$3 million heritage tourism project which would use high technology to portray stories of early Oamaru was pitched to politicians in Wellington on Tuesday.
A contingent from Oamaru included Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust chairman and project development team member Phil Hope, Scott Elliffe, who first proposed the Inside Victorian Oamaru concept, Waitaki Mayor Alex Familton, Glenn Ormsby, Ian Little and David Wilson, who took along a penny-farthing.
Mr Familton said yesterday Mr Hope and Mr Elliffe did a "top-shelf", very thorough job to ensure the application for funding from Enterprising Partnerships had "optimum presentation".
The group met about 20 MPs thanks to the efforts of Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean, he said.
Mr Familton also met Local Government Minister Rodney Hide and found him receptive to ideas and thoughtful about the future of local government.
The pair spoke in general terms about the formula used for assessment and collection of rates, Mr Familton said.
"We're working on an old antiquated formula that has grown like Topsy over the years and has outlived its time."
