Station sold

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 285, 2 May 1989, Page 1

Station sold

The Ohakune Railway Station has been sold to Ohakune businessman Mr Chris Allum, owner-operator of the adjacent New Sensations alternative sports centre.

Mr Allum plans to incorporate the building and surrounding land with his current premises "in a manner sympathetic to the his-

torical significance of the station," according to Rail Properties division of New Zealand Railways. "Railways is confi-

dent that Mr Allum's development of the station will enhance the area and be a natural extension of the Thames Street commercial centre opposite," said Wanganui area property manager Meg Russell last week. "Mr Turnpage 8

Ohakune Junction station now privately owned

Frompagel Allum intends to provide facilities for the comfort of rail passen-

gers in conjunction with his business enterprise." Mrs Russell told the

Bulletin last week that Railways had decided not to sell the station to the Ruapehu South

Business Association because the corporation's intention is to divest itself of such assets and that selling to RSBA Could have meant further financial involvement for Railways with the station. Annual grant She said RSBA had suggested in its proposal that Railways would make an annual grant for running the station as well as helping with the acquisition of a steam engine and rolling stock. "If Railways had wanted to keep a financial interest in the station we would have retained it," said Mrs Russell. She said the decision was not taken lightly or carelessly, and that she admired RSBA for their efforts and the quality of their j proposal. "It was not a nice decision to have to make," she said. RSBA did not have

first option on the station, said Mrs Russell, and that the Association and Mr Allum were competing on an equal footing to buy it. She said both were advised of the terms of sale at the same time. While Mr Allum has indicatcd he will use the station to provide facilities for rail passengers that is not a condition of the sale, said Mrs Russell. Station access However, unrestricted access to the station platform must be available at all times for rail passengers, she said. RSBA is to meet tonight and will not make an official statement until after that meeting, chairman Sue Allomes said yesterday. Some RSBA members the Bulletin has spoken to have expressed mixed reaction, from mild disappointment along with good wishes for Mr Allum and the

hope that he will provide a good facility for visitors, to bitter disappointment and dissatisfaction. Tm happy that it's not going to stay a boarded up hulk," said one RSBA member. Private station Chris Allum told the Bulletin yesterday he had signed the agreement to buy the station last Thursday, making the Ohakune Junction Railway Station the only privately owned one in the country. "We aim to have the nicest Railway Station in New Zealand," he

said. He said he is considering a number of business options for the building to earn a return on his investment. As well as providing facilities for rail passengers he said the idea of a ticket office and parcels dispatch service could be on the cards. Also, he said RSBA have been offered space for their use. Mr Allum would not say how much Railways were asking for the station, just that it was "a good price". "We paid what Railways wanted," he said.