Big mistake

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 578, 21 March 1995, Page 4

Big mistake

• It would be a huge mistake to allow any of the Mangawhero Ri ver reserve in Ohakune to be converted into a car park to service winter visitors to the Junction area. Not only would it destroy the significarit history of the river bank (the very first settlers camped and cooked 'beside the river as photographs of the period show) but it would also destroy the entire character of the area with its natural riverbank environment and attractive landscaping including picnic tables which are popular with our summer visitors. Moreover, the prospect of a constant stream of vehicle owners and their pas-

sengers (many of whom may have been imbibing at one of the Junction's hostelries) crossing one of the busiest thoroughfares and intersections in Ohakune (at least in the winter) should give serious cause for concem. The Queen's Chain (a public reserve 20m wide on each side of a waterway) is yet another reason for disallowing car-parking beside the river. No consideration should be given to providing car parks on the west side of Mangawhero Terrace (between the road and the river) until two alternative sites have been thoroughly investigated. These are: □ North side of Thames Street. There are already 40

angle car parking spaces along this side of the street but, between these and the railway line embankment, there is sufficient space for another 80 angle-parking spaces making a total of 1 20. Only one straight wide street with good visibility in either direction would have to be crossed to get to the restaurants, motels and ski hire operators on the opposite side of the street. Note: Thames Street once had (even as late as the 1960's) at least six buildings on this north side including an electrical shop, a barber shop, a billiard saloon, a draper, a garage, a dairy, a bookshop and a private dwelling together with an access road behind these buildings between them and the railway line. This area is partly occu^pied during winter months

by unsightly take-away fast food caravans. I understand this area of railway land is subject to a claim to the Waitangi Tribunal but this could take several years. In the mean time it could be converted into a temporary car park until the claim is resolved. □ Tyne Street. Running parallel with Thames Street and directly behind all the restaurants and ski hire premises in Thames Street, the north sideof Tyne Street has only three existing dwelling houses, two of which are dilapidated and possibly the original buildings on their respective sections. There are four sections backing directly onto those on Thames Street. Surely if some or all of these are acquired by Council (who have received funds from a local devel-

oper in lieu of providing spaces) from the present owners to convert into a car park (and I personally kno w of one prepared to negotiate a price), this would be the preferred option for several reasons: First of all it would provide direct access (possibly through a lane) into Thames Street to all of the above establishments. Secondlyit would mean no roads would have to be crossed by patrons on foot once their cars were parked in this area. Thirdly, by making this a 'secure' parking area a parking fee could be imposed to recover some of the costs of purchasing the sections and converting them into car parks. Fourthly it would provide local employment for a couple of car-park attendants. Fifthly, being a quiet street with access from

either end it would alleviate the congestion on Thames Street, Mangawhero Terrace and Rimu Street each of which are busy thoroughfares providing for through traffic. Finally, a car park would not be seen by the great majority of visitors who wish to enjoy the scenery as they drive up and down the mountain road between the township and the skifield and it would thereby prevent the despoilation of the pristine river reserve running the length of Mangawhero Terrace.

Dennis

Beytagh

Ohakune