Doc cautions on water proposal

Ruapehu Bulletin, 13 August 1991, Page 5

Doc cautions on water proposal

The Department of Conservation has been approached by the Ruapehu District Council to discuss the proposed upgrading of the Ohakune water supply. The water supply is located inside Tongariro National Park above Mangawhero Camp. At present the water supply is not treated. Previously DoC had agreed in principle to an upgrading of the pipeline down an old sawmill track to a site on Old Station Road, outside the park, where a treatment plant and reservoir could possibly be built. DoC and the former Parks and Reserves Board had considered this proposal to have acceptable environmental impacts. In consultation with the Department of Conservation the Ruapehu District Council has now considered that proposal and want to construct a treatment plant and reservoir at Mangawhero Camp. DoC considers this new proposal to have significantly more impact on the natural park environment. The department of Conservation support the Ruapehu district Council in their decision to upgrade the Ohakune water supply/ DoC is concerned however, that the environmental impact of the

chosen option and site be carefully considered. The preferred council option involves the construction of a reservoir and treatment facility at Mangawhero Camp, within Tongariro National Park. This proposal will be submitted at the next meeting of the Tongariro/Taupo Conservation Board on 13 and 14 September. The council's application will include a description of all options, both inside and outside of Tongariro

National Park, their environmental impact and the cost of each option. Regional Conservator for the Tongariro/Taupo Conservancy, Mr Paul Green, noted that the addition of treatment facilities could enable the uplifting of the present restricted access into the water catchment area. The council has been asked to consider this possibility as the current restriction contradicts the philosophy that national parks should have unrestricted access.