Trust proposed for Raetihi properties

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 423, 11 February 1992, Page 3

Trust proposed for Raetihi properties

Setting up a community trust to take on empty sections in Raetihi has been suggested to the Waimarino Community Board. The Board is to consider the proposal put forward by Ruapehu District Council general manager Cliff Houston. Last year the council was asked by a group of Raetihi people to considcr a proposal whereby they would take over derelict properties in the commercial area, demolish them and tidy up the sites, then hold on to them until they could be sold. The group sought

rates relief from the council for the properties. The general manager has suggested the formation of an incorporated charitable trust to take on ownership of such properties. The council can then legally waive rates on the properties. The trust would only acquire properties after a rating sale or alternative procedures had not been successful. The trust would clear and maintain the sections, with some help from the council. The council would examine their possible use

and, if appropriate, make district scheme changes to allow their rcdcvelopment. The setting up of a trust would avoid the problem of a group fading out of existence, and would protect the interests of the council, said Mr Houston in his report. "It would be of vital importance to the success of this project that there is community acceptance of the trust," said Mr Houston. "The trust must not be perceived as an arm of the Council but the objects

of the trust should be approved by Council prior to its formation and the rules of the trust should provide a right for the council to appoint a member of the

governing board of the trust." Setting up a community trust would encourage community participation in dealing with unwanted land.