RSBA-Mainstreet merger mooted

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 597, 1 August 1995, Page 6

RSBA-Mainstreet merger mooted

In his report to the annual general meeting of the Ruapehu South Business Association in Ohakune last week chairman Jeremy Nash told of a very active year for the association with the main thriist being directed towards achieving the goals set out in the Winning Waimarino/Mainstreet programme. He said there had been delays in initiating and implementing the aims and objectives of this programme — including lack of sufficient funds in the early stages to employ a co-ordinator and commission a design consultant — but these have now been largely overcome with the appointment of John Achari of Wellington as a design consultant for Ohakune, Raetihi and Taumarunui. Other activities with which the RSBA has been associated in a coordinating, supporting or supervisory role over the past year were: the Montana Spring Festival in Ohakune and Raetihi; the Christmas market days in both towns; the-improvements to Jubilee Park and the installation of lighting; the Carnival of Wheels in association with the Wanganui Cycle Club and MTRO; the Wellington Car Club's ann aal rally; and a number of other promotional activities in the Waimarino. On the business side the RSBA has been working with the Kiwi Host programme through its training director David Squires and co-ordinator Sue Allomes and has initiated steps to establish 'Small Business' training programmes in liaison with Wanganui. In order to continue to serve the interests of the community Jeremy Nash said that the RSBA needs "more members, more support and more funds." In a verbal report to the AGM, Mainstreet chairman Robert Horne told of a "somewhat frustrating 1 2 months" prior to the appointment of a design consultant. After calling for financial assistance from the Ruapehu District Council in order to commission a design consultant, the position was advertised and three quotes were submitted. He said the quote from Wellington urban design consultant John

Achari was accepted and both John Achari and his assistant had been in the area last week to meet people and accept submissions. Horne said that despite no longer having a full-time paid co-ordinator (through lack of funding) the Mainstreet committee would continue to negotiate with John Achari during this vital period over the next few months while plans are being prepared. In her verbal report to the meeting former Mainstreet project coordinator Sue Allomes (funding for the position ceased in February) said that she would continue to serve in a voluntary capacity as and when time allowed to ensure the success of the project. This would now be done as a member of the RSBA committee instead of as a paid employee. She reported that over the two to three days John Achari was in the Waimarino last week more than 100 people in the Raetihi and Ohakune communities had consulted with him. She assured the meeting that the intention of the Mainstreet project was not to impose its ideas on any retailers or anyone else in the community but to seek to co-ordinate plans with the full approval of all concerned. The meeting concluded with an expression of opinion from the floor supporting the suggestion that Mainstreet and the RSBA merge as one body and that the incoming committee should also consider re-naming the RSBA as "Winning Waimarino" to achieve a wider representation of interests in the area. This would have to be done by calling a special general meeting and passing a resolution to that effect. The meeting re-elected Jeremy Nash as chairman and voted in Robert Horne as deputy chairman. The committee is largely the same as before, plus Angus Grimwade or Joanna Savage representing Turoa Ski Resort, Pennie Sands representing local retailers, Katie Bramwell (Ruapehu Information Centre), Bernice Frost (Raetihi Promotions), Paul Scarf (Powderhorn Chateau), Sue Allomes (Ruapehu Homestead) and Jarrod Coburn (Peak FM).