Te Kauwhata Community Plan.FH10
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2003 Our Village - Our Future VILLAGE Te Kauwhata lies in the north of the Waikato Justifiably proud of its viticultural heritage, District, and is aptly described as the rich stunning scenery, unique flora and local wildlife, horticultural basket of New Zealands central numerous talented craftspeople, and strong North Island. agricultural and horticultural base, Te Kauwhata provides a lifestyle and destination to suit a With a growing population (currently 1,095), wide range of interests. Te Kauwhata village offers a great lifestyle for young and old. There's a choice of housing Making the most of Te Kauwhatas great lifestyle and land options set in peaceful, rural and location requires planning for the present surrounds conveniently only 45 minutes from and future - whilst preserving elements of the Auckland and even less to Hamilton. The village past the community considers essential to its offers a hint of excitement and vibrancy as the character and appeal. village boasts - and hosts - some of the most Miranda exciting events and recreational opportunities in this region. In conjunction with its close neighbour, Rangiriri, Meremere Te Kauwhata offers visitors and residents a delightful gateway to the Waikato. Te Kauwhata Rangiriri WAIKATO DISTRICT Huntly Glen Afton & Pukemiro Taupiri Ngaruawahia Waingaro Horotiu Hamilton Whatawhata Raglan Tamahere Te Kauwhata Rangiriri Waikato District New Zealand Population 1,095 108 39,855 3,737,277 Occupied Dwellings 432 36 13,530 1,368,207 Ethnicity: NZ Maori (as a percentage of local population) 22.9% 30.5% 27.1% 14.7% Percentage aged under 15 years 22.5% 33.3% 26.9% 22.7% Percentage aged over 65 years 22.7% 9.8% 12.1% Source: 2001 New Zealand census of population and dwellings - area unit basis for Te Kauwhata - meshblocks 0938602 and 0936002 for Rangiriri COMMUNITY PLAN A community plan for Te Kauwhata and the This community plan will: surrounding area will enable current and · focus community debate and get people potential residents, visitors and investors to involved in making decisions and taking guide, and benefit from, the inevitable growth responsibility for Te Kauwhata and the and development that will occur in this area. surrounding area · help avoid haphazard development Your community plan is a collection of ideas · safeguard the community and protect what for action. It is a priority list of desired works we value about the environment and activities that the Community Committee · capture all good ideas and secure external has collected from public comment. funding for suitable initiatives Considering the social, cultural, economic and · assist Community Committee decision- environmental well-being of the people and making and allow more effective use of the community, the plan gives voice to local ratepayer funds aims and aspirations and provides an · help influence Waikato District Council's opportunity for involvement by all who are programme of works during its annual and interested in the future of this area. long-term planning processes · clearly identify the key partnerships that Local leadership on community planning, now, must develop between the community and will ensure that available resources are used local and central government agencies. in the best possible way by matching agreed community priorities. The plan is grouped into three key areas of focus: VILLAGE LIFESTYLE · Accommodation options · Employment · Community well-being and safety · Recreation and leisure VILLAGE LANDSCAPE · Essential services such as roads, water, refuse · Parks and reserves and natural features VILLAGE EXPERIENCE · Local features, history and culture · National and international events promotion NOTE: Projects are shown in order of priority based on the views of the Te Kauwhata Community Committee and feedback from the public consultation phase. 1 VILLAGE LIFESTYLE Accommodation Options A variety of lifestyle choices in and around · Control the amount of infill housing to retain Te Kauwhata beckon. With its rural surrounds a more open feel for urban areas the village offers home-ownership or rental · Establish a standard for rural-residential options for a range of section sizes and styles housing developments of living - lifestyle and small blocks, farms and · Encourage more residents by promoting farmlets, family or apartment-style housing, the village as a lifestyle location - close to and residential care for the elderly. major centres and recreational activities - Projects catering for all ages · Offer a variety of lot sizes while retaining · Assist prospective developers with rural features such as the trees and open appropriate accommodation options which spaces support the village theme of Te Kauwhata Community Well-being and Safety Providing for the health and welfare of residents · Support the principles of life-long learning includes considering their physical and by promoting opportunities for higher emotional well-being. Promotion of the village participation and achievement levels in lifestyle concept requires the reassurance of formal education (including Te Kauwhata safety and security. College, local primary schools and early childhood learning centres) Projects · Increase support for the 'neighbourhood · Improve street lighting and footpaths so watch' initiatives so that all residential areas that residents and visitors can make their are covered way around the village safely · Conduct local Safer Communities Council · Utilise the existing facilities as a focus for programmes, such as the safe with age celebrations and activities seminars, on at least an annual basis · Encourage participation in social education · Address excessive noise from things like opportunities like care and craft activities, traffic and recreation events music, the arts, and drama (There is a need to take into account noise · Work with youth groups to promote interest effects on property surrounding a house and membership from youth in the (not just at the house), with effort being put community into reducing the noise) · Promote equal access to health and social services and personal support · Provide kerbing ramps for mobility scooters at street corners and crossings 2 Employment Supporting local businesses and industry · Provide areas away from the main street makes the area attractive to shoppers and (and lake) and residential areas for industrial investors, which in turn builds the economy. activities · Ensure that access to buildings in Main Development should be staged in a planned Street is available from the rear of the shops way so that the unique character of Te · Organise a campaign aimed at supporting Kauwhata is retained. local business Projects · Look to develop and infill Main Street to · Encourage small to medium sized niche strengthen the village as a shopping centre industries related to wine making, food processing and tourism Recreation and Leisure The clean, green, wide-open spaces of the colours and theme, for example, with rural setting for Te Kauwhata are to be commissioned ironwork in the shape of a preserved. Areas designated as parks and conical trellis for trees/plants. The park reserves need to be designed to accommodate requires additional work, specifically: extra a range of users (themed gardens, rest areas, tables and chairs; continuation of the sports fields, playgrounds), carefully maintained chain/post fence; complementary planting and well signposted. Promotion of existing and and more signage to give the visitor options new leisure activities is to be encouraged, for their next stop again, within the character of the area. · Add to the village green/park by providing Promotion and greater utilisation of the Fitness an open area for recreation to the north of Centre and College facilities is recommended the current park - linked by a walkbridge - to maximise local and regional benefit. and plant with old varieties of trees, perhaps creating a heritage orchard attraction Projects · Encourage the community to support the · Work with Environment Waikato to improve Te Kauwhata Health Awareness Project the quality of the water in Lake Waikare · Investigate the development and promotion · Improve access to, and the facilities at, of the Domain as a camping site, with Lake Waikare: fence off the ponds; provide signage, additional tree planting and the a picnic table; replant around the lake; provision of (eco) toilet facilities promote it as a venue for kayaking, cycling · Identify the recreation and leisure needs of and running events for local schools or the youth (beyond skateparks) national events · Identify and purchase land of strategic · Continue with the development of walkways significance to the town - scenic spots, and cycleways around the village and Lake historical sites Waikare, and between the two - ensuring · Improve parking facilities, signage and that the surface and width is suitable for all traffic control in recreation areas users - and link with heritage trails and other points of interest, and the National Wetlands Trust development · Develop the village green at the entrance to the Main Road showcasing the village 3 VILLAGE LANDSCAPE Essential Infrastructural Services Enabling movement of people, goods and services around the area with ease and safety is the goal. Adequate roads, footpaths, water, refuse collection and waste minimisation are all essential services for a growing community. Projects · Specific roading/transportation works include: Area Work Village entrance · Extend Te Kauwhata Road to join Main Road, to straighten