Council Goes to the Public for Community Plan Input

Staff from New Plymouth District Council will be hitting the streets from tomorrow (Thursday) to talk directly with the public about the future of this district.

The community roadshows will be taking place in 12 locations throughout the district during August as part of preliminary work on the Community Plan 2009-2019.

“We’ve decided to go onto the streets and talk with people directly so we can hear from those who might not usually take part in consultations because of the demands of time, or limited access to computers for email or web-based surveys,” says Mayor Peter Tennent.

“We’ll be asking people about what is important to them and what they want for New Plymouth District during the next 10 years – all of which will help us write a Community Plan that reflects the priorities of our residents as we shape the future of New Plymouth District.

“And the community roadshows are making it dead easy for people to take part.

“We’re using a touch-screen survey called Touch Poll, which is faster than having someone write down your answers and is as simple as pressing a flat button.”

Anyone who can not get to a community roadshow can fill in the Touch Poll survey online at www.newplymouthnz.com/shapeourfuture , or at the reception desk of the Civic Centre. Comments can also be made to the council in writing, or by email or phone.

The community roadshows will take place from 9am-noon (except for Urenui from 10.30am-12.30pm, and Oakura from noon-3.00pm.)

Thursday 7 August: New Plymouth central city/Puke Ariki Landing.
Friday 8 August: Moturoa shopping area.
Thursday 14 August: Merrilands shopping area.
Friday 15 August: Marfell (Cook and Banks streets).
Monday 18 August: Fitzroy shopping area.
Tuesday 19 August: Urenui Library.
Wednesday 20 August: Bell Block (library/shopping centre).
Friday 22 August: Westown shopping area.
Monday 25 August: Oakura (library and shopping area).
Tuesday 26 August: Okato (main street).
Thursday 28 August: Inglewood (library/Rata St).
Friday 29 August: Waitara (library/McLean St).
The Community Plan 2009-2019 will identify the work the council will do, and how it will pay for it, in detail during the first three years and in general for the following seven.

Once a Community Plan is in place, it can not be changed during its three-year life without the council going through another Community Plan process. “It’s important that we get this right first time, so I encourage people to take a few minutes to take part in these community roadshows,” says Mayor Pete.

NPDC has already held Community Plan workshops with elderly people, youth, tangata whenua, Maori provider organisations, and strategic partners and stakeholders.

A workshop will soon be held with all four community boards, and information on all the feedback received will be provided to the public in October.

A draft Community Plan 2009-2019 will be released for formal submission in April next year.