Bunnythorpe Community Plan
The Bunnythorpe Community Plan is a collaborative project, created with the community, for the community. It aims to reflect local values and to build a more connected and cohesive Bunnythorpe.
Bunnythorpe is likely to experience significant changes over the next 30 years, including development of the nearby Te Utanganui Central New Zealand Distribution Hub and KiwiRail Regional Freight Hub and planning for the Manawatū Regional Freight Ring Road. It’s important that there is a community plan for the area to ensure these projects are informed by the values and aspirations of the Bunnythorpe community.
The plan’s purpose is to provide a map of the journey over the next 25-30 years. While not a statutory document, it can be used by the community and other agencies as a reference to guide and inform planning decisions, infrastructure projects, and funding applications for community initiatives.
Protecting things worth keeping, and promoting positive change
The plan sets out key values the community has indicated they’d like to preserve as Bunnythorpe grows. These include maintaining the rural character, local heritage and strong community ties.
Feedback for the plan consistently highlighted a desire for stronger social connections, with shared spaces and community events where people can come together and enjoy each other's company. Improved safety, along with more opportunities for recreation and environmental projects, were also key priorities. The community also wanted shared input into decisions involving the village and open honest conversations with partner organisations that work with them.
This plan is to be used as a community-led guide. It is not a list of projects that the Council or other agencies will automatically fund or deliver, or a substitute for further engagement on specific projects. Instead, it’s a road map that puts Bunnythorpe residents in the driver’s seat to shape their future.
As things change, the community plan will be reviewed and updated to reflect new developments and priorities.
Read the full community plan(PDF, 2MB)