This Community Plan covers the Omakau township and surrounding area.
The Omakau community's vision is to have a thriving (and welcoming) community, with a peaceful rural character and excellent amenitites, that provides a safe, sustainable and exciting destination for visitors and residents alike.
Some of the key points that came out of the plan include:
- Determine ongoing maintenance and development of the Omakau Hall
- Develop a map of the town that displays interesting places to visit, activities and services
- Install signage, from the rail trail and town centre, directing people to the public toilets at the Domain
- Create low maintenance beautification plans for Omakau's public spaces, in consultation with the landowner, and implement community working bees to achieve these plans
- Develop better communication links with Council.
To view the Omakau Community Plan 2014 click here.
Omakau Community Facilities Feasibility Study
The Omakau community recruited Global Leisure Group (GLG) to undertake a feasibility study and needs assessment for public-use community facilities in Omakau, the Manuherikia and the Ida Valley. Omakau's two facilities for larger group gatherings (the hall and rugby clubrooms) are both aged and need alot of money spent on structural improvements and modernisation. The feasibility study process investigated population trends for our region, gathererd community feedback on current and future usage requirements, looked at comparative facilities in our own and other regions, and evaluated construction and ongoing maintenance costs.
The report on their findings and recommendations can be found here: <insert link>
Key recommendations include:
- To construct a new multi-purpose community 'hub' at the Omakau Domain to replace both the hall and rugby clubrooms.
- Include partitioning walls and storage to cater for a range of community uses and activities
- The building footprint should be around 600 square-metres, with a total build cost of $3 million
- The facility should be operated by a community organisation, with member representation from the user groups
The Omakau Recreation Reserve Committee has volunteered to take the lead in progressing the report recommendations. The first step in this process is to share the report with the community and hear their views and feedback. Representatives will be meeting with local groups and holding a community drop-in session to discuss the report and what needs to happen next.