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The property at 77-109 Kapiti Rd is for sale and marketed as prime commercial/residential land
Coastal Kāpiti environmental groups are lobbying to convert a block of flood-prone land in Paraparaumu that is for sale into a wetland park.
The 28-hectare land at 77-109 Kāpiti Rd consists of two lots and was marketed as “first commercial/residential land”, but the environmental groups believe the district council should purchase the land and turn it into a park.
“We just think it’s completely the wrong place to put up commercial buildings or homes,” said Paul Callister, of Kāpiti Coast Biodiversity Project.
“There are no big parks and open spaces in Paraparaumu, so it will be a fantastic wetland park.”
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Stuff / Stuff
Much of the block (outlined in red) of 77-109 Kāpiti Rd has been marked as flood storage by the Kāpiti Coast District Council.
Much of the block has been marked by the Kāpiti Coast District Council the flood risk map as storage areas, where, according to the municipality, there were “puddles of flood water”. expected in severe weather.
An open letter to the municipality from groups such as Low Carbon Kāpiti, Forest and Bird Kāpiti-Mana and the Kāpiti Coast Biodiversity Project has so far received more than 650 online signatures.
The letter stated that the land was part of the former great peat swamp that ran from Paekākāriki behind the front sand dunes through much of the district.
“Ven is a type of soil that is not allowed to be built on because of its instability, low bearing capacity and because it is usually associated with a risk of flooding.
Jericho Rock Archer
Paul Callister of the Kāpiti Coast Biodiversity Project said peat, the country’s main soil type, releases 30 tons of carbon dioxide per hectare when dried. (File photo)
“A large part of the land for sale is also located in a flood zone. In the event of a major flood, water from the Wharemauku Stream may overflow.
Callister said building on peat should not be allowed because drying it would release 30 tons of carbon dioxide per hectare, but the land would be suitable for a park.
Jake Roos of Low Carbon Kāpiti said building on that block would risk more flooding along the Wharemauku stream.
“It has a domino effect,” he said. “If the water cannot enter that space during a flood, it will be pushed downstream.
“If someone were to build [on that land]they should not only mitigate the fact that there will be flooding on that land, but also to reduce the runoff.
Justin Wong/Stuff
A spokesperson for the district council said they have nothing to add at this time.
Callister thought the signatures under the open letter showed that the proposal was resonating with many local residents.
“Kāpiti isn’t a big area and everyone we’ve talked to is just really excited about the idea.”
As of August 2020, the 18 acre lot was at 77 Kāpiti Rd valued at $9.9 millionwhile the separate 10 acre lot was at 109 Kāpiti Rd valued at $8.19 million. The sales deadline is Thursday.
The district council was approached for comment, but a spokesperson for the district council said it had nothing to add at this stage.