RCL 'activity parameters' to be set by council

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 606, 3 October 1995, Page 1

RCL 'activity parameters' to be set by council

Concerns about the new garden centre in Ohakune, set up by the council' s commercial company, Ruapehu Construction Limited, were skirted around when it came up for discussion at last week's full council meeting. That was apart from a broadside from the mayor, Garrick Workman, aimed at an (unnamed) mayoral candidate who he said was making unfair political mileage out of the issue. Up for discussion was Ruapehu Construction Limited' s Statement of Corporate Intent document. The council chose not to discuss the specifics of the garden centre but accepted a recommendation from deputy chief executive Chris Ryan that a formal policy "setting out the parameters of the company' s activities" be drawn up for consideration by the new council. Part of the policy would be to set up better communications between RCL and the council, possibly through a special committee of council. 'The policy would set out what we expect of the company and how do we expect the company to operate," said Mr Ryan, saying he was suggesting a more detailed policy statement. "If we had done what' s been suggested at the beginning then we would not be in the position we are today," said Cr Eddie Turley, referring to the garden centre furore. Mr Workman was scathing in his criticism of the candidate, saying councillors had not "concerned themselves"

with the purchase of a Taumarunui garden centre last year. "I can't see why it is appropriate to retail in Taumarunui but its not all right in Ohakune." He said the council was already into commercial areas outside its normal operations, citing the bank and postal agency in Raetihi. "The fact that a mayoral candidate makes political capital out of it annoys me intensely. If we take it (commercial competition) to its extreme we (Ruapehu Construction Limited) could not operate at all." He said he believed the garden centre would enhance the garden businesses already in existence in the Waimarino by drawing into the area more people that would otherwise shop in Taupo or Wanganui. "It is not our intention to run anyone out of business or out of town," he said. After his speech, Mr Workman left the chair to deputy mayor Graeme Cosford for the discussion on RCL, as he is a director of the company. A number of councillors said they were embarrassed by the opening of the garden centre because they were not made aware that it was planned. They criticised the RCLRDC communications, saying at the very least they should have been aware. Ho wever, Mr Workman pointed out that the council was aware of the plans so it was the council' s communications, not RCL's, that were at fault.