By Kelvin Holmes, chair of the Methven Community Board

Methven has changed heaps in the past 15 years. There’s been population growth, new commercial activities, diversity, and the needs of our community have evolved.

The Methven Community Board wants the whole town to evolve and so we are reviewing Methven’s strategic plan and we need to hear what the community wants!

The first strategic plan was done in 1997 and reworked in 2009 after consultation with the Methven community. In 2014 there was a stocktake which highlighted the number of goals that were achieved off the back of these two plans. Some highlights include the skate park, and the redesign of the town centre.

We know that this is a process that works so we want to revisit it and see Methven into the future. The aim of the consultation is to hear the community’s views.

We are holding two workshops (the workshops are the same, so you only need to attend one), one on 28 November (6.30pm–8.30pm) and a second on 1 December (3pm– 5pm), both at the Mount Hutt Memorial Hall.

As well as the in-person workshops, people can give their feedback through a short survey that will be delivered to Methven mailboxes next week, or available online from Monday 18 November. You can do the survey through this link; itsourplace.nz and it is very much encouraged. Submissions close 22 December.

We want this review to highlight the community expectations for the next 10 years and celebrate the accomplishments of the past. It is about what we can do better, what could have been done better and what the future might look like for the Methven community.

The Methven Community Strategic Plan is our plan, assisted by Council, and your involvement is critical to our future as a thriving town.

We welcome your attendance at one of the two community meetings and/or by submitting online. All suggestions will be considered by the Methven Community Board.

So, what do ya reckon, Methven? It’s time to have your say!