A decked-out, bright blue, classic Bedford school bus is the driving force behind a Western Bay of Plenty District Council initiative to connect with the community.
The ‘Beddie' will travel the roads of the district during the last two weeks of July for the ‘Portraits of our Place' road trip.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council staff Glenn Ayo, Peter Hennessey, Mayor Ross Paterson, Ben Wilson and Kate Waterhouse with ‘Beddie'. Photo: Bruce Barnard.
Western Bay Mayor Ross Paterson announced today the venture is about getting out in the community and hearing from residents about what's important to them, their neighbourhood and where they see council fitting in.
'One thing we've learned over the years is that Western Bay residents expect their council to front up and listen to what's important to them – and the road trip is part of this.
'Yes, the ‘roadie' is a little different but as with many things in a rural district, someone had a mate, who knew a mate, who had a bus and was willing to help us out.
'We had a good feeling about the old bus, as it has been part of Western Bay life and that's what the road trip is about – talking to residents, finding out what's important to them and their community.”
Ross says six themes underpin the road trip, which he believes sums up the character of the Western Bay.
These are: community heart, land lovers, just coasting, nature nurture, kia kaha and bountiful bay.
'This will enable us to let our residents tell us whether these are values they still treasure. We want to talk to people, find out what's important to them and get some idea of how they want to engage with council in the future.”
Ross says feedback at this time will be helpful in light of recent talks about changes to local government.
'From my perspective, I know we're a strong, vibrant, hardworking district of 46,000 people. I encourage people to climb on board the old Beddie and tell us their story.''
On board the Beddie are colourful sets of six original illustrations depicting the roadie themes.
The illustrations feature in a series of postcards, some of which will be available as part of the roadie. Full sets of the cards and prints will be on sale after the roadie, as part of cost recovery for the project, with any profits going to Waipuna Hospice.
Schedule
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Monday, 14 July |
10am – 5pm, Katikati Countdown carpark |
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Tuesday, 15 July |
9am – 12.30pm, Te Puke Memorial Hall |
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Thursday, 17 July |
4pm – 6pm, Waihi Beach RSA, 99 Beach Road, Waihi Beach |
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Friday 18 July |
9am – 2.30pm, Old Fire Station, Main Street, Katikati 4pm – 6pm, Katikati Plant & Produce market, A&P show-grounds, Waterford Road |
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Saturday 19 July |
8am – 10am, Western Ave Reserve, Omokoroa |
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Sunday 20 July |
8am – 12noon, Maketu Market, Beach Road, Maketu Village Park |
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Wednesday 23 July |
9am – 12.30pm, Old Fire Station, Main Street, Katikati |
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Friday 25 July |
8am – 12noon, Omokoroa Domain carpark 2pm – 5.30pm, Te Puna 4-Square carpark |
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Saturday 26 July |
10am – 4pm, Te Puke Recycling Centre, 26 Station Road, Te Puke |
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Sunday 27 July |
11am – 12noon, The Orchard Church, 20 MacLoughlin Drive, Te Puke 2pm – 4pm McLaren Falls Park, information centre |
2 comments
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Posted on 04-07-2014 10:46 | By Whawhe
No visit to Matakana Island, surprise surprise, that's because they know what they are going to hear. Hundreds of thousands of dollars come off the island in rates and zero services from council.
OMG
Posted on 05-07-2014 07:03 | By Capt_Kaveman
what idiot dreamed this up, get elected and cruise around in a smelly old bus,self promotion here
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