Gateway town has a look at its image | Wairarapa News | Local News in Wairarapa

FEATHERSTON people are re-doubling their efforts to improve their town's future, and its appearance.

A lengthy discussion paper on wide-ranging issues canvassing the town's perceived advantages and problems is included on a Featherston Community Board agenda for December 7.

Titled Strategic Plan: Featherston Community Board 2004-2007, it comes after a workshop held in October at which the whole future direction of the town, and the pros and cons of Featherston, surfaced.

It is intended to help the community board to develop a "specific niche" that could be marketed to Featherston's advantage.

Among a list of 43 identified "strengths" from an Our Town assessment are the town's many existing community organisations, its volunteers and its community spirit.

The town's proximity to Wellington, the fact it is the first and last comfort stop in Wairarapa, affordable housing and its historic significance were all seen as pluses.

Individual attractions that made it on to the list included, the children's playground, Featherston Golf Course, Fell Locomotive Museum, Memorial and Peace Gardens, Tauherenikau Race-course and the war memorial.

The plan also identifies 26 perceived weaknesses picked up in the assessment.

Featherston's 60-year-old public toilets, scruffy buildings, vandalism, not having a retirement home, few job opportunities and being the victim of bad press were included.

One identified weakness ? Featherston's propensity to wind ? may be beyond the ability of the town planners to solve.

Also to be discussed at the community board meeting is a bid by Featherston Toy Library to move into a purpose-built building, vacating the rented premises in the Featherston Plunket building.

The Toy Library committee is asking the board and South Wairarapa District Council to consider allowing it to relocate on council-owned land previously considered for the Featherston Bowling Club.

According to the committee, the existing toy library is in a room that is too small and could be unsafe because of heavy shelves in danger of toppling.

The room is so small it can accommodate no more than four adults and four children before they begin "falling over each other".