Waimarino's 1996 news reviewed

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 671, 28 January 1997, Page 9

Waimarino's 1996 news reviewed

We continue our review of news stories covered by the Ruapehu Bulletin in 1996. Rates hike for Ruapehu In July we reported that rates for Ruapehu District Council landowners would rise by an overall 5.7 per cent, to fund the $0.5 million extra needed for the '97-98 budget. (This increase was later cut, due to the eruption). Turoa open with white snow! Despite the June restart of the eruption, Turoa' s slopes remained free of ash and opened for skiing on Monday 1 July. Eruptions cost $10m, so far The eruptions of 1995 and 1996 had cost the local economy an estimated $ 1 0. 3 million by July 1 996, according to a Ruapehu District Council marketing unit survey. Party time with eruptions backdrop People flocked to ski Whakapapa' s Happy Valley in brilliant sunshine on Saturday 6 July, while a huge eruption cloud billowed behind them. Coroner calls for ATV code of practice The Waimarino coroner called for the introduction of a code of practice for recreational and work use of all-terrain-vehicles after a teenager died on a commercial trip near Ohakune. Action plan for ski business aid drafted Ski business people got together in July to look at ways they could counter the negative effects of the eruption, with politicians jumping at the chance to provide soothing words. Part of the plans was for a mardi-gras to attract people to the town. Meanwhile, the eruptions continued. In the following week's issue, we reported that the prime minister Jim Bolger had suggested to the mayor that some form of government help to the area would be possible. Rescue helicopter returns The Wanganui Aero Works helicopter returned to the area in July, after a break of several months. The chopper was available for rescue work. Raetihi business to close, eruption partly to blame Raetihi 's Bennett's Furnishers closed its doors in July, with the eruption partly to blame, although declining passing foot traffic was also a problem. Rates holiday for Ruapehu district in wake of crisis. Ruapehu District councillors voted to give ratepayers a holiday from rates increases and hold rates at the previous year's level, in response to the effects of the eruptions and the down-turn in the rural economy. Mardi-gras hoists snow spirits. A mardi-gras, held in Ohakune to draw people to the ski town hurt by the eruptions, was a rip-roaring success. Rural land market stabilised Valuation New Zealand reported that saies statistics showed rural land prices had stabilised after earlier rises. Rural road repair jobs under fire The council' s company, Ruapehu Construction Limited, was under fire for being granted the contract to repair road damage that its actions had allegedly caused. Crime reduction strategy for Waimarino drafted An action plan to reduce the incidence and effect of crime in the Waimarino was to be developed. (However, the plan later lapsed due to lack of interest). Ohakune crime figures climb Ohakune's crime rate was up by about 50 per cent while others in the area were dropping or stable, according to the Waimarino Community Safety Profile. Cold winters blamed for road closures Statistics from the Department of Conservation showed increased Desert Road closures were directly linked to colder winter weather in the 1990's. Transit New Zealand' s management of the road had come under fire, with some saying the road had been closed too frequently and for too long each time. Support for trust to own power company at 99.5% Public ownership through a trust of King Country Energy was supported by 99.5 per cent of people who made submissions on the matter in August. Major tourism plans for Rotoaira Plans for a major tourist village for land near Lake Rotoaira, requiring that a special planning zone be established, were presented to the Ruapehu District Council in August. Speculation continues on Waiouru camp down-sizing A meeting was held in Waiouru to discuss rampant rumours that there were plans for the Army Training Group camp to be drastically cut in numbers of staff. Shooting of 'marauding stallions' sensible, says McCarthy Following much debate on the Kaimanawa wild horses and a planned cull by the Department of Conservation, National Party candidate John McCarthy said the September shooting of 13 horses that were causing problems adjacent to Waiouru township was sensible. Houston defends RHL profif projecfion

