Two differ on Taihape future

BUILDING ON THE BOOT: The Gumboot should become a symbol of Taihape, says Creative Communities. PHOTO/BEVAN CONLEY A-070214WCBRCWAI17

Taihape could be a "destination town" and its future should be based around its main state highway location, natural setting and "gumboot capital" trademark, a draft plan says.

The first Taihape Town Centre Plan is out and highlights strengths the Rangitikei town should focus on.

But two parties tasked with planning the town's future are at odds.

Taihape's population has halved since its peak of 3500 in the 1960s and is expected to halve again by 2045.

The Rangitikei District Council has commissioned town centre plans for its largest towns in a bid to ready them for future needs.

The plans are also part of the council strategy to reduce its ownership of community assets.

A Taihape town meeting was held in July last year.

A steering group was appointed and asked to create a draft plan by January, with the help of urban planning consultants Creative Communities.

That first draft said the cost of strengthening the town hall was $1.9million; but that was too much for the council and a new civic space would be the best option.

But a report to the Taihape Community Board said the steering group felt the process had been rushed and did not allow time to come up with "actual ideas".

"The whole process conducted by Creative Communities has not been community led," chairman Peter Oliver wrote. It said the steering group did not agree with the proposals in the draft plan.

Meanwhile, Bulls has the most advanced plan, based around an all-inclusive civic centre in place of the town hall, council service centre and library.

The town plans are being timed to coincide with the council's Long Term Plan, which sets out its expenditure for the next 10 years and is due mid-year.