Raetihi building permits up

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 15, 9 September 1986, Page 6

Raetihi building permits up

Raetihi Borough is revelling in a building spree according to figures released at a recent meeting of the Raetihi Borough Council. This year's fees received from building permits since 1 April totals a massive $463,500, much higher than last years total received at this same time. In comparison Ohakune's total for this yearisdown by approximately half its last year's figure. ★ ★ ★ Mayor Garrick Workman reported that the new pensioner flats situated in Seddon Street, Raetihi, already have a waiting