Monday 14 May 2018

More than 370 people have had their say on the future of Levin Town Centre at Council’s Transforming Taitoko/Levin pop-up shop since it opened on Thursday 26 April.

The pop-up shop, a shipping container painted by local students with colourful murals and located in the Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō carpark, gives people the chance to have their say on six big considerations that affect the future of Levin. The considerations include: activating and diversifying the town centre; changing the focus of the town centre from north-and-south to east-and-west; earthquake-prone buildings; the proposed expressway; transport options; town centre identity.

Horowhenua District Council Strategic Planner Lauren Baddock said there have been some great ideas in the feedback received so far.

Ideas put forward included creating space in the centre of town for gardens, an ‘ever-changing art space’ for local artists to display their work, better public transport options, residential living spaces above shops, and making Oxford Street more pedestrian-friendly, she said.

Ms Baddock said the pop-up shop had generated considerable interest, and people appreciated having an easy and accessible way to contribute to Council’s Draft Transforming Taitoko/Levin Town Centre Strategy.

“People can just drop by, write their ideas on sticky notes, and attach them to one of the posters corresponding to each of our six big considerations. It’s very easy and only takes a few minutes,” she said.

She encouraged people to visit the pop-up shop, share their ideas and feedback, and talk to Council officers.

“We also really appreciate those people who take a copy of the strategy away with them and then provide more detailed feedback,” she said.

“If you haven’t been to see us yet, come down and let us know your vision for the town centre. We want to know what we need to consider to make Levin Town Centre ready for the future.”

Council is running two competitions to encourage people to come along and have their say. Adults who visit the pop-up shop to provide feedback can go into the draw to win a $100 New World voucher, and children can win a family movie pass or swim pass in the Transforming Taitoko colouring-in competition.

The pop-up shop is open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 2pm on Saturdays, until Friday 18 May 2018.

The Draft Transforming Taitoko/Levin Town Centre Strategy is available at the pop-up shop, on the Have Your Say page of Council’s website, or in any Council service centre or library.

ENDS

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