Kokako Road closure issue drags on

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 644, 9 July 1996, Page 5

Kokako Road closure issue drags on

The saga of the closure of Kokako Road in the Ruatiti Valley continues, with a number of ob jections to the closure meaning the matter will now go to the Planning Tribunal. The council resolved in February last year that "the section of Kokako Road running through Mr Rawnsley's property be closed and that an alternative route down the eastern boundary of his property be created". The issue has been on the council table now for a number of years. The alternative route was to be vested as an esplanade strip. Ruapehu District councillors were told at their last meeting that objectors to the stopping of the paper road included Public Access New Zealand, Ken Malcolm, I R Davis, A E Hutchings, B J & B L Sturgeon, Waimarino Deerstalkers Association, E B & M J Williams, R G Silcock and J Flemming. Submissions were also received in support of the closure from the Taumarunui Tramping Club, B & G Rawnsley, S Martin, J Creedmore, I S Gibbs. The council is to invite objectors and supporters to address the council on the matter. Any question of status of submissions would be left to the Planning Tribunal, councillors were told. Normally, submissions in support are not considered by the tribunal. "In preparing the council' s case I would think the submissions in support of the proposal could be incorporated," said council chief engineer Bruce Dobson. The council would be the applicant when it goes to the tribunal. As to costs, Mr Dobson said the original resolution to close the road was based on Mr Rawnsley paying all of the costs. "If the council committee decided that it is appropriate to proceed with the road closure application it should also seek a confirmation from Mr Rawnsley that he is prepared to continue paying the costs. The costs of taking the matter to the Planning Tribunal could be considerable."