It might be a small population but it is a determined one in the Teviot Valley.
The draft Teviot Valley Community Plan has been released by the Central Otago District Council for feedback until March 6.
Council community development adviser Rebecca Williams said she was delighted with the input from the region whose population was just over 1700.
Surveys and public meetings were held to find out what mattered to people and what they wanted added to improve their community. Students at Roxburgh Area School had their own session to find out what was important to them.
A community plan helped gather many ideas voices into one shared direction and helped when working with council, funders, government, iwi, and others who could support the things the community cared about. The last Teviot Valley community plan was done in 2011, Ms Williams said.
Specific to Teviot Valley was a section on mining and quarrying effects on the community as that had begun in the area since the last plan was done.
The draft report showed retaining the friendly, slower pace of life was crucial to most people.
An ageing population brought up concerns about health facilities, a wider range of housing options and public transport inside as well as too and from the Valley.
Top of the wish list was an entertainment centre, following the destruction of the previous building last year. A vibrant, multi-purpose community hub with flexible facilities and outdoor spaces for community events was proposed.
Students were keen for an indoor sports facility and hang-out spaces. They were also keen to see fast-food chains and more shopping choices. Extending the existing library to including hang-out space was suggested.
Planting new crops, including ginseng and hemp, a commercial freeze-drying facility and a new bridge at Millers Flat with a cycle bridge from Ettrick were also proposed.
- The draft plan is available at https://lets-talk.codc.govt.nz/101200/widgets/478786/documents/322591. Submissions close on March 6.
