Councillors approve $10.6m town centre upgrades

South Taranaki district councillors have agreed to put $10.6 million towards upgrading some of their town centres as part of the district’s long-term plan.

The decision was made at South Taranaki District Council’s 2021-2031 Long-Term Plan deliberation meeting held on Wednesday (26 May), with councillors going through all 215 submissions.

Councillors recommended developing and funding town centre upgrades for Ōpunakē, Manaia, Pātea, Waverley and Eltham; completing all three stages of the South Taranaki Business Park; and to fully fund an environment and sustainability strategy.

Public backing from submitters was strong for all three proposals with support ranging from 79% for the town centre upgrades and Business Park development to 85% for the environment and sustainability strategy.

Based on feedback from submissions Councillors also agreed to put and additional $200,000 towards resourcing the parks and garden team, $10,000 extra each year towards the rural halls grant fund and $60,000 to be ring-fenced for the Rotokare Scenic Reserve Trust.

The plan still needs to be formally adopted on 28 June.