Mainstreet presents review of activities

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 561, 8 November 1994, Page 14

Mainstreet presents review of activities

Last week Mainstreet co-ordinator Sue Allomes presented the Winning Waimarino committee with a review of progress to date. The following report was prepared from that meeting: A grant of $30,000 from the Department of Labour's Community Employment Group (CEG) towards the funding of Waimarino' s "Mainstreet' programme in December last year provided the communities of Ohakune and Raetihi with the means to function effectively and achieve objectives over the past 1 2 months. The grant, madeon 15 December 1993 viathe Ruapehu South Business Association was to enable the co-ordinating Mainstreet committee to employ a full - time facilitator/co-ordinator (using recognised employment search methods) in order to raise funds and so ensure the continuity of the project. Targets set by the Mainstreet committee for the first 12 months of operation included the following objectives which were to be achieved by the end o.f the 12 month funded period. • Design consultancy for the Ohakune and Raetihi townships. • Development of four local and national promotional activities. • Completion of six community beautification initiatives. • Completion of a Business Skills Training Seminars with three follow-up sessions. • Undertake promotional visits to towns which generate visitors to the Ruapehu/Waimarino area. The appointment of a full time facilitator/coordinator this year was made after the position was advertised both locally and nationally with additional assistance from the NZ Employment Service and after joint consultation between the chairman of the Ruapehu South Business Association (RSBA) and mainstreet. Mrs Sue Allomes of Rangataua was the successful applicant and she immediately started implementing the 12 month programme outlined above. Outcomes to date (20 October 1994) are as follows; Design Consultancy With a grant of $10,000 provided by the Ruapehu District Council and in conjunction with the Taumarunui Mainstreet project, tenders were called for from townscape architects

and urban design consultants nationwide. Four comprehensive submissions were received by the time tenders closed in mid October. The Mainstreet committee has assessed these submissions and is currently negotiating with one of the design consultants. Local and national promotional activities These have included: • Assisted with the TVNZ 'Heartland - Easter Hunt' programme by acting as facilitators between the programme' s researchers and the community. • Acted as facilitators in co-ordinating off-the-mountain events in Raetihi, downtown Ohakune and the Junction auring the MontanaOhakune Spring Ski Fest 24 September to 2 October 1994. • Assisted with media and marketing coverage of Ohakune' s Easter Hunt and Raetihi' s Axeman's Carnival. • Helped organise Patrick Cooper's welcome home after his gold-medal winning performances at the Disabled Olympics in Oslo, Norway. Beautification initiatives • Worked with community groups, Department of Conservation and Ruapehu District Council staff to upgrade the Jubilee park Walkway in Ohakune by initiating the concept of developing this under-utilised park and walkway. Work on the walkway will be continued during the summer months. • Assisted with the development of an overall plan for the 'welcome to Historic Raetihi' signs at the north, south, east and west approaches to the town. • Initiated the concept and facilitated with the planning for developing and landscaping the Raetihi pond on the outskirts of town. Three of the beautification initiatives have yet to be identified and completed. Business Skills The three business skills seminars which were to be held in Ohakune and Raetihi during the year have now been completed. They dealt with Retail Design and Marketing and proved to be a value to those who attended. Promotional Visits To date the only promotional visit to places which generate visitors to the Ruapehu/W aima-

rino region has been to attend and participate in the Auckland Trade Travel Show. The time factor and the expense of travel and accommodation has limited the opportunities to visit other centres and it has been decided that this activity falls more appropriately within the scope and budget of the Ruapehu District Council' s marketing manager to promote the region both nationally and internationally. In achieving most of the stated aims and objectives well within the 1 2 month period allocated Sue Allomes has sought, and been provided with support from both local and national press and other media at little or no charge. In particular she acknowledges the support of the Ruapehu Bulletin which has provided editorial space and of Peak FM and Ski FM for providing generous air time to facilitate communication and involve the local community. Other methods have included numerous public meetings, private consultations, and liaising with a wide cross-section of local businesses, government departments, local authorities, service clubs and private individuals. These include: Ruapehu District Council, Waimarino Community Board, Department of Conservation, the accommodation industry, the Raetihi Promotions Group, Raetihi and Ohakune information centres, Ohakune retailers, Junction businesses, Ruapehu College, Maungarongo Marae, Rotary, Ohakune Hotel Gaming Trust, Ruapehu South Business Association, Taumarunui Mainstreet, ProTaum and others. A further grant of $10,000 from the Ruapehu District Council to assist with the administration of this position will provide funding for a fulltime facilitator/co-ordinator until April 1995. Projects such as Mainstreet are created to generate economic renewal in communities such as those in the Ruapehu region. The success of the Winning Waimarino Mainstreet project can be assessed by comparing employment and business development and growth in the past 6 months since the project was launched. • Business which have upgraded premises;9 • New businesses; 6 • Business sold: 1 • Business ceased: 1 • New staff employed: 30