Ohakune people look to future

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 432, 14 April 1992, Page 1

Ohakune people look to future

There were no surprises but lots of enthusiasm for the future of Ohakune at last Thursday's Planning Evening. Tourism development, town growth, the Junction railway development, value added industry and conference/recreation facilities are the top five priorities for Ohakune. That is according to the community economic renewal planning process, which was run by Garry Towler from the Community Employment Development Unit, at the Ohakune Club, in conjunction with the Ruapehu South Business Association. About 50 people attended the Planning Evening, representing a broad cross section of the commur.ity including retailers, college pupils, slri industry people, motelliers, Marae representatives, mill employees, teachers and tradesmen. "I didn't really know what to expect," said builder Robert Horne when asked by the Bulletin. "I expected more specific actions to come out, but I'm not disappointed - we've got to start somewhere." "I was really pleased with the turnout which was a good cross section of the community," said Information Officer Rose Pepere, who handled most of the organisation for the meeting. "The results were good and now I hope it gets the follow-up it needs to get things moving." Following the Planning Evening, a meeting is to be held, Thursday 23 April, to discuss which of the issues or projects can be implemented and to

map out strategies for seemg them come to fruition. Garry told those present not to expect things to happen over night or even in the short term, but to look ahead five or ten years. The Planning Evening process saw people divide into groups to answer four questions put to them. First was "what do you like about Ohakune", followed by "What do you want Ohakune to be like in 10 years", then "what are our assets in and around Ohakune", then "what specific projects should our community pursue to lift Ohakune's economy". Through that process each group finalised five projects or issues that were important for the future of Ohakune, and from the four group 's lists, the five final issues or projects were voted on by all present. Tourism development was picked by most people as being important, with emphasis on New Zealand controlled development with Mount Ruapehu as a focus. Growth in summer tourism was seen as the area needing most attention. "Town growth", encompassing several issues, was the next most popular issue. Pulp mill expansion was seen as important for this, as was a cleaner image with less crime, better com-munications between the various groups in the community, more effective marketing of the town's drawcards (this included better signposting on the highway s), and improved local Turnpage2

Ohakune's future

From page 1 services to meet the needs of visitors and also locals (to stop the Teakage' of money to out-of-town businesses). Also suggested were festival weeks, both in winter and summer. The summer one would take in the A&P Show, the Rodeo and other countrytype activities to create an attraction that would draw people from the cities. The Ohakune Junction rail preservation project featured on all four groups' lists as being important for the future of the town. Along with this was suggested the development of a museum or museums depicting railway and timber milling history. Value added industry was seen as a way of creating more employment and bringing more money into the town. Suggested were the development of

small industries, for example, food processing plants to take market garden produce and increase the value of it before it is sold out of the district. Conference/recreation facilities featured on the lists of two of the four groups, with sports and cultural facilities also featuring on the lists of the other two groups. This heading covered such things as a covered swimming pool and an ice skating rink. Other issues/projects thought important but which did not make the top five were: the development of the Karioi hydro dam/recreation lake; a local radio station and the continued support of the local newspaper ( hear hear! - editor)-, building a residential/recreational college; care for our environment; and improved local transport (both internal and external).