Commercial and Industrial Structure Plan underway

Councillors have approved the project scope for the Taupo Urban Commercial and Industrial Structure Plan at yesterday’s Council meeting and have given staff the go ahead to get the project underway.

The structure plan will look at the existing and future land requirements for commercial and industrial land in the Taupo urban area including the existing town centre. A future vision for the economic growth of the town and opportunities to improve the look and feel of the town centre will be investigated.

The structure plan will also look at the rezoning of land and design of areas around the East Taupo Arterial, consideration of large format retail and the revitalisation of the town centre with a focus on improving its links to the Lake and Tongariro domain.

Now that the scope of the project has been agreed, the next stage involves pulling together the relevant information and then working closely with the community to establish the vision and objectives for the structure plan.

Mayor Rick Cooper says this is a key piece of work for the future of the District. “This is about us (Council) taking a proactive approach to leading how future commercial and industrial growth takes place in Taupo, so we can attract people and cater for our businesses.”

It is anticipated that the Structure Plan will be complete and a plan change will be ready for notification towards the end of 2009.