae station. Former regional councillor Chris Turver says Waikanae is becoming the real danger point because its proximity to the high traffic density of SH1 is causing worsening safety issues for pedestrians and commuters. “While it’s heartening that a small effort is being made at Paraparaumu to relieve congestion it’s discouraging that there appears to be no plan for Waikanae.”
The regional council has bought three properties in Hinemoa St which will provide about 130 more parking spots for Paraparaumu railway station commuters; currently there are 581 spots available at the station. Paraparaumu is the third busiest station, not including Wellington, on the regional rail network; more than 3300 people start or end their train journey every day at the station. Mr Turver says with an increasing number of residents living north of Waikanae – and even more residential pressure to come as the benefits of the expressway start to cut in – Waikanae railway station’s car parking simply won’t cope. “If there is a plan for Waikanae it would be helpful if GWRC shared
it to give some comfort to the community – and if there is no plan then that would be a scandal.” Mr Turver has previously proposed solutions including improving local peak time bus services to encourage motorists to leave their cars at home, and developing park-and-ride commuter parking with shuttle bus services to the station. He says two blocks of land are for sale north of Waikanae which, in planning terms, would be ideal for a large park-and-ride base. Mr Turver says while he admires the positive improvements in transport services they must be matched with the critical long-term infrastructure to support them. ■ A regional council spokeswoman said “There’s no
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doubt more parking is needed at Waikanae station and we’re constantly looking for opportunities to increase the park and ride facilities there. We’ve been exploring possibilities since before the new station was built. Opportunities such as the one that arose at Paraparaumu are rare – which is why we seized it as soon as we could. Until opportunities become available we are working to make more people aware of the bus connections and the walking and cycling distances to the station and we are looking at encouraging people to carpool to the station by offering more carpool parking.” There are 253 carparks available for Waikanae station commuters – 168 in the dedicated park and ride facility and 85 on street parks.
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If there is a plan for Waikanae it would be helpful if GWRC shared it to give some comfort to the community – and if there is no plan then that would be a scandal.
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CHRIS TURVER
As at July 2014 an average of almost 11,500 passenger trips are made to and from Waikanae each week, making it the sixth busiest station on the region’s network.
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Prices valid Wednesday 14th January to Sunday 18th January. Available only at PAK’nSAVE Kapiti. All offers are subject to availability or while stocks last. We reserve the right to limit quantities. No trade supplied. Rimu Road, Paraparaumu, Kapiti. Ph: (04) 296 6222. Open 7am-11pm, 7 Days
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