Fate of Waiouru Railway Station in Tranz Rail's hands

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 15, Issue 691, 17 June 1997, Page 1

Fate of Waiouru Railway Station in Tranz Rail's hands

Last week's Waiouru Community Board meeting decided that the Ruapehu District Council should relinquish the lease of the railway station, following an ultimatum from Tranz Rail that work must be completed by 21 June. Despite agreeing to relinquish the lease, Community Board members passed a resolution to "seek an assurance from Tranz Rail that an appropriate structure would be erected to replace the existing structure, once it has been demolished, to cater for the travelling public." The need for a shelter was reinforced by the Board in view of Waiouru' s

extreme weather conditions. They felt that the number of people utilising the Tranz Rail service warranted the provision of such a structure. The council took over the lease in October 1 994 on behalf of a group of residents who wanted to see it restored. But the group was unable to make any significant progress. A number of options were considered including sub-leasing parts of the station. However, nothing concrete came of these discussions. Tranz Rail's concerns at the building' s state related to health and safety issues as well as the image it portrayed as an entry point into Waiouru.