AN INNOVATIVE plan has been developed to guide the tiny rural township of Furner over the next decade.
Dating back to colonial times, Furner formerly had its own school, hotel and general store, but all have long closed.
Nowadays, the town has a small number of houses, an oval and licensed club, community hall, council depot, waste transfer station and a Country Fire Service brigade, while a council-operated cemetery is nearby.
The neighbouring farmland has a diverse range of agricultural pursuits, including the prominent Woonallee Simmental beef cattle stud.
The 2016 Census states the population of the Furner town and district is 121.
Wattle Range Council has developed plans for all of its 13 townships and its Furner blueprint was accepted at its December monthly meeting in Millicent.
The nine-page document was presented to the meeting on behalf of a subcommittee of Furner and district residents by council economic development manager Roger Babolka.
He said a plan has been developed in consultation with community members, sporting organisations, businesses, local farming residents and the wider Furner community.
“The community outcomes and projects developed during this consultation will assist Wattle Range Council with future strategic directions relative to infrastructure needs and budgetary considerations,” Mr Babolka said.
“The final Furner plan has been presented to council by a sub-committee driven by the Furner community members who volunteered to drive the project as a result of the initial town
planning meeting.”
Among the short and long-term aims of Furner residents are improvements to the district roads, the removal of mobile phone black spots and upgrades to the Furner hall, sports club and playground.
It is the hope of the Furner community that it regularly stages such events as the McGrath Foundation Pink Stumps cricket match, Speed Shears and a yearly visit by Father Christmas.
