Helping Owaka flourish in time for its 150th celebrations in 2015 is the focus of a community development plan and committee.
Owaka Going Forward, a community committee chaired by Gary Dawkins and made up of representatives of the area's key community groups and sectors, has been formed to lead the 11-page plan's implementation.
Early this year, a group of residents decided a community development plan was needed to identify ideas and opportunities for Owaka township and surrounding areas.
Mr Dawkins said one of the key drivers was to have the community ready for the 150th anniversary of settlement at Owaka, planning for an upgrade of the township's surrounds and celebrations for the event already started.
The plan has already encouraged the formation of an Owaka Business Owners Group and the decision to use "place of the canoe" - the translation of Owaka - as the township's theme and identity, Mr Dawkins said.
Other projects, such as upgrading the public toilets, building a public laundromat and shower and establishing better broadband coverage were also planned.
Mr Dawkins said youth and senior representatives would be appointed to the group.
Members of Owaka Going Forward are: Melanie Burgess, Grant Bradfield, Aileen Clarke, Gary Dawkins (chairman), Kim Dodds, Trevor Hewson, Alex MacCreadie, Bruce McGill, Hilary McNab (secretary), Mike McPhee and Bruce Wilson.
