Views wanted on Sanson site
MANAWATU District Council is seeking suggestions from the public as to the future use of the former Junction Hotel property on the intersection of State Highways 1 and 3 at Sanson.
Council purchased the prime site in August last year and is keen to look at ways of capitalising on this district gateway as it continues to deliberate on the Draft Long Term Council Community Plan 2009/19.
The strategic importance of Sanson has long been recognised by council, given the town’s location at the junction of two major state highway links and its proximity to New Zealand’s primary air force base at Ohakea.
Sanson is considered an important link to the rest of Manawatu, Palmerston North and the southern North Island – a “gateway” community – and council is partnering with tourism agency Destination Manawatu to identify on how to best make use of the site.
A total of $20,000 has been allocated for a feasibility study (due for completion in 2009/10) which will include an assessment on whether other council facilities in the town can be rationalised.
An estimated additional $200,000 per annum in 2010 and 2011 has also been provided for development of the site, but until the feasibility study has been completed it is difficult to determine exactly how much funding is required.
These costs will be revisited once the study is completed and any variations will be notified through the 2010-11 Annual Plan. Council will also seek other funding partners to share the costs of the project.
Other major projects being considered by council are:
Community Development Funding Policy
Council is wanting to review the current Community Development Funding Policy that provides a consistent framework for the allocation of Community Development Funds. The review has been scheduled for 2009/10, but in the meantime, council has provided for the current level of funding ($200,000 each year) throughout 2009-19.
Rates Grants
A portion of the Community Development Fund is made available to provide grants for the payment of rates for community organisations, sports clubs, kindergartens, churches and other not-for-profit social service agencies. Over the years the amount of funding allocated for rates grants has continued to rise, so the amount of funding made available in 2007 was capped at $63,000 per annum. This meant some community organisations did not receive the same level of support as in previous years, so council is proposing to review the current annual allocation.
Future Growth
* Urban Growth: The Urban Growth Strategy produced in 2005 indentified sites around the edge of Feilding that could be future residential growth areas. Properties along Pharazyn Sreet and part of a property at the end of Lethbridge Street have already been re-zoned. Further work will now be undertaken to identify the next area to be rezoned.
* Industrial Land Development: The Industrial Land Use Planning Review identified three areas as being suitable for long-term (20 plus years) industrial development: South East Feilding (Kawakawa Road/Turners Road), for light industrial activities and those based upon agri-business; Longburn, for “wet” industries, and North East of the North East Industrial Zone, for warehousing and distribution activities. Council will progress changes to the District Plan to provide for those activities.