Creating a community plan for Bunnythorpe

Image shows aerial view of a playground with fence

We’re working with the Bunnythorpe community to build a plan for the future of their village.

A community plan helps communities come together to create a shared vision for their area. It’s also a great way to encourage collaboration between the community, councils, local iwi and other organisations, to make improvements that benefit everyone.

We need a plan so that future growth is done well

Bunnythorpe is likely to experience significant changes over the next 30 years, such as the development of a nearby regional freight hub and planning for the Manawatū Regional Freight Ring Road. It is important to have a community plan for the area to ensure these projects are informed by the values and identity of the Bunnythorpe community.

This plan will serve as a guide, highlighting the needs, aspirations, and values of the community, and may also influence any other projects and initiatives in Bunnythorpe and the surrounding area.

This is a process where the community leads the way

A community plan is a document that reflects the unique characteristics and needs of a community. It often covers a range of areas like:

  • identity, heritage, and culture
  • environmental sustainability
  • infrastructure and connectivity
  • economic development
  • health and wellbeing.

The process will begin with workshops where the Greater Bunnythorpe Community Committee and Council gather ideas and feedback from the community. These workshops will explore the community's values alongside the challenges and opportunities brought about by the village's future growth. In addition to the workshops, we’ll seek input from the wider community through social media and local events. We'll let you know ahead of time about these opportunities to contribute your say to the community plan.

Who is the Bunnythorpe community?

A key first step in developing the plan is to define who is part of the Bunnythorpe community. This includes people who live, work, learn, and regularly visit the village. Special attention will be given to those who will be most impacted by the regional rail hub development.

A good plan is one that evolves over time

Once the community plan is in place, it will be used to guide the KiwiRail hub project and inform decisions by Palmerston North City Council and Horizons Regional Council. It can also help the community to apply for funding and work with other organisations and government agencies.

As things change, the community plan will be reviewed and updated to reflect new developments and priorities.