Central Otago District Council community and engagement manager Paula Penno provided an update of the scheme at last week’s Teviot Community Board meeting in Roxburgh.
The Department of Internal Affairs allocated the region $240,000 over a three-year period.
The Teviot Valley was one of 12 regions awarded funding in 2016.
The report outlined key activities that had occurred over the past six months.
An inter-cultural public art project in Roxburgh’s main street, improved internet coverage and development of the Roxburgh Service Centre’s digital and community hub were some of the recent focus areas.
The development scheme group has been working closely with internet and data consultant VelocityNet, which had ‘‘committed to installing additional repeater towers through the valley to create greater overall coverage’’.
‘‘Once the system is proven a reliable and high-quality provider across the region, it will be promoted to the wider community,’’ Ms Penno’s report states.
The group had partnered with the Central Otago District Arts Trust and Teviot Arts Inc to develop a high-profile piece of public street art for Roxburgh’s Scotland St.
Community workshops were being organised to discuss ideas for content for the mural.
As part of the digital and community hub development in Roxburgh, a free public Wi-Fi service had been available at the local service centre, which was ‘‘well received’’ during a busy summer season.
The report said work was progressing to ‘‘soften’’ the service centre environment by offering bean bags and installing a permanent wall decal backdrop.
Education on internet banking and computer training courses would be available to residents over the winter months through the group’s partnership with Reap.
Teviot Community Board chairman Raymond Gunn said the concept around banking and apps would be a good thing, ‘‘especially for older residents’’.
