Priority choices for six projects

MANAWATU residents are being asked to rank six “Nice to Have” projects listed in the Manawatu District Council’s Draft Long Term Council Community Plan 2009/19.

Council believe the projects can easily be reprioritised or rescheduled and will not create significant problems if unable to be completed in the next three years. Residents will select each project’s priority from “high”, “medium”, “low” or “not at all” options.

The benefits, negatives and estimated costs of each project are also listed.

The “Nice to Have” projects are:

1 Broadband (Project Whatunga). Council wants Manawatu to be the region of choice through innovative broadband connectivity and will advocate for an affordable high speed service to its communities, with special emphasis on education, local government, healthcare, public safety and economic development. Council has set aside $40,000 in 2010/11 to progress the project.

2 Leisureville. Centred on the redevelopment of Makino Park and surrounding areas it proposes five Leisureville zones – aquatic, environmental, adventure, recreational and educational. Council feel the concept has the potential to be a real asset to Feilding and the wider Manawatu District and envisages developing it over time.

3 New Makino Aquatic Centre features. Proposed hydro slide and water playground will provide exciting new attractions at MAC and the wider Leisureville development and add to Feilding’s attractiveness as a great place to visit and to live. Total project cost is $1.1 million.

4 Kowhai Park bird aviary. Due to general wear and tear over the last 40 years, the aviary needs to be upgraded, and with the current facility becoming expensive to maintain, council is proposing a $50,000 upgrade in 2009/10.

5 Feilding CBD Redevelopment Plan. Since the plan was adopted by council in 2001, several areas have been upgraded, but work costing $2.3 million is still to be done. In deciding what components of the plan to complete, and when, council has to balance the benefits of the redevelopment with financial pressures (on CBD businesses and ratepayers generally) caused by the current economic climate.

6 Pathway Development. Council has allocated $57,000 per year for the next 10 years to develop walk and cycleways throughout the district, including a pathway between Feilding and Palmerston North.

Submissions can be made from Tuesday, April 14, and emailed to ourplan@mdc.govt.nz