Maclean Park kiosk has short term tenant
Council’s Environment and Community Development Committee (ECD) has unanimously agreed to allow a company that runs tours to Kāpiti Island to rent the Maclean Park kiosk for the rest of the summer.
Kapiti Island Nature Tours (KINT) requested the temporary use of the newly-refurbished kiosk saying a rent hike at the Kapiti Boating Club meant it could no longer afford to run its operation out of those premises. The company planned to use the kiosk as a biosecurity and check-in facility for visitors to Kāpiti Island.
A report to the Committee from Council staff said that KINT was prepared to pay $100.00 a week rental for the building, in its current state, from 9 February until 16 May 2015.
The report said the proposed use complied with approved activities under the Reserves Act 1977 for Maclean Park’s and was compatible with its recreational reserve status.
Chair Penny Gaylor emphasised her committee was only approving a short term arrangement at this stage.
“The kiosk was retained as a community facility and the Paraparaumu Community Board is continuing to consult with the public about potential long term uses.
“In the meantime, this is a temporary arrangement that helps out a business that is important to the economy of our district, is compatible with the reserve/recreation use of the land and allows Council to gather revenue while decisions about the long term use of the kiosk are being decided on.
John Barrett, spokesman for the tourism operator told the Committee the company would use the kiosk for two hours each morning and afternoon, a total of about four hours a day but that time could be extended.
“We could take that use a little bit further by having somebody in there to answer questions about Kapiti Island and to act a little like a de-facto-quasi business centre/information centre as well. If we were there paying rent, we would look to use the time productively.”
Paraparaumu-Raumati Community Board chair, Fiona Vining said the Board was willing to support the arrangement with KINT on condition that it was a temporary tenancy with the facility possibly open for use by other community groups in the hours it wasn’t being used by the company.