Planning Day for Ohakune's future

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 428, 17 March 1992, Page 1

Planning Day for Ohakune's future

Planning Ohakune's future will be the aim of a special day to be held on Thursday 9 April. The planning session will be run with the help of Community Employment Development Unit staff, who are also working towards holding a 'Planning Day' for Raetihi (details of that day will be published later). A group of Ruapehu South Business Association people plus some other individuals are helping to set up the Planning Day. Anyone who is interested in the future of their town is invited to attend the meeting "The programme gives communities a chance to have their say about their future, under a well organised Planning Day," said Community Employment Adviser Garry Towler, who is helping organise the day. The Planning Day is part of the Ohakune Economic Renewal Programme which is based on the small town self help programme previously called "Bootstraps". The Philosophy of Bootstraps originated many years ago in Britain as a project to assist many of the country villages to not only survive but to make the best use of their own resources. In New Zealand the Community Employment Development Unit designed the programme taking the best parts from similar ones from around the world. On the night, everyone will assemble to meet the people who will run the programme and, after a brief introduction, people break into small working parties. "The process is very simple. A question is asked and everyone in the group is encouraged to provide a solution or answer," said Gary. "Once the answers have been recorded, a second question relating to the first is asked. This process goes on until the group has identified what the main issues are concerning the district and what they feel are the best solutions." Later, after snacks and a cup of tea, everyone comes back together and each working party presents their ideas which are then recorded on a main board. "Once all groups have presented their ideas it* s voting time," said Garry. "Armed with little sticky dots everyone studies the main board and votes on the ideas or issues most important to them by placing a dot next to that idea." The votes are then counted and the , top five confirmed as the most important issues facing the town. Then comes discussion and planning time to make the ideas a reality. "It's fun, it's completely free and it's important to you and your town," said Gary.