Projects need funding help

More than 40 community projects have been put forward for potential inclusion and funding in Waipa District Council’s 10-year plan.

Council called on community groups to formally submit any proposals they wanted funded over the next decade.

The council’s strategic projects team leader Conan Magill said ideas had come in from a range of groups including sports clubs, volunteer organisations and charitable trusts.

‘‘There are several requests to upgrade sports facilities as well as some road improvements,’’ he said.

‘‘We’ve had proposals to support economic development, cycleways and walkways and initiatives for art and history enthusiasts.

‘‘There have also been a couple of projects around community safety and social services.’’

Magill said councillors would consider all proposals against other funding priorities.

Work is underway putting together the draft 10-year plan which guides spending and investment priorities over the next decade.

Council has signalled it would spend an extra $100 million on water, wastewater and stormwater services.

One of the major projects proposed in the 10-year plan was the idea of developing a ‘‘discovery centre’’ in for the district in Te Awamutu.

The idea was raised at a recent council meeting but Waipa Mayor Jim Mylchreest said the proposal must stack up against other projects.

A discovery centre could bring together Te Awamutu’s museum and i-Site services under one roof.

There were no details on how much it would cost or whether all ratepayers, including those in Cambridge, would have to contribute to the project.

No avenues of funding had been identified yet.

Any formal proposal, including costs, would have to be included in the council’s 10 year plan.

Independent research identified a ‘‘clear market’’ for a discovery centre promoting the district’s unique character and identity.

Final decisions, including what is and isn’t included in the 10-year plan, will be made by elected councillors in mid-2018.