Truck-stop anticipates Raetihi growth

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 504, 21 September 1993, Page 1

Truck-stop anticipates Raetihi growth

by

Shelly

Shearsby

Caltex are in the process of moving their Raetihi truckstop from the Barrett and Taura depot in the railway subdivision to a site beside Starline Services on the Parapara Highway. When Raetihi was a borough an industrial area known as 'Railway Subdivision' was established for industrial purposes and Caltex set up their truck-stop in that industrial part of town. Caltex have no w decided that the old depot is no longer the ideal site as it does not meet strict environmental standards nor does it have the facilities that are needed for an un-manned truck-stop such as containment for spills, or a kiosk. They decided that the money would be better spent on a new, more visible location rather than upgr ade the old depot. The new site is on the main road and a 50,000 litre double-skinned fibreglass tank with fibreglass pipes has been installed. Two diesel pumps will be operating from the tank and a card-pay system like that at Starhne will be used. Caltex have taken a long-term approach, taking into account future forestry gro wth in the area and the f act that the Council is trying to divert traffic off the Desert Road. The task of relocating an un-manned truck-stop is not as big as redeveloping a service station and the job should be finished by the middle of October, though it is still a six-figure operation. "It is an investment and our people have investigated it to make sure that it is the best place for it," said corporate affairs manager Peter Hayes. "We are pleased. to be able to offer a move that is convenient for cus tomers and we do hope that it is good for the community." A Caltex engineer had to be on site for the operation to oversee the contractors, Byfords of Taihape, putting in the tank. Mr Derecourt, marketing engineer for Caltex, came up from Christchurch to oversee the operation. Raetihi is on the shortest route from Auckland to Wellington so it makes a lot of sense to have a diesel truck-stop.