The Community Development Unit works on team projects across the district and is also responsible for separate portfolios and areas of focus. The Unit works closely with elected members, reporting to and attending Community Board meetings. Community consultation is also a key role for the Unit.
Claire Symes - Community Development Team Leader
Claire will be working with the Patea and Waverley communities to identify projects for their Action Plans. Other areas of responsibility include the Coastal Walkways project.
Patea Pool Proposal
Claire is working with Patea Pool Relocation Committee which is working on developing the proposal to relocate the Pool to the Patea Domain. The committee is made up of community members, Council and a Sport Taranaki representative.
Coastal Walkway Project
Ohawe to Waihi Beach is one of the walkways being assessed for further development as part of the Coastal Walkways Project. This will include new standardised signage and promotional material for the walkways.
2010 Club Expo
An initiative from local clubs, the Community Development Unit project managed the 2010 Club Expo with 75 Clubs showcasing their activities and thousands visiting the event
Michele McDonald - Community Development Advisor
Michele is working with the Eltham and Opunake communities to identify projects for their Action Plans. Michele’s areas of interest includes environmental. She has experience in event and project management, marketing and promotion.
Eltham 125 Jubilee, 2009
15 events over 9 days saw the Eltham community celebrate 125 years in style. Community groups came together with their ideas which were developed into an action packed Jubilee programme coordinated by the CD Advisor. The community groups then organised sub committees to help plan and run the individual events in the programme
Stark Park, Eltham, Opening 2009
The Stark Park project was completed over 2 stages. 3 mosaic murals signifying special moments of Eltham’s history and 4 smaller murals of native birds have been installed, along with a rock carving specially designed and unveiled as part of Elthams’ 125 Jubilee celebrations.
Soldiers Park, Eltham
A community working bee was held to tidy up the walkway prior to Eltham’s 125 Jubilee Celebrations. This is an ongoing project and there is still much to further develop and maintain the walkway.
Richard Oliver - Community Development Advisor
Richard’s areas include Community Safety, disability and social services and Positive Aging. Events Richard has supported include the following:
Positive Aging Expo
Hundreds turned out to attend the Older Wiser and Still So Much to Do expo in the Hawera Community Centre on Thursday 26 February 2009. Aimed primarily at retired people the expo was to show the wide range of interests and activities they could get involved with in South Taranaki.
McGuire St Community Garden
Come-Uni-Care is a locally grown Community Garden project. Led by Deborah Wilson, this group uses a small area of Council ground in Maguire St, Hawera, to grow vegetables for the community and it helps support the Salvation Army food bank and the Hanger Youth Centre in Hawera. Come-Uni-Care is a home grown
Family Challenge Day
This is an annual event designed as a positive way to encourage families to have fun together. Organised by the Taranaki Safe Families Collaborative it involved other community groups in a wide range of family challenges.
