Regional development important

MANAWATU District Council is hoping that regional development and collaboration is one issue that draws interest while its Draft Long Term Plan 2012-2022 remains open for public consultation.

In 2011, council endorsed the Regional Development Strategy, and is committed alongside partners Palmerston North City Council, Vision Manawatu and Destination Manawatu to implement the plan.

“Council believes that a collaborative approach will best enable us to grow our region,” it said. 

The strategy provides clear goals for growth and development and “undertaking this with the city means our spend complements their spend and, more importantly, we are not working at crossed purposes from each other”.

Shared services agreements are also in place with neighbours Rangitikei District Council (infrastructure and animal control) and PNCC (building regulatory services), while MDC works closely with Horizons Regional Council, a provider of services such as Civil Defence and Emergency Management.

Manawatu District is also a participant in the Regional Archives Project which is a collaborate venture organised by Manawatu-Wanganui Local Authority Shared Services Ltd. 

Its core is a database and associated website that provides public access to information about pre-1989 records of Wanganui, Rangitikei, Tararua, Manawatu and Horowhenua District Councils, PNCC and Horizons.

A number of other considerations such as affordability, rating system changes and Manawatu River Accord are highlighted in the Draft Long Term Plan, which is open for public comment until May 10. Seven submissions have been received so far.

All residents are encouraged to read the plan, or its summary, and make a submission if they have a strong opinion on any particular issue.


Further LTP meetings still to be held

Ten public meetings are still to be held as the Manawatu District Council’s Draft Long Term Plan 2012/2022 remains open for public consultation. MDC officers and councillors are attending the meetings, which began in Feilding on Monday, April 16, and end in Hiwinui on Tuesday, May 8. The schedule is:

Feilding                                       April 26        5.30pm    MDC Chamber

Sanson                                        April 26        7.30pm    Sanson Hall

Halcombe                                    April 30        7.30pm    Halcombe Tavern

Rangiwahia                                  April 30        7.30pm    Rangiwahia Hall

Pohangina                                   May 1           7.30pm    County Fayre, Pohangina

Himatangi Beach                          May 1           7.30pm    Community Centre

Tangimoana                                 May 2          7.30pm    McKelvie Hall, Tangimoana

Apiti                                               May 3           7.30pm   Apiti Hall

Rongotea                                     May 7           7.30pm    Te Kawau Recreation Centre

Hiwinui                                         May 8           7.30pm    Hiwinui Primary School

MDC officers will also be available from 9am to 2pm each Friday at the Feilding Farmers’ Market during the consultation period.