Meeting to hear progress on Hastings City Plan

Progress on the development of a plan for the future of Hastings CBD will be outlined at a public meeting in early November.

The Hastings District Council is leading the process to develop a plan that will provide the overall vision and direction for the City Centre. The Hastings Central City Plan will focus on protecting the strengths that exist in the CBD while unlocking the potential for growth and prosperity in the future.

Councillor Ru Collin will chair the meeting and says “Most research tells us that provincial New Zealand has challenging times ahead and Hastings won’t be immune to these pressures. It is imperative that the community has the chance to give us their views on the future of the CBD as we look to create a city centre that will be stronger and vibrant in the future.”

Ru Collin says “Council is very conscious of pulling together past work, present plans and future thoughts into one overall plan for the central city of Hastings. This development plan will essentially become an explanation – a plan that will centralise the thinking and help to coordinate all the efforts of improving our city’s central business district. This plan is all about using our present strengths and looking toward the future”.

“The process of gathering information from shoppers, business owners, customers, employers and employees began in December 2011 and this has helped in the formation of the basis for a Hastings Central City Plan. Past reports and previous knowledge collected by council has also been reviewed, and Council is nearing a stage where a draft central city plan can be presented to the community for general comment. Our work to date has given us some idea of how the public thinks the CBD should develop and this meeting will be another chance to further refine our initial ideas on how the city centre may develop before we consult formally in 2013” Ru Collin says.

The draft Hastings Central City plan is expected to be released to the public in February 2013. Public submissions will be heard in April 2013 and the plan will be further refined before adoption late next year.

Everyone is welcome to attend the City Plan Project update meeting in the Hastings District Council Chambers on Monday 12th November between 6pm and 7.30pm.

For further information on the plan and to give your thoughts go to www.myvoicemychoice.co.nz/cityplan