WAIOURU COMMUNITY NEWS

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 48, 22 May 1984, Page 12

WAIOURU COMMUNITY NEWS

The Waiouru Community Advisory Committee held its monthly meeting in the Community Centre on Monday evening 7 May. The foliowing matters were discussed. Rubbish Collection George MacLachlan reported that a survey had been conducted of residents in the commercial area of Waiouru, west of State Highway One, to find out if they would be agreeable to participating in a onceweekly rubbish collection scheme at an estimated cost of $30-$40 per year. Mr MacLachlan said that the general consensus of opinion — not unanimous — was that it would be a viable proposition and the

Rangitikei County would now be approached to obtain final costings before a final decision was made. Speeding The problem of speeding within the military camp and the Defence Department's residential area continues. The meeting received a letter from the Waiouru School Council drawing attention to this on-going problem and asking for steps to be taken against the offending drivers. The letter pointed out that the main offenders appeared to be visitors and private contractors who were not aware of, or chose to ignore the 30 km/h speed limit. The meeting considered there was no point in having a speed limit if it wasn't

going to be enforced ... and it wasn't being enforced. The committee decided to bring this matter to the attention of the Military Police. Main Road Parking The problems associated with the parking of largetruck and trailer units beside the traffic islands on either side of State Highway One was discussed. Drivers of these huge rigs, stopping for refreshment, park their vehicles on the main road side of the traffic islands which separate the Highway from the lay-bys in front of the restaurants. By parking cjose to the exits of the laybys their rigs obscure the visibility of other motorists leaving the laybys until the fronts of their cars are well out into

the middle of SH 1 . Nor can other drivers on the main road see a car leaving a layby exit until it appears from behind a large truck and trailer unit. One suggested solution was to place a sign on the traffic island restricting parking within a certain distance of the exit but it was decided to refer the matter to the MOT. Dental Service A question was raised about the availability of a dental service in Waiouru but this seems doubtful. > One long term member of t-he committee recalled that in 1979 a visiting dentist from Turangi opened a oneday per week clinic which soon dropped to half-a-day and then, when he ran out of patients after six months, he didn't come back. It was unlikely therefore than another dental practice would be established in Waiouru with alternatives dental services being available in Taihape, Ohakune and Turangi. Elections Elections for membership of the Waiouru Community Advisory Committee are due to be held next month. Details will be published at the next public meeting of the WCAC in the community centre on Monday 1 1 June. Traffic Islands In response to a letter from the Oasis Hotel querying responsibility for the maintenance of the traffic islands between the main road (SH1) and the laybys, the committee said that the agreement was that shopkeepers in the commercial area were allowed to erect one sign on the islands providing they also maintain the islands. Roller Skating Rink Sonny Melbourne reported that a Roller Skating Rink committee had already been formed and they will be holding their next meeting on Monday 28 May.