MEDIA RELEASE
30 November 2009
Consultation for Taupo’s draft Structure Plan to kick off with public open days
The draft Taupo Urban Commercial and Industrial Structure Plan has been approved for consultation by Taupo District Council with a comprehensive consultation process to get underway in early December.
Environmental Services Manager Gareth Green says, “we were very pleased with the level of interest expressed during the pre-consultation process, and are aware that people have been waiting for the draft Structure Plan which includes more detail on plans to refresh, renew and reconnect Taupo.”
He says a comprehensive public consultation process will get underway shortly and will highlight key points from the draft Structure Plan, and also touch on some future changes to the District Plan which support the plan.
Mayor Rick Cooper says there has been a lot of discussion about the Tongariro Domain and the proposed three story multi-purpose community facility, consisting of an events pavilion on the ground floor, Council office in the middle and an arts and cultural heritage centre on the top floor. He stresses there is more to the structure plan than this building “it is very important that people are aware of a number of other significant matters in the plan such as proposed changes to building heights, changes to Tongariro Street, upgrades of the laneways and service lanes in the CBD and increasing connectivity between the town centre, domain and boat harbour.”
“We don’t want these to go under the radar, and there should be no surprises.” He says copies of the full document will be widely available at Council offices and on the website.
“I strongly advise everyone who lives in the district, owns property here or simply has an interest, to find out what is in this plan and make a submission. Council need to hear from our whole community on what they want for the future of Taupo town,” said the Mayor.
Mr Green says that due to the significance of this project, consultation will take place for almost three months kicking off with open days at the Great Lake Centre on 14, 15 & 16 December, “officers will be holding open days at the Great Lake Centre over three days commencing 14 December. We will also hold a second series of open days in early February before submissions close. He said this is to ensure both residents and our holiday home owners get ample opportunity to find out and ask questions about the plan be part of the process.
A weekly series of key points will be published in the local paper, and information will be available on the Council website. A summary document which includes a submission form will be widely distributed, “communicating with our communities is very important,” said Mr Green.