Residents of Owaka are having a say on landscaping plans
for their township. The plans have been on display for the past
two months, and a public meeting held last week gave residents
the opportunity to express their views to Owaka Going Forward.
The community committee is planning to enhance the appearance
of the township as directed by the community before its 150th
celebrations in 2016. Owaka Going Forward chairwoman Aileen
Clarke said a diverse group of about 40 showed ”some real
passion” regarding the ideas proposed.
Groups were asked to write down their ideas on the
landscaping proposals presented. The responses would be
collated and given to the landscape architect to present a
plan that best represented the wishes of the general
community, she said.
The landscaping plan would then become part of the Clutha
District Council’s draft reserve management plan for Owaka
which would be open for consultation in June.
”This process is the reason why it has taken so long to get
to this point.”
Mrs Clarke said that while there was a thorough process to go
through, Owaka Going Forward wanted to ensure the
enhancements best represented the community’s vision, and
with as little impact as possible on ratepayers.
Last December, plans for a large waka sculpture in the centre
of Owaka were welcomed by residents.
Designed by Invercargill sculptor Russell Beck, it will be
made of stainless steel and be about 10m long and 8m high.
With an estimated cost of about $80,000, the project will be
funded through grants and community fundraising.
It is planned to install the sculpture in the triangle park
on the corner of Main Rd and Campbell St, near the Owaka
Museum.
Owaka Going Forward was formed after a series of six public
workshops in 2012.
At the workshops, it was decided the waka would be the theme
of the town and that the entry points to Owaka needed
improving.
It was also identified that the township had no reserve
management plan in place to guide council and to secure the
use of the reserve areas as the community wanted.
The Clutha District Council is due to adopt the draft
management plan for the Owaka reserves at its meeting today.
helena.dereus@odt.co.nz
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