Search Underway to Develop Hauraki Communities

By John Freer

It is named the Placemaking Project and now the right people are being sought to bring it to life for the communities of Ngatea, Kerepehi and Paeroa within the Hauraki District.

This week the local district council adopted the project for the three towns, it being a concept aimed at area enhancement driven by the locals.

Local Mayor Toby Adams used an example relating to another town being Waihi. There the community wanted a new playground – the Hauraki District Council heard the request from residents and then linked with the local Lions Club.

The outcome a joint venture across the community, the council and the Lions, and a resulting new playground.

As Toby told us the project could be as simple as establishing a seat somewhere that people can sit and enjoy the view and the moment.

But as council heard, the concept does need the right people to lead it and it is these people that are now required.

Council has talked about potential advisory groups as part of further community engagement – at the end of the day councillors were told at their meeting this was a project where the communities make the decisions.

Cr Ray Broad said interested people needed to be engaged – he was excited as the project meant they could spruce up the whole region.

Open the link below to hear and interview with Mayor Toby Adams.