Raetihi Borough Council briefs

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 11, 6 August 1985, Page 14

Raetihi Borough Council briefs

The Raetihi Borough Council has deferred reviewing its town plan. Last year the council released a preliminary review of the plan, which included provision for a tourist development area adjacent to the Parapara Highway. But at last week's full council meeting, Mayor Garrick Workman said it was possible that planning provisions would have to be reviewed again on a district wide basis if the borough becomes part of a Waimarino district council. He said he did not believe delays in completing a review would impede development. However, Cr Andrew Cornwall argued that the review should be undertaken immediately. Councillors could be placed in an awkward position if approached in business by clients wishing to undertake commercial development, he said, as it would be wrong for them to use their knowledge of mooted changes to the town plan. Cr Cornwall added, "1 think it's a retrograde step to delay the town plan when we're faced with real growth prospects," he said. Cr Tom Punch informed councillors that the Ministry of Works and Development was in the process of making available a simpler way of presenting the town plan. The present system, he said, was too cumbersome. With the exception of Cr Cornwall, the council voted to hold over a review until the town planner is able to investigate a simpler way of presenting it.

★ ★ ★ The council has approved the development of log cabin style accommodation in Ranfurly Terrace. The building will be used as a house in the initial stages, but will later be expanded to offer 35-bed accommodation for visitors to the region. The applicants are Mr and Mrs R. J. McGowan of Katikati, Bay of Plenty. The council granted permission for the project to proceed despite a number of objections. ★ ★ ★ A photograph of Raetihi's new carved sign is to be sent to Maori Affairs Minister, Koro Wetere. The new sign, which is embellished with Maori carvings, was recently erected near the town's police station. The council also agreed to send a letter of thanks to the project 's organiser, Mr A. Brown. ★ ★ ★ Cr Cornwall expressed concern at delays in recovering rate arrears from the Ngapakahi Block.

If progress has not taken place within a month councillors will send a letter to the Secretary of Maori Affairs expressing concern at the lack of progress in recovering rates from this section of land. * ★ ★ Works' committee chairman Ken Summerhays said steps were being taken to deal with the problem of rain water infiltrating the sewerage system. The problem recently led to the overflow of raw sewage onto a section in Duncan Street. The council hopes to employ a university student on a summer work scheme to assist in isolating properties where rainwater is being allowed to infiltrate the sewerage system. ★ ★ ★ Council voted to send a letter to M r H . Parata ad vising him he is contravening the District Scheme by using a residential zoned property for an engineering purpose. The council will advise him to cease engineering activities at the King Street property immediately.