OK for snow

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 466, 15 December 1992, Page 6

OK for snow

• Two weeks ago j Mayor Garrick Workman ! expressed concern that the Tongariro National Park Management Plan permitted a reservoir for snow-making at Iwikau Skifield and yet Ruapehu District Council had their application for water storage and treatment at

Mangawhero Camp declined. There are several issues worth noting: • The Management Plan recognises the use of water for Ohakune from Tongariro National Park and the Ruapehu District Council were given the necessary approvals to upgrade their water supply. • Mangawhero Campsite is not an amenities area and the Management Plan stresses the need to maintain the park in its natural state. • Iwikau Skifield is an Amenities Area. Mangawhero Camp is a valuable asset to the public and particularly the people of Ohakune. The storage tanks and treatment facilities required at Ohakune were significant. Alternative siting outside the park existed and the facilities have been constructed at Soldiers Road. After inspecting these

facilities I am pleased at the decision made to exclude them from the park. Members of the public have supported this viewpoint. Tongariro is a World Heritage National Park and is an international asset. The skifield amenity areas have only been set aside in recognition of their special recreational values after considerable public debate. The fact that altemate skifields do, not exist in the North Island was a significant factor and the reason why snow-making is permitted at Iwikau Skifield. Paul Green Regional Conservator • I had the pleasure to attend a meeting of the Waiouru Community Board recently. I urge other Waiouru ratepayers to join me at the next one. How else will we keep our representatives accountable? What I saw

was a farce. One member of the board was the first speaker on every issue on the agenda - and a fair few that weren't on the agenda. There was only one instance when a member of the board disagreed with him. I guess that's consensus government but there are a few questions I'd like to ask publicly. Is it true that resealing Ngauruhoe St West will cost over $2800 - for the benefit of only three homes? What will be the cost to the community for the two street lights also planned for the same three houses? Did the Board consider the large number of civilian workers being shifted out of Army houses when they struck the provision of rental accommodation off their agenda? Or had this more to do with the fact that Waiouru rental accommodation is now at

a premium and prices are high? And is the sustaining of high prices also a consideration behind the continuing delay in developing further properties for sale? And finally, do eight people really believe a speed restriction sign is necessary on a dead-end road, less than 100m in length, servicing eight houses? Who can achieve 50km/h on Ruanui Street anyway? Independent Voice.