Mataura's Bridge St might be in line for a full makeover if a study into economic development initiatives for the town proves to be fruitful.
The Community Trust of Southland provided $19,800 for the Mataura Taskforce to engage urban revitalisation expert David Wilson, from Oamaru-based firm Heritage Futures International, to investigate economic development initiatives for the town.
This would be stage one of a proposed development programme.
The work would be carried out by Mr Wilson under the guidance of the Mataura Taskforce which in turn came under the umbrella of the community board.
A proposal called "Mataura Town of Champions" was attached to the Mataura Community Board agenda which was tabled for Monday night's meeting.
"This is an initiative designed to turn around the town's local economy, revitalise the Bridge St business district and assist community development generally," Mr Wilson said in the proposal.
Mr Wilson said yesterday he would be visiting the area to talk to representatives from all sectors in Mataura about their aspirations for the town.
From those discussions, he would refine the framework of the proposal.
"It is most important to engage the entire Mataura community," Mr Wilson said.
He acknowledged there were already a number of initiatives under way in Mataura - some under the umbrella of the taskforce - and he hoped the proposal would be developed to be complementary.
Stage two might include a makeover of Bridge St which would give it an "historic town" look.
Mr Wilson also envisaged a business retention programme be put in place.
Among ideas for stage two was to attract an investor to open a tea rooms and bakery and the appointment of a project co-ordinator.
It was expected stage two would cost about $43,000.
Mataura Taskforce chairwoman Laurel Turnbull said all stakeholders would be included in discussions about the revitalisation programme and that included retired American dentist Dr Jack Phillips who owned several properties on Bridge St.
Mrs Turnbull said it was vital to have everybody on board for the proposal to go ahead.
Now that Ravensdown and Solid Energy had announced it was investigating the siting of a $1.5 billion lignite-to-fertiliser plant in the district, it put the proposed revitalisation project on a more urgent footing.
"We were a very vibrant town when we had big industries in the town. Hopefully, we will be vibrant again with this proposal," Mrs Turnbull said.
Mr Wilson will spend 10 days in the Mataura/Gore district in October, November and December.
Mr Wilson is the founder and director of Heritage Futures International.
The company was founded in 2005.
Mr Wilson had worked in New Zealand and overseas.
He had recently worked in Somalia, West Africa and Malaysia.
Previously, he worked as a government national adviser on small towns, heritage tourism and community economic development.
He had helped more than 500 communities identify heritage assets for social, environmental and economic benefits.
He believed that if communities built vibrant, prosperous and authentic places based on their local heritage, assets and history where people wanted to live, work and visit, business and investment would follow, he said.
