Board supports Thames Street parking plan, opposes river plan

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 581, 11 April 1995, Page 5

Board supports Thames Street parking plan, opposes river plan

Car parking next to the Mangawhero River, Ohakune, lost the support of the Waimarino Community Board last Thursday, with the board instead opting for an alternative that would see an extra 29 car parks provided in Thames Street. The board resolvedto recommend to the Ruapehu District Council that the Thames Street option be initiated and that the proposal by Powderkeg developer Paul Scarf to provide car parking on the green area, designated road reserve, between Mangawhero Terrace and the river, be declined. The new proposal would see angle parking set out on both sides of Thames Street, the bus stop at the eastern end of the street moved into Tyne Street and Thames Street made one-way. From Mangawhero Terrace, traffic would enter the Junction area via Tyne Street and exit via Thames Street. Reasons Board members supported the proposal because: it would provide the maximum number of parks for the least cost; it was a better option for safety reasons; the option would provide parking for all Junction busi-

nesses whereas the river park would mostly be used by PowderZone patrons. Concems of the Department of Conservation over the river option regarding the beech trees and blue ducks could be mitigated, the board heard. Screen planting by the weir would help the blue duck problem, and by keeping the parking area away from the beech trees would avoid problems with earthworks around their root systems. Board member Ellen Gould said while she was in favour of Thames Street, there was less public resistance to the modified river proposal. The board heard that there was strong community opposition to the river car park proposal, with Bob Peck stating that Ohakune people "wanted to save what is green". He said the Winning Waimarino Mainstreet group was opposed to it. Other options included forming car parks: in Tyne Street; on railway land fronting Thames Street; on Railway Row; on the north side of the Mangawhero River; underground, overground; behind existing premises on Thames Street.