Ohakune boom mixed blessing?

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 29, 10 December 1985, Page 2

Ohakune boom mixed blessing?

Dear Sir, During the past ski season I have been reminded on more than a few occasions how fortunate are the people of Ohakune in that our visitors have created such a 'boom' in the fortunes of our town for the express benefit of we lesser mortals who live here. May I be forgiven for daring to wonder just who it is for whom the town has 'boomed'? Taking into consideration the massive rate increases in the current financial year it can't be the ratepayers. Noting in last week's issue of the 'Waimarino Bulletin' a house to let in Ohakune at a rental of $120 a week, neither can it.be the members of our community who so desperately seek somewhere to live at a cost within their means. This is a problem which I wish to bring to the atten-

tion of the borough council and the community in general, in the hope that the desperate shortage of longterm rental accommodation within the town may be discussed, and hopefully some suggestions put forward towards solving it. My sympathies are very strongly with our young people who, just starting out in married life, face this almost impossible task of finding somewhere to live at a cost within their means. It is.a poor start to married life to be forced to live a life of short tenancies in holiday homes as they become vacant for short periods, and all too often this is the only type of accommodation available. With high mortgage interest rates, buying a home of their own is quite out of the question for most young people, and for those able to do so the outlay involved week by week creates a burden which will have to be carried all their young lives. The few young people who have parents in a position to help them are more fortunate. I am reminded of an acquaintance of mine who, owning a section in town, had obtained mortgage finance to build a modest house which will be let to their young people at a moderate rental. The parents are faced with large

mortgage interest repayments which will necessitate both parents working for a long time to come. With such a large proportion of residential properties within the town owned by people who live elsewhere, those who live and work here are seriously disadvantaged. The differential rating system, which I understand is coming into force next year, will no doubt afford some relief to the ratepayer but will do little to help the homeless. May I venture to make a suggestion for consideration by council? Where more than one property within the town is owned by a person living elsewhere, be they ordiriary residences or perhaps several chalet-type houses on one section which are rented out for part or all of the year, such properties be regarded as a commercial venture and rated accordingly. The extra income thus received by council to be used in the long term to purchase properties which in turn could be let at reasonable rentals to those in need of them.

B.M.

Barnes

(Mrs)

Ohakune This letter is a copy of one sent to the mayor, councillors and town clerk of the Ohakune Borough Council.