Waimarino's 1996 in review

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 670, 21 January 1997, Page 10

Waimarino's 1996 in review

The following are some of the sto ries covered by the Ruapehu Bulletin in 1996. BNZ justifies Raetihi Closure The Bank of New Zealand in January claimed significantly decreased customer volumes led to the closure of Raetihi 's BNZ agency, with the intention to auction the historic building announced at the same time. Nasty Australian not a newcomer The white tailed spider, that packs a nasty pinch, was found in the Waimarino, but it wasn't a first, with the beasty known in

these parts for more than 100 years. Army mortars kill wild horses An inquiry found that 12 Kaimanawa horses had been killed accidentally by army training mortar fire. Raetihi and Ohakune look at rugby amalgamation Raetihi Rugby Club hosted a combined meeting with Ohakune Karioi Rugby & Sports Club on the issue of the future of Waimarino rugby. Huge turnout for successful Ohakune School centenary More than 1000 people attended the centennial reunion of the Ohakune Primary School and District High School, opened by Mr and Mrs Mischewski. Mixed *96 bag likely for Ruapehu tourism Ruapehu District Council marketing manager Bruce Rollinson was predicting a mixed bag for Ruapehu tourism, with depressed overseas markets and a diverse regional spread throughout the country. Visitor centre for Pipiriki planned A tripartite agreement between the Ruapehu District Council, Department of Conservation and Pipiriki Incorporated was outlined, whereby the three would join forces

to provide a visitor centre for the southern gateway to the Whanganui National Park. Raetihi BNZ building unsold Raetihi' s BNZ building failed to reach the reserve price at auction, with the top bid being $35,000. Waimarino property prices climb Valuation New Zealand reported that Waimarino rural and Ohakune urban property markets continued to a strong upward trend. Carrots for export plan draws growers together A number of carrot growers were behind a new contract export carrot packing house which opened in February 1996, in the old King Country Energy depot in Old Station Road. Pipiriki Road works to cost extra $1.1m Work on upgrading Pipiriki Road was to cost $2.9 million, not the $1.1

million as first estimated, following a detailed study of the proposed work. $7500 fine for illegal fire place A man who built a free standing fire place without a building permit was fined $7500 and ordered to remove the fire place. Rubbish services to be reduced to cut costs In March the Ruapehu District Council announced that dump opening hours would be cut, commercial rubbish collection services would be downgraded and trade refuse charges introduced in an effort to reduce the cost of operating council rubbish services. KCE gives away $600,000 King Country Energy gave $600,000 of its profits back to customers, in the form of free power for a month. Dairy folk look at Ruapehu farm land Dairy industry people were looking around the Waimarino for land suitable for dairy conversions. Urban revamp plans on show next week Waimarino's Mainstreet Project plans for Raetihi and Ohakune were on show, for comment and suggestions. Snow and sleet cause problems Unseasonal winter weather dumped snow and sleet on cyclists in the Carnival of Wheels Round Ruapehu Classic in March. Council to buy $1 .8m quarry business In April the Ruapehu District Council announced plans to buy a Taumarunui quarry, to secure supplies of road works metal. Ruapehu crater bulges, still off limits A dome of solidified lava had pushed its way to the surface of the refilling Crater Lake, prompting renewed warnings for people to stay way from the crater. Miles of smiles and the Raetihi 1 00th More than 1000 people gathered for the Raetihi School centennial. Ruapehu facilities adequate: sports plan Ruapehu District had an over-abundance of sports facilities, according to a sports and recreation plan prepared for the Ruapehu District Council. Shaun wins national motocross title Raetihi' s Shaun Fredricksen was New Zealand' sjunior

125cc motocross champion for 1996. Sewerage scheme shift to inside Park suggested Objectors to a proposed Whakapapa and Iwikau sewerage scheme suggested the effluent plant be placed inside the national park, as that is where the sewage is generated. Rangipo Power Station ash damage to cost $5m Ash from the Ruapehu eruption caused damage worth $5 million in repairs to restore the workings of the underground Rangipo Power Station on the Tongariro River. Ruapehu's Mainstreet plans costed at $5m The Mainstreet redevelopment plans for Taumarunui, Ohakune and Raetihi would total $5 million, the Ruapehu District Council was told in May 1996. Crater rim strength to be assessed before lake refills An engineering study of the strength of the eroded Ruapehu crater wall was instigated in May 1996, to see if it is strong enough to hold the lake once it refills, expected to take 3-4 years. Petition won't stop quarry purchase, says Kirton Ruapehu District Council mayor Weston Kirton said a petition calling for the dropping of plans to buy a Taumarunui quarry would go nowhere and that the decision had already been made. Wild horse cull decision challenged The national media was full of stories about a planned cull of the Kaimanawa wild horses. Turoa staff excited at early major snow A 300mm snowfall on the southern slopes of Ruapehu had ski field staff excited at the end of May 1996. Waiouru tender decision expected Thursday The facilities maintenance contract was under review in May, with rumours rife that the long-serving Serco was going to miss out. Kirton berates council $3m loan petitioners Ruapehu District Council mayor Weston Kirton criticised the organisers of a petition to block the purchase of a Taumarunui quarry for spreading misinformation. Maori health clinic planned A group of local people were looking into setting up a clinic to see to the needs of primarily Maori people in the Waimarino. Recycling service to end Waiouru' s recycling service, supported by the Army, came to an end because only two per cent of the costs of the service were being recovered in the process. National's McCarthy backing rural NZ Waimarino farmer and tourist operator John McCarthy launched his campaign to be elected to parliament to represent the expanded Taupo electorate. Southern Ruapehu escapes massive volcanic ashfall While towns to the north east of Ruapehu were covered in ash from the revived eruption, Ohakune and the southern slopes were completely clear — temporarily. Business people move to counter eruption blues With the continuing eruption of Ruapehu, local busiTurn to Paee 12