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\nMurupara’s town’s commercial centre, currently on Pine Drive. Photo \/ Beacon file<\/p>\n
Reorienting Murupara\u2019s commercial centre towards State Highway 38 to take better advantage of passing traffic is one of the key features of a new masterplan for the town.<\/p>\n
Whakat\u0101ne District Council\u2019s strategy and policy committee was presented with the Murupara masterplan, developed in partnership with Te R\u016bnanga o Ng\u0101ti Manawa, for endorsement on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Mayor Nandor Tanczos said the masterplan showed \u201ca really great vision for a place that once was a thriving, prosperous little town\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been through some hard times and the thinking we have seen from the r\u016bnanga around how to rejuvenate and revive the fortunes of Murupara is really commendable,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The masterplan is part of the council\u2019s southern district towns regeneration project, funded by the Government as part of the Better Off Funding package of works, under the Three Waters infrastructure programme.<\/p>\n
The project also includes a masterplan for Minginui still being developed in partnership with Ng\u0101ti Whare.<\/p>\n
The funding also included activation funding – $250,000 for Murupara and $150,000 for Minginui – to attract co-investment and unlock early project development.<\/p>\n
In Murupara, this activation fund is being used for recreational improvements at Taniwha Park, in conjunction with the Murupara water treatment plant upgrade project, located in the same area.<\/p>\n
The funding will support improved access to the Rangit\u0101iki River swimming area and is expected to be implemented in the latter half of the year.<\/p>\n
\nMurupara’s town’s commercial centre, currently on Pine Drive. Photo \/ Beacon file<\/p>\n
The masterplan captures the aspirations of Ng\u0101ti Manawa and the community of Murupara and does not impose requirements or obligations on the council.<\/p>\n
The strategic vision is for Murupara to be a thriving service hub for the wider area.<\/p>\n
It would see the existing commercial zone replaced with a mixed-use zone to encourage residential development, including provision for kaum\u0101tua k\u0101inga (retirement housing) within walking distance of health and social services.<\/p>\n
Upgrades to Murupara Aquatic Centre and Taniwa Park and development of a community centre, playground and skatepark are some of the improvements envisioned. However, the masterplan recognises that external funding sources would be required for these to be achieved.<\/p>\n
Progress made on existing council projects, including the new water treatment plant and the replacement of the wastewater treatment consents and associated upgrades were also reflected in the masterplan.<\/p>\n
Te Runanga o Ng\u0101ti Manawa chief executive Eugene Berryman-Kamp told the committee it was appreciated that Ng\u0101ti Manawa could work alongside the council in the generation of the plan.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hosted a number of the community meetings and I think it does accurately reflect the aspirations of our community for what they want Murupara to look, feel and be like as a place for them to live in,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe understand that it is an aspirational document. We are not going to hold you to everything on each page, but it\u2019s important.<\/p>\n
Berryman-Kamp said Murupara was designed to accommodate a much bigger population than it does now, but housing stocks had been run down over the years.<\/p>\n
\u201cMurupara in its heyday had a population of about 5000. The last census had us at about 1800.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a shortage of quality, warm, affordable accommodation.\u201d<\/p>\n
There were commercial opportunities Ng\u0101ti Manawa would like to see realised that could attract people into the region but predominantly it wanted to create warm, quality affordable housing for local families to move into.<\/p>\n
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.<\/p>\n
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