National Park Ward townships revitalisation

National Park Ward townships and Waiouru revitalisation

Around 20 people from National Park, Raurimu and Owhango attended The National Park Community Board (NPCB) meeting on Tuesday (14 Feb) to discuss what they would like to see happen to support revitalisation for their township.

Council Chief Executive Clive Manley said that it was fantastic to see that the enthusiasm to support the revitalisation process was so strong in these communities.

Although the shape of the township revitalisation projects will vary from town to town the common factor to ensuring their success is participation from local residents and other stakeholders, he said.

The input of ideas, energy and passion from local people is key to keeping the projects on track and making steady progress.

Residents attending from all three NPCB townships all had ideas to put forward for discussion.

The Owhango residents group requested reticulated sewage, tar sealing, WIFI, a village notice board and high on their list of priorities a public toilet.

A resident from Raurimu spoke about the problems of waste disposal from freedom campers and the state of the spiral lookout.

It was suggested that National Park have a skate park and also needed public toilets close to SH4.

The plan is to have the NPCB meeting alternate between National Park, Raurimu and Owhango with the next meeting planned for Owhango on 28 March.

Waiouru residents will get their opportunity to discuss their ideas for township revitalisation in a special session starting at 5.00pm before the next Waimarino-Waiouru Community Board (WWCB) meeting on Thursday 2 March (which starts at 6.00pm)

Mr. Manley said that it is hoped that Waiouru locals will also attend in good numbers and engage with the process as has been the case with the other township revitalisation meetings around the District.

Major local stakeholders including the Army and the Army Museum are already committed to taking an active part in the discussion.

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