Action called over Featherston 'pit'

EYESORE: The vacant land in the heart of Featherston referred to by a town Ginger Group as the shingle pit. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Frustration over delays in creating a town centre in Featherston on land left barren after Trust House abandoned plans to build on it may have fuelled the call for a public meeting.

Concerned Citizens, a Main Street ginger group, is calling on Featherston people to attend the meeting in the Kiwi Hall on Monday in an effort to have something done about the "shingle pit" in the middle of town.

The barren land was given to South Wairarapa District Council by Trust House in exchange for land elsewhere in the town but nothing had yet been done to develop it as a town centrepiece.

In June South Wairarapa mayor Adrienne Staples said the council was finalising a design and getting costs for work to be done but the Concerned Citizens group is not satisfied with the rate of progress.

Posters have been prepared to go up around the town advertising the meeting and there had been an extensive pamphlet drop to mailboxes.

The group also wants to have assurances from the council that the extensive work being done to Martinborough Town Hall, estimated to cost more than $6 million, would not impact on work on the Featherston Town Centre.

The group sought a quote from a South Wairarapa company to spread top soil over the shingle area and grass it.

A price of $8000 plus GST was received but it is understood the council had not agreed to have the work done and to pay for it.

The Ginger Group has framed questions in writing to allow Mrs Staples and the council representatives who will attend Monday's meeting time to prepare answers.

These relate to plans the council may have for the vacant land, why the council would not consider grassing it and the timing and projected costs of completing a town centre plan for Featherston

The group is also seeking answers in the wider context to the programme for tidying up and painting all council-owned buildings along the state highway and in the town including the Menz Shed and the Library and Information Centre.

The council is also being asked to explain its thinking or plans for financing Martinborough Town Hall.

Specifically any shortfall, or whether a targeted rate is district wide or relates to only to Martinborough residents and businesses.