Thu 13 Dec 18.
Community excitement around Taumarunui's township revitalisation is anticipated to increase next year with the start of the landscaping and garden work between the clock tower and the old library site on Hakiaha St.
Mayor Don Cameron said that with this work people will really start to see the major visual and amenity improvements this will bring to the CBD area.
Community feedback to the work we have done so far has been really positive with people excited to see work underway and changes on the ground, said Mayor Cameron.
"All the construction has been going to plan with the road works to the front and surrounds of the Railway Station including new angle parking on target to be completed before Christmas.
The completion of the new entrances and parking for the Railway Station, community museum and tourism hub means that in February the main landscaping and garden area redevelopment can now get underway.
All going well this landscaping phase of construction will take around four months with completion targeted for May.
Once complete Taumarunui will have a significant new amenity that will add to local life and provide an incentive for travellers to stop."
Taumarunui-Ohura Ward Committee (TOWC) Chairperson Karen Ngatai added that early next year we will also be starting the process of seeking external funding support for the community museum.
"The community groups involved with this project have been working with a very experienced consultant who has worked with museums throughout NZ including national museums," she said.
"The consultant has developed a 3D concept model and video to support our funding applications which has been presented to the TOWC.
Although there are never any guarantees the Ward Committee was quietly confident that the funding applications will be well received.
The concept plans for the Railway Station building including the i-SITE and community museum are very exciting.
The proposed layout of the museum will take people through the history and stories of Taumarunui from early Maori times, the rivers, our natural history, European settlement and the people of Taumarunui, etc. as well as spaces for education and activities.
People can view the 3D concept plans and video on Council's website and Facebook page."
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