Turoa awaits chair lift OK

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 526, 8 March 1994, Page 1

Turoa awaits chair lift OK

A decision on the Resouce Management Consent application from Turoa Ski Resort was still not made at the time the Bulletin went to press yesterday afternoon. A special Ruapehu District Council Hearings Committee meeting was held yesterday in Ohakune to consider an application for a land use consent under the Resource Management Act 1 99 1 to build a new fixed-grip quad chairlift on Turoa Skifield. Before going into committee to discuss the matter, members were invited to visit the site on the mountain. Members of the RDC Hearings Committee were Mayor Garrick Workman (chairman), Cr Graeme Cosford of Taumarunui and Cr Bob Vine of Waiouru. The proposed lift would run from near the top of the existing Movenpick Chairlift to above and to the east of the top of the Giant Chairlift, to cater for intermediate skiers. Two written submissions in favour of the application were received and one in opposition. Speaking at yesterdays meeting in support of the application on behalf of Turoa Ski Resort were legal advisors John Hassan and Toko Kapea of Chapman, Tripp Sheffield Young, company secretary Fin MacGee of Wanganui, Turoa Ski Fields operation and maintenance manager Mike Bayens, landscape architect David Mansbergh and acting Field Centre Manager for DoC, John Luff.

Also speaking in support of the application was Phil Abel (acting chairman of the RSBA). Submissions against the application were heard from Ross Wallis and Robert Grey on behalf of the Ngati Rangi Trust. Turoa Ski Resort noted the need for the proposed chairlift which would be a $2m investment. This lift would: provide intermediate and beginner skiers with safer, quality skiing; enable the resort to open sooner and close later and thus benefit the local (Waimarino) community by providing more employment opportunities in service industries for longer periods; provide rapid access Turn to Page 2