the third option – updated 8/9/09
In December 2008, my wife and I bought our first house home in a lovely little sub-division in Kapiti called Waterstone. We have a playground for children and wetlands with two lakes which many ducks, geese and Pukeko call home. The residents of Kapiti and in particular Waterstone have recently found out that the Government wants to put a 4 lane expressway through our sub-division.
The two options proposed will either travel along the railway line and require the demolition of newly built houses in our sub-division or through Otaihanga towards Waikanae Beach which will require newly built houses in our sub-division to be demolished.
The residents are taking action. A site has been created called The Third Option where information, articles and views are being captured. Please visit the site and show your support. A community meeting has been called and is scheduled for Friday 4 September at 19:30 at the Memorial Hall on Tutanekai St. Please come along.
Articles (and comments):
- Coast road route ‘outrageous’
- Kapiti road plan greeted with dismay
- Fears for homes from Kapiti expressway plan
- ‘Lives at risk’ in Kapiti routes
Update – 27/8/09
- Waterstone residents meet – We had a residents meeting last night.
- Residents seek third road option – DomPost article about the residents meeting. An issue which I didn’t really consider before is what will happen to the people who are now going to open their front doors on to a 4 lane expressway?
- Apparently there’s an announcement about Transmission Gully on Friday (28/8/09).
Update – 1/9/09
- What does Labour MP Darren Hughes have to say on the issue? – I like what Darren Hughes is saying. At this rate he’s going to get my vote next election . . . if I’m still in the electorate.
- Waterstone residents meeting with Nathan Guy and NZTA – The reply from National’s Nathan Guy are appalling. I’m embarrassed to have voted National.
- Editorial: Get it right, Mr Joyce
- Council adviser axed over ‘conflict’
- Streets affected by proposed expressway –
Images to be posted by 13:30 1/9/09.The maps are up.
Update – 3/9/09
Update – 8/9/09
August 26th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Home not a House – We have been living near the Paraparaumu Domain for 13 years and have put years of TLC and $ into renovating our home and our property and we love it. We are horrified at the surprisingly new motorway options (both going through our property) for us and our community. Neither option should go ahead!
August 27th, 2009 at 8:53 am
We have only just moved to the area and until you mentioned it the distinction between a house and a home never really dawned on me. This is a good point.
The proposed express way has come as a shock and surprise to our little slice of paradise as well. One of the major concern is what happens to the people who’s house/home will not be destroyed. They’re the ones that will be in a worse situation I believe.
August 27th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
I live in Aorangi Rd, Paraparaumu. My partner and I just bought this house last year because we have lived on the coast for most of our lives and love it here, we want a nice home to raise a family. Now we get a pamphlet in the mail telling us that of the 2 main options being considered we would either end up living with a motorway in our front yard, our house value shot and our lovely safe little neighbourhood ruined; or our house ends up having negative equity and we lose it or the Government? buys our home for probably a fraction of its market value ( which wouldn’t be worth much if this proposal goes ahead) and we end up having to buy something less nice perhaps.
Having lived on the coast for most of my life however I do appreciate the need for some improvement in the roading area but what would happen to the current road? Would it still be used, the expensive and relatively new Lindale interchange? I mean the proposed ideas see a large amount of homes destroyed not to mention the cost in lifestyle to those of us who live in the affected area, it would also go through lovely established rural areas, brand new subdivisions, Lindale and Whitireia?
Can the existing highway not be upgraded? Would that not be easier and cheaper? Especially when you take into account the environmental impact, monetary cost and human lives affected…
I for one am very concerned and upset by these prospects and I am not alone.
What about transmission gully? Western link road? If you build an expressway as proposed, however fancy and it is still the only route out of Wellington what happens in event of earthquake/storm etc?
Please try to think of some other idea.
September 10th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
“I’m embarrassed to have voted National”
…Reaping what you have sewn?
September 13th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
Thanks Pete. You’re such a supportive guy.
February 9th, 2010 at 11:34 am
[...] news is a bit late. Some of you may be aware that the house we bought a year ago has had a somewhat darkish cloud hanging over it since August 2009 when it was announced by the Transport Minister that a proposed expressway would go through [...]