Olustvere rural municipality was established in 1876. Centre of the municipality has
been the manor mentioned already in 1424. Current complex of the manor was built by
duke Paul and Nikolai Fersen at the end of 19th Century and beginning of 20th. 1914 was
ready new administrative house in Taaksi and community centre was transferred there.
During the Soviet period, several changes in administrative structure were made so
that different parts of the current Olustvere municipality belonged to different village
soviets and even different rajoons.
1970s and 1980s were very good for rural development. A large complex of
Olustvere Agricultural School was built next to the Olustvere manor house. This complex
was also supported with additional CI like a basic school, a canteen, a sports hall, a
swimming pool, etc. Olustvere community built another sports hall by the Taaksi basic
school in 2001.
Sürgavere Collective Farm was also able to invest to the CI. In the mid 1980s they
started construction of a large sports hall and cultural centre, but could not finish this house
by the end of 1980s.
4.3. Joint CI planning process in Suure-Jaani area
Olustvere-Suure-Jaani joint development strategy process took place in 2001 and it
followed three basic stages:
1) data gathering and strategic analyse,
2) wider public participation and vision building, and
3) programming and implementation.
First stage took place March - May 2001, when was carried out an extensive data
search from statistics, documents and direct sources interviewing both officials and key
persons of all communities. Only one community had comprehensive plan from 1998.
Simultaneously started working temporary joint management group consisting of all
mayors and councils chairmen.
Four separate working groups were initiated for the most important directions by
the end of the first stage:
1) Education;
2) Infrastructure, land use and planning;
3) Entrepreneurship and tourism development;
20