Linked pathway major project

DEVELOPMENT plans for a pathway between Feilding and Palmerston North are contained within a major project currently under discussion as the Manawatu District Council prepares its Draft Long Term Council Community Plan 2009-19.

Although final plans are yet to be determined, the pathway is likely to follow the railway track into Palmerston North and cater for a range of users.

Costs for the project are yet to be finalised – though it has been estimated at between $3 and $6 million, depending on the option chosen.

A community project team is investigating the proposal and its success will require long-term commitment and funding from other organisations and the community.

Council has set aside $57,000 per annum for pathway development and there is a possibility that central government (New Zealand Transport Agency) will also provide funding.

Council is keen for community feedback on this “Nice to Have” project, as well as the following major projects:

Strategic Roading Network

Council has been working with the Palmerston North City Council to develop a co-ordinated strategic roading network linking the district with the city, with four principal drivers to be considered:

Increasing traffic arising from the ongoing development of the North East industrial area of Palmerston North
Increasing traffic between Palmerston North and Feilding and to a lesser extent the wider Manawatu District
Eastern Growth Corridor and the second bridge across the Manawatu River
Likely closure of Milson Line for the airport runway extension

Should PNCC either delay or not proceed with the second bridge in the Te Matai area then this will ease some of the pressure off the strategic roading network upgrade. However, the remaining drivers will still need to be considered in upgrading the network.

Focus on Leisure

A project team of council staff members and community representatives has completed a draft plan on the redevelopment of Makino Park into a Leisureville concept comprising five zones – aquatic, environmental, adventure, recreational, and educational. The zones will be linked by a path around the entire area that will act as a “ring road”.

Leisureville highlights include:

An extended Makino Aquatic Centre
Numerous play features for children
BBQ facilities
Walking paths
Beautified Makino Stream with second bridge, beach and stepped areas

Manfeild Park

Council is currently working towards changing the zoning of Manfeild Park to better accommodate the range of activities held at the park.

Manfeild Park is currently zoned “rural” so only activities considered rural are permitted to occur. This means that community events such as dog trials, equestrian events and the A&P shows cannot be undertaken without first obtaining a resource consent.