Confusion surrounds Twizel square upgrade

Ideas have been suggested for an $100,000 upgrade of Twizel’s Market Square but it is unclear where the money will be spent.

A preliminary upgrade report, tabled at a Twizel Community Board meeting on Monday, says the Mackenzie District Council is initially prepared to spend $100,000 on the project and the upgrade was raised with mayor Graham Smith at a September Twizel Business Group meeting.

Smith said yesterday there was confusion at Monday’s meeting surrounding when the upgrades would begin, and what the money would be spent on.

‘‘There’s not a firm plan on exactly where the money is going to be spent.’’

Smith said there was an initial budget of $400,000 but the community board felt this was too much to spend.

‘‘We’ve done a lot of work there already. It’s really quite an attractive place, but it does need constant upgrading.

‘‘I was there on Monday. I wandered about and I was quite impressed, and quite pleased with the way it was looking. There are always things to be done there.’’

The upgrade was flagged in the council’s 2018-28 Long Term Plan (LTP), saying it would consult with the community further regarding the scope of the project.

A budget amendment would be made if required to meet the needs of the community, the Long Term Plan says.

The upgrade report says ideas include building schist stone work about existing wooden poles outside shops, beautifying the area outside the council office, making the display area more practical for seating, painting all poles outside shops as some were ‘‘worn looking’’, planting more flowers and plants, putting seating and tables in grass areas that are not part of any eatery, putting seating under the trees next to the playground, putting seating at wifi stations, putting in large rocks, upgrading existing tree shrub and tussock areas, resurfacing and colouring concrete areas, watering grass during summer months, and providing more shade options.

Schist stone work would be ‘‘just too costly’’, the report says. ‘‘It would be good to come up with a cheaper option.’’

The report was in favour of seating under the trees next to the playground.

‘‘As long as some of the rocks are kept and trees.’’

The report also suggests expanding wi-fi to the entire Market Place.