Annual Plan Proposals Lay Groundwork for Government Investment

An energised group of around 25 people attended a public meeting in Taumarunui last night (Wed 30 Mar 16) on whether to support Council’s Annual Plan proposals to invest in economic and community development.

The meeting heard from a panel consisting of Mayor Don Cameron, Chief Executive Clive Manley, Economic Development Manager Warren Furner and Group Manager Policy and Planning Pauline Welsh on why Council felt that reallocating spending to support tourism sector development, digital enablement and the building of multi-purpose community facility in Ohākune was the best use of ratepayer money.

Mayor Don Cameron said it was fantastic to see Taumarunui locals so animated and excited about discussing what needed to be done to take their township and Ruapehu forward.

“What Council stressed was the need to lay the ground work for building confidence in Ruapehu as a good place to invest which we believe our Annual Plan proposals if implemented will help to establish.”

“The government funded Manawatu-Whanganui Regional Growth Study has now evolved into a Regional Action Plan programme called Accelerate25 that is working with stakeholders to identify and develop growth opportunities.”

“Ruapehu and all our townships now have a once in a generation chance to leverage off the Accelerate25 action plan and the government co-investment opportunities that comes with it.”

“It is important to note that the government expects communities to have ‘skin in the game’ and unlocking the government purse strings is dependent on Ruapehu being prepared to invest in ourselves.”

“The Growth Study highlighted that there is a compelling case that investment in the tourism sector would add jobs and increase incomes in Ruapehu.”

As part of Accelerate25 Council has been leading a Tourism Project Group made up of key industry operators to develop ideas that can be taken to government to see where they can partner with our Regional Tourism Organisation Visit Ruapehu.”

Mayor Cameron said that Council recognised that they were asking people to take a bit of a ‘leap of faith’ in seeing that Ruapehu’s relatively modest investment will open up much larger government investment.

“People should however take comfort from the cycle way example where Council put in around $60,000 and unlocked around $6.5 million in new government investment.”

“No one could have failed to notice that tourist numbers in Ruapehu are booming.”

“The success of our summer tourism offerings like our cycle trails and great walks have made Ruapehu an all year visitor destination and completely changed the district as an investment proposal and assisting to lift employment and incomes.”

Mayor Cameron added that Council was running of series of public meetings around the district on the Annual Plan proposals and he encouraged everyone with an interest in Ruapehu’s future to attend.

“The next one is tonight in Ohākune at 6.00pm in the Council Chamber on Ayr St, then Ohura Monday 4 April 5.00pm Community Hall, Raetihi Wednesday 6 April 6.00pm Raetihi School, National Park Wednesday 13 April 6.00pm National Park School, Waiouru Thursday 14 April 5.00pm Community Centre.”

“People wanting more detail on the Growth Study and Council’s economic development strategy should see our website www.ruapehudc.govt.nz ”

ENDS

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