Future linked to past for Raetihi

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 531, 12 April 1994, Page 5

Future linked to past for Raetihi

Mainstreet group sets down town design guidelines

Raetihi should use its links with the past to boost its image for the future, the Winning Waimarino group decided at a public meeting held last week in Raetihi. A small number, about 20, of keen citizens turned out for the meeting to discuss the design concepts that should be given to the architect who will be drawing up the Mainstreet conceptual drawings for sprucing up the town. Organisers were disappointed that the meeting clashed with the regular monthly Waimarino Community Board meeting. "Raetihi' s uniqueness is that it is unchanged in "today 's fast changing world and that is a strength that can be built on," said Winning Waimarino interim coordinator Sue Allomes. The design theme could incorporate the many buildings with verandahs, painted in 'heritage colours' of cream, rust red, green and red roofs, with wrought iron detail work. The streets could be paved with large, solid paving stones. Historical features such as hitching rails should be kept, and areas designated for congregation of people, were identified as being outside Four Square and Dekker Machinery. Bernice Frost said there was a lot of support for the idea of keeping Raetihi 's mill or logging town look. She said verandahs should be kept and other shops could be done up with 1920' s style. Mrs Frost put forward the idea of building an authentic timber mill somewhere in the main street. She said a subcommittee had been formed to look into this scheme. The picture theatre was seen by the meeting as being an asset to the town that should belong to the town as a community building. People felt it should be restored and made a feature of Seddon Street. High priority was given to tidying up the north side of Seddon Street, with gar-

dening and landscaping using buildings as a feature. The area around the museum and public toilets provided an opportunity, with good landscaping, to pull visitors through Seddon Street and off State Highway Four. It was suggested the information centre should be at the museum, possibly in the old acclimatisation building once it is moved to the site. The pond at the entrance to the town should be landscaped with gardens and picnic tables to make it a nice place to stop, and a bush walk through to the motor camp were suggestions made. Concern was expressed at the meeting at some of the council' s actions, which people saw ascontributingtothe 'mess' in Raetihi. Old buildings had been taken down but so far no action had been taken on landscaping or tidying up the mess. Good signage was seen as a priority with Raetihi' s concerns about the lack of information signs being put forward as part of a research project being undertaken by Dennis Beytagh. Local health professional Rowena Kui said work on the new health centre was to start soon and that it should be finished by September. She said a definite decision on the site and plans is expected soon, once negotiations were complete. Cosmopolitan club representative John Dempsey told the meeting about the club's redevelopment plans. An idea to get children to paint murals on graffitied walls was put forward on behalf of Hope V aughn, who was not present at the meeting. Task Force Green had funds available but a further $600 was needed to top up the salary. A vote on priority order of projects put the picture theatre out first; then the north Seddon Street clean-up; beautifying the pond area; museum section clean-up; and lastly tidy bush walk and install signs