Views sought on watchtower plan
A large watchtower could soon be built on Paraparaumu Beach, as a visitor centre for tourists to Ka¯ piti Island.
The Ka¯ piti Watchtower design, by Victoria University School of Architecture students, consists of four long, modular arms and a central tower, and is described as a ‘‘yardstick’’ to measure the everchanging environment surrounding it.
The idea for an official ‘‘gateway’’ to Ka¯ piti Island, north of Wellington, has been floated for decades; the last concept design was for a building in a giant offshore paua.
While that idea was met with derision from locals, supporters of the Watchtower believe it fits both the brief and budget – and may even receive a financial handout from the Government.
At present, visitors to Ka¯ piti Island meet at the Paraparaumu Beach boating club, and biosecurity checks take place on a plastic table.
Supporters of a visitor centre say that’s not good enough.
Ka¯ piti Coast Mayor K Gurunathan said he supported a centre, and now was the time to try to win a slice of the Government’s $3 billion regional investment fund. Gurunathan said he had asked for ‘‘ball park’’ costings on the design, created by a team of senior architecture students, and wanted to get people discussing what should be built.
The recent funding made available by the Government meant ratepayers would not be stung with high costs, and it was important the area had something ‘‘spade ready’’ if given the green light.
‘‘This is possible, let’s hope we can do it.
‘‘This island is our icon, and we should do this.’’
Victoria University School of Architecture senior lecturer Sam Kebbell said the design was the culmination of nearly a year’s work by senior students.
The building was designed to let people study the environment, and would include bathrooms, a cafe, interactive features and a custombuilt bio-security checkpoint.
The 18-metre-high tower had two balconies, one facing the island and the other the Tararua Range, he said.
Architecture student Riley Adams-Winch hoped the final proposal would be presented to the council and the public for consideration, and would eventually become a ‘‘community icon’’.
Ka¯ piti Coast District Council group manager strategy and planning Sarah Stevenson said there was $60,000 set aside in the draft Long-Term Plan over the next three years.
‘‘With this funding we’ll be working with our partners to test the viability of the concept, and develop a business case for central government funding.’’
The council would seek to attract outside investment and commitment for the project and would work with iwi and the Department of Conservation, she said.
Maclean Trust financed much of the design work, and trustee Chris Maclean said he supported the Watchtower design.
‘‘We need something that really backs the island, which is the most important landscape icon of our district.
‘‘We’re basically neglecting it.’’