MEDIA RELEASE

Friday, April 19, 2013

Positive response to transport meetings

Horizons Regional Council transport planner Wayne Wallace was pleased with the turn-out at this week’s public meetings on community vehicle trusts and says decisions now lie with the communities of Shannon and Tararua.

The meetings, coordinated by Horizons Regional Council in partnership with Public Health and Tararua District Council, featured a presentation from Environment Canterbury transport planner Tony Henderson.

Mr Henderson has extensive experience working alongside communities to set up community vehicle trusts in towns where traditional public transport services are not viable and believes the trusts could be a good option for Shannon and Tararua.

This sentiment was echoed by the 40 residents who attended the Tararua meeting in Woodville and names have been left with Tararua District Councillor Shirley Hull with a view to establishing a steering committee.

12 people attended the Shannon meeting and Mr Wallace says feedback from this meeting was also pretty positive.

“We were really pleased with the turn out in both towns,” Mr Wallace says.

“Establishing a community vehicle trust is a community-led initiative. Community vehicle trusts offer door-to-door transport services run by local volunteers and they will require residents to take an active role. These initial meetings were a good way to gauge public support.

“There are still a few things to be worked through. In Shannon there is a need to work closely with the Horowhenua District Council, Foxton Beach community van and community health shuttle and I understand Public Health intend to hold another meeting in a few weeks time.

“In Tararua there are plans to develop a steering group to consider whether they want to start a community vehicle trust and what form this trust will take. At this stage there’s talk of a service that would transport people between Tararua towns but all that will need to be worked through with the community.”

Mr Wallace says Horizons will continue to support the communities as they consider whether or not to pursue the transport option and will look at the possibility of subsidising community services once these are up and running.

Ends

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