Masterton council will want feedback on what to do with town hall. Any thoughts?
The Masterton community will help decide the future of Masterton’s Town Hall in a formal consultation planned for later this year.
The Council has been exploring the costs and benefits of building a new civic centre. It follows two initial rounds of consultation in 2017 and 2018 after the town hall building closed in June 2016 due to having an earthquake rating below the required standard.
Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson said those two public consultation phases indicated a preference for building a new civic centre, rather than strengthening the existing town hall building.
"Since that consultation we’ve thoroughly investigated our options for building a new centre, including whether there is demand for such a facility and the cost impact it will have on ratepayers,” Ms Patterson said.
“There are a range of possibilities, but each comes with its own risks and rewards and we want to give our community the opportunity to weigh up the pros and cons for themselves and decide which option it thinks is most appropriate.”
The consultation will present options from building a new centre retaining the existing façade and municipal building to completely demolishing the existing town hall and adjoining buildings (including the façade).
A tentative timeline for consultation has been set for later this year, post the local government election in October.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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85.6% Yes
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13.3% No
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1.1% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Railing planters
To gain extra growing space, make and hang these easy-to-build planters on almost any wooden fence or deck railing. Use Resene FX Blackboard Paint so you can easily identify what plants are in each. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.