In September, Ruapehu District Council' s chief executive officer Cliff Houston defended a projected profit by Ruapehu Holdings Limited of $420,000 as realistic Raetihi - Ohakune rugby rivalry almost at an end Ohakune Karioi Rugby and Sports Club members voted to wind up the club and join forces with the Raetihi Rugby Club, who were to celebrate their 100th in 1997. Tauranga Police HQ for Waimarino? Rumours that police restructuring of districts that would see Waimarino' s 'local base' as Tokoroa and headquarters in Tauranga had the community concerned. OSH closes Ruatiti bridge An impasse between a landowner and the council over maintenance of a swingbridge came to a head when Occupational Safety and Health officials placed a prohibition on the use of the bridge. Bar closing thanks to car park levy decision A requirement that the proprietors of an Ohakune Junction bar pay almost $20,000 for a car park levy to the Ruapehu District Council, was to blame for the bar's closure, according to the owners. Busiest bounce back weekend for Whakapapa Whakapapa Ski Area was visited by over 10,000 "smiling, suntanned people" on 21-22 September, helping the skifield bounce back from the effects of a very difficult season thanks to the Ruapehu eruptions. Mill to close Winstone Pulp International's Karioi mill was to shut down for a month thanks to a glut in the pulp market. Council review process hotly debated In October Ruapehu District councillors were divided over a proposed review of the council' s management structure, with the conditions of the review passed by a small majority. Ban on public drinking mooted Some Ruapehu District councillors supported the introduction of a by-law that would allow the council to ban drinking in problem public places. Turoa sad, Whakapapa glad Turoa closed for the season on 1 October thanks to eruption ash, while Whakapapa, with many snow falls covering its early ash falls, stayed open until Labour Weekend. Ruapehu needs airport - council plan submission A provincial-sized airport was needed in the Ruapehu district according to Waimarino Community Board member Robert Horne, who is also chairman of the local Mainstreet committee. Ruapehu eruption fades to Alert Level One Scientists lowered the alert level to One in early October, whichis the mountain's base level, following several weeks of uniform measurements from the volcano. Ohakune court sitting may go Waimarino Community Board members were told the monthly sitting of the district court in Ohakune may end soon. 50 years under National ends for Waimarino After more than 50 years of having a National Party member of parliament, the Waimarino was to be represented by a Labour MP, Mark Burton, following the boundary changes associated with the introduction of MMP that saw the area fall under the Taupo electorate. Council and Oliver meet halfway on bridge The long-running saga of the maintenance of a Ruatiti swingbridge seemed to be at an end when an agreement was struck whereby the council supplied the materials and the landowner, Winston Oliver, provided the labour. Waimarino land values up by 79% Land of all kinds increased in value from 1993 to 1996, according to new Valuation New Zealand valuations. Dairy land was up 127 per cent — the highest increase. Urban values in Ohakune were up 109 per cent in land value and 41 per cent in capital values. VNZ said prices were holding in the town despite the eruption, with most recognising that the eruption was a one-off event. Council policy overhaul will cosf $0.58 million An overhaul of the policies and operations of the Ruapehu District Council would cost $0.58 million, councillors were told in October. The review was to be compulsory, as dictated by central government. Raetihi dump options on the agenda The council was looking at options for rubbish disposal for Raetihi, with the news that the town's dump would be full by late 1997. Planter boxes in memory of community stalwart A group of Ohakune people set to on a project to install planter boxes in Clyde Street in memory of the late Gladys Goldfinch. Despite being on council land, they did not get

permission for the project but went ahead anyway. Ward rate surplus for 97/98 Waimarino submissions Setting the Waimarino Ward rate at the same level as the previous year, the Waimarino Community Board had a surplus of funds of $57,000 once all acceptable projects were accounted for. Orautoha planners' advice rejected The Waimarino Community Board chose to press on with plans to establish'a transfer station at the old Orautoha dump site, despite advice from council planners that a resource consent was unlikely. Tangiwai staff laid off Fourteen staff were laid off from the Tangiwai Sawmill following a glut on the domestic timber market. Raetihi theatre gains historic status Raetihi's Royal Theatre was tagged with a Historic Places Trust Category Two status in November. Ngati Rangi health deal signed Waimarino Maori signed a deal to provide health services in the area with the Central Regional Health Authority in November. Coroner calls for Forestry Corner work The Waimarino coroner called for work to be done on the state highway at the old forestry headquarters at Karioi, following a road death there. Orautoha calls MP to dump site Orautoha residents called in the big guns iq their battle to see their transfer station sited at the old dump site rather than in a more visible open paddock. Pipiriki Road works contractor replaced One of the contractors working on the Pipiriki Road improvements — on seal extension — was replaced. High dollar hurts Karioi mill The high value of the New Zealand dollar saw the Karioi Pulp Mill running at a loss last year, despite good saies. Scout hall on the market In acontroversial decision, Scout leaders decided to sell the Ohakune Scout hall and lodge, due to on-going losses and future costs. Mainstreet delays questioned Waimarino Community Board members quizzed Mainstreet chairman Robert Home about the delays to the Waimarino Mainstreet project.

Ngati Rangi and DoC sign Rangataua conservation deal Local Maori and the Department of Conservation signed an agreement to work on a proj ect to protect the ecological and cultural values in the Rotokura Ecological Reserve and Rangataua Forest Conservation area. Rail accommodation plans for Miro Park A local man made public his plans to set out a line of old railway carriages for tourist accommodation between the up-market Miro Park and Southridge Drive subdivisions. ^ New cosmopolitan club premises for Raetihi Plans to replace the Raetihi Cosmopolitan Club building in Seddon Street were finally made public in December.