Council to sell its real estate

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 394, 9 July 1991, Page 5

Council to sell its real estate

A number of Waimarino properties owned by the District Council may soon be put on the market, including the previous Ohakune town clerk's residence, the Waimarino County Council offices and the Horopito Domain. Waimarino Community Board member Winston Oliver expressed strong opposition to the saies, saying he was against a "fire sale" of council assets with the

current depressed market. Member Bill Peach countered is reluctance saying there was a huge cost to council in retaining and maintaining properties. Also debated was what should happen to the proceeds of the saies. After some discussion all agreed with a recommendation from Mr Peach that a proportion of the proceeds from each ward should go towards the cost of the Ruapehu amalgamation, and that the rest should

be retained in special accounts to be spent only in the ward where it is raised. The council is currently reviewing the usefulness of its property for council and, where appropriate, putting it up for sale. The Board reviewed a list of properties so far examined and agreed with most of the working group's recommendations. There was some discussion on the future of the Horopito Domain and hall. It was suggested a public meeting should be held on their future. The board heard that there had been some such meetings in the past. "Perhaps we should retain the hall for holding public meetings on the future of the hall," chipped in member Bruce Thompson. The discussion on the Waimarino County Council offices was poignant, but short. Some members lamented the demise of the old "seat of the Waimarino."