Hobbit Motel

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 37, 6 March 1984, Page 2

Hobbit Motel

I would like to th? nk all those people who have shown support in my application to run a public restaurant at "The Hobbit" in Goldfinch Street, which I much appreciate. This support is still very much evident since the Council's decision to decline the application and therefore proves the necessity to continue the matter further. I am now left with two logical options. One is to appeal the Council's decision, possibly taking six months and costing not only myself but the rafepayers thousands of dollars. It is strange that the ratepayer's end up paying by way of Legal representation to fight against something they obviously want. The other option is to appfy for a scheme change which would probably take at least three months and again be subject to the objections from the other restaurants stalling things further, and much to. their delight. Their objections would be reasonable if they provided a substantial service but none do. Both of these options are slow and expensive to all parties and if this is to be a standard situation for all development in the town we may as well kick ourselves back into the 1800's. In most other areas of New Zealand and in particular

Wanganui, where Ohakune's Town Planner mainiy presides, a public restaurant is an integral part of a motel complex. Why should Ohakune be different? When we . consider the location of "The Hobbit" and another restaurant in exactly the same (residential) 7.one,.it is hard to imagine any difference between these establishments that will allow one to operate and not the other. If "The Hobbit" cannot operate to the public maybe the other restaurant should have it's licence revoked. The rules haVe obviously been bent in the past to allow a restaurant, club and garage in the "Residential A" zone. What is the difference now? The district scheme states that it "can and should he used in a postive manner to create a community life and environment which meets the expectations of the people who live, work and play there." It also states that "to be effective the scheme should provide a flexible .framework within which the various activities can be coordinated so that the community's hopes and objectives for the area are realised." The scheme in itself is^H complex document and not easily interpreted by the layman. Therefore at the time of it's introduction it is likely to be only contested by those knowledgeable in that field. Surely the layman should therefore be able to rely on the professiooals to operate the scheme with some degree of flexibility and to meet the requirements of the people which it serves. If Ohakune is to become established as something more than a ski resort we cannot close the doors and wonder why we have no business.

Phil

Jackson