Light walk gains support

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 535, 10 May 1994, Page 3

Light walk gains support

A walkway both sides of the Mangateitei Stream, through Jubilee Park to the Big Carrot, complete with dozens of lights in trees, is the aim of a project that is already well under way. The Winning Waimarino (Mainstreet) group made representation to the Waimarino Community Board last week to seek support in principle for the project. The plan involves upgrading the tracks which already exist, erecting signs advising people of the starting points to the tracks plus directional signs along it, and lighting for part of the tracks behind Jubilee Park. Two options for lighting have been put forward. One involves placing six powerful floodlights at strategic points, while the other involves placing up to 60 low-wattage lamps up in trees, to show off their natural beauty. Interim co-ordinator Sue Allomes said the Department of Conservation has already started design work on the project but needed council approval as it was council land. DoC wants to implement the scheme as a theme for Conservation Week in August of this year.

Ohakune conservation officer Kareti Hawke said in her report on the proposal that DoC sees the aims as providing: adequate signs at all access points; a pamphlet for the information centre and DoC visitor centre to hand out; a poster promoting the walkway; removal of blackberry and other weeds and replanting with natives; instigation of an on-going litter removal programme. Ruapehu College and Ohakune Primary School have indicated they would like to be involved, said Mrs Allomes. Miss Hawke outlined how the schools would be involved. The Council was being asked to support the proposal in principle at this stage, said Mrs Allomes, so that DoC could proceed. Once costings were done on the lighting aspects, the RDC would be asked to budget for the ongoing cost of the power supply for the lights. This would be minimal, said group member Murray Swan, as it would probably come under the council' s street lighting power charge rate. Mrs Allomes said the council was not being asked to pay for the capital cost of the lighting, which was estimated at $ 1 0,900 for the small bulbs and $10,820 for six floodlights.