Ohakune's 'Big Carrot' receives approval from Council

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 8, 24 July 1984, Page 1

Ohakune's 'Big Carrot' receives approval from Council

Ohakune's 'Big Carrot' is on ... and right in the middle of town too! The Ohakune Borough Council last Thursday riight gave its approval — subject to certain conditions — to the erection of the 7.5 metre fibre-glass carrot on the triangular plot of land at the intersection of Clyde and Moore Streets between the Post Office and the AHI Turoa Skifields Information Centre. What's more there is not now one carrot but one-and-a-bit. Only the top half of the second carrot will be visible. With the exception of one councillor — Ellen Gould — all the remaining councillors were in favour of both the carrots and their proposed site. Such comments as "it's a great idea", "I'm one hundred percent behind it", "best place for it", "I'm all in favour" from councillors round the table indicated

their degree of enthusiasm and contrasted sliarply with Cr. Gould's lone voice saying that "It was a revolting idea and I am totally opposed to it." The decision represents a considerable turn round on the part of the majority of the former Council. When the idea was first proposed to them by Ohakune Growers Association president, Cr. Peter Hammond, in July 1983, they were initially amused by the idea but then agreed, in a motion. proposed by Cr. Mike Wiggins and seconded by Cr. Bully Hays, that approval be given in principle to the erection of a large fibreglass carrot by the Ohakune Growers Association at Rochfort Park subject to a structural engineer's report. In his most recent submission, to a new Council elected last October, Cr. Peter Hammond, on behalf of the Ohakune

Growers Association, said that the new site on the Clyde Street/ Moore Street was now preferred to the original Rochfort Park site for several reasons. It would, he said be more convenient for the pedestrian public to view, it would be seen by all motorists passing through town (instead of only those using SH49), it could be better illuminated at night to prevent vandalism, and it was nearer to the police station. Cr. Hammond presented a perspective sketch of the proposed site together with structural engineering drawings in support of the proposal and asked for Council support. He even suggested, perhaps lightheartedly, that three holes could be provided in the back of the carrot so that anybne wishing to have their photographs taken with head and arms appearing as part of Ohakune's 'Big Carrot' could do so! The Ohakune Growers Association would like to have 'the Carrot' erected by 18 August ... the beginning of the school holidays to attract maximum attention. Cr. Gould pointed out that she was totally opposed to the desecration of a very attractive landscaped site which had taken years to establish and asked what right of appeal did the public have against such a decision

... she knew there would be some very strong objections. She was told that it was a matter for the Council to decide and subject to its description — was it a building, was it a structure, was it a sign, or was it an advertising hoarding? — it would go ahead on that site based on a majority vote of Council. But first the following conditions would have to be met. • The site meets with borough engineer's report. • The cost of erection and maintenance to be the responsibility of the Ohakune Growers Association. • That the protection of the existing site together with existing vegetation, shrubs, birch trees etc, be guaranteed. • Subject to the structure/ house/ sign/ hoarding meeting with all engineering ordinances. • Providing that the structure / house / sign / hoarding meets with all the provisions of the Town Planning Scheme. Cr. Peter Hammond was obviously delighted and perhaps slightly surprised that his two-year campaign for the 'Big Carrot' had succeeded with siich an overwhelming amount of support from his fellow. councillors. Cr. Ellen Gould wished to have her vote against the proposal recorded.