Waimarino County News

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 49, 29 May 1984, Page 18

Waimarino County News

Whilst it has been widely reported that there were few major objections to the creation of a new Wanganui River National Park it appears that the Waimarino County Council has a complaint and indeed has tried every available avenue open to them to see it rectified. The Council, at its ordinary meeting held in the Council chambers on Monday 21 May at 2.30pm heard a reply to their letter written

to the Chairman of the National Park Authority, in which they objected to the inclusion of the Mangapurua Valley in the proposed Wanganui River National Park. Of the original eighty-one submissions received addressing the issue of management of the valley, fifty-two wished to see all of the Mangapurua Valley included in the proposed park while twenty-nine wanted all or part of the valley excluded from the park proposal and made available for future farm development. In his reply the Chairman of the National Park Authority stated that all criteria had been met for the creation of the National Park and that the Mangapurua -Valley would be included. In his opinion, the decision was now final and that the Waimarino County Council's objection was a wasted one. In the opinion of Councillors however, one final letter of objection

should be sent, this time to the Minister of Lands and also the local Member of Parliament, Mr Jim Bolger expressing the Council's disapproval of the inclusion of the Mangapurua Valley. Overseer's Report The County Overseer's report was received and accepted with most discussion centred on the almost completed bridge replacement programme. Seventeen bridges have been removed in the Council's area, according to County Overseer, C.T. Trow, the onlyr problem no\v being how to dispose of the hard wood from the bridges. It was felt by Council that some of the wood would be necessary for Council use and that the balance should be put up for Public Tender. Rates "Penalty notices have been sent out to outstanding ratepayers," according to County Clerk Mrs H. Vaughan, "and have met with an excellent response." There appears to be the same problem areas as

usual, those being certain Maori blocks which are not being grazed on and ownership deeds cannot be ascertained,"she added. The Council recommended that these outstanding rates be placed in the hands of their solicitor. Domain Boards The Council formulated and adopted a policy for the administration of the Horopito and Rangataua Domain Boards, which under a new Government policy becomes their responsibility. Throughout the country, the Lands and Survey Department is handing over control of the Domain Boards to local Councils with the Waimarino County Council assuming administration for Horopito and Rangataua. Council determined the following policy. 1 . That the Domain Boards become a sub-committee of Council and contain a minimum of no less than five members excluding exofficio members. 2. Riding member(s) of appropriate Riding to be exofficio members. 3. Sub-committee members to hold office for three years, term beginning October, twelve months following Local Body elections. 4. Sub-committee to administer own funds and be subject to Local Government Audit. A balance sheet to be presented annually to the Council. 5. The sub-committee are to present a management plan to council annually and are to manage the land under the Reserves Act. Councillor Doug Bennett presented the policy to Council and stated that it would enable management of existing Domain Boards to continue as at present with local involvement. In the event of a sub-committee failure to attract sufficient support to remain effective, the County Council would have full power to assume control. Details of the Council's Policy will be sent to the respective Domain Boards for their committee's perusal.

Mary Anne (

Gill