INDEPENDENT NEWS

New year brings new scope for Waiheke project

Published: Tue 10 Jan 2006 03:28 PM
10 January 2006
New year brings new scope for Waiheke project
Auckland City has broadened the scope of investigations into the future of Waiheke's library and service centre to include the island's Artworks facility.
The aim of the detailed investigation is to identify the best option for the future of the library and service centre and to develop a strategic plan for the Artworks complex.
Auckland City's group manager of community planning, Mark Vinall, says it makes sense to consider all three facilities when developing future plans.
"These three facilities all have key roles to play in Waiheke's community and it's important that we take a holistic approach. We need to ensure that the future development of all three facilities is co-ordinated and complementary.
"That will require listening to the community's needs and wishes for all three establishments. We will also be gathering information about the best possible options for the library, service centre and the Artworks complex," he says.
The council needs to determine the best future option for the library and service centre because both are too small and inadequate to meet the needs of the growing community.
A working party of elected officials has been formed to provide input on plans to upgrade the library and service centre. That group will now also consider a strategic plan for the future of Artworks.
The working party is made up of elected officials from the Community Development and Equity Committee, the Planning and Regulatory Committee and the Waiheke Community Board. The working party consists of: * Councillor Cathy Casey * Councillor Leila Boyle * Councillor Faye Storer * Councillor Glenda Fryer * Councillor Graeme Mulholland * Waiheke Community Board Chairman Ray Ericson
The working party will get to grips with the issues surrounding the three community facilities at its first meeting in January.
"This stage of the project is very much about research and gathering information. That information will help the working party provide valuable insights on potential future options.
"The working party will work very closely with the project team and I'm sure we'll get a preferred option that will serve Waiheke well into the future," Mr Vinall says.
A decision on a preferred option for the future of the Waiheke library and service centre should be made by the middle of 2007.
ENDS

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