Township plans are about communities taking ownership of their future
Having communities take ownership of planning for the future of their own township is the goal of the two Gisborne District Council staff members. Natural resources team leader Yvette Kinsella will be responsible for helping Manutuke and Matawai-Motu prepare a township plan and Keriana Wilcox (senior planner) will oversee the preparation of plans for Te Puia Springs-Waipiro Bay and Tikitiki-Rangitukia.
They will start work next month notifying community members through posters, iwi radio stations and mail of their intention before holding meetings in the townships. They will also make use of the consultation meetings that will be held as part of the annual plan process to get feedback from the communities on what they want.
“It is important that the communities take ownership of any plans produced because they will drive how townships will look in 20 years time. We also want to get young people involved because they will be the community leaders in the future. The key thing is that the community wants the plan, supports it, owns it and has input into the process,” said Ms Kinsella.
The community plans would then became part of the Council’s ten year plan and council would consider implementing them over time. Not all the projects identified would be council ones; the community could do some of them such as setting up a community committee if they wished. The council will also work with other agencies.
“These plans are quite important documents, said Ms Wilcox. “When it is clear that the community have considered what they want to see happen in their own town and agreed to some actions, it carries more weight with Councillors. Rural townships are unique. They are different from urban areas with different needs,” Ms Wilcox added.
Although there would be a combined plan for the coast townships, separate meetings would be held. Mayor Meng Foon would attend the Rangitukia meeting on February 2 and Council staff would be there to discuss community issues.
“It’s about high level goals, not fixing the potholes in the street. We get quite excited about working with a community because it is a really positive experience,” said Ms Kinsella. “It is a chance for people to shape their own community.”
All residents are invited to the Tikitiki-Rangitukia community workshop on 2 February from 2pm-5pm. The Te Puia Spring - Waipiro Bay Plan will kick off on 10 February 10am – 12pm at Iritekura Marae followed by a community workshop at 5.30pm at the Council’s office in Te Puia Springs. Dates for Manutuke and Matawai-Motu are being finalised.
When these four are finished the council will have prepared 10 community plans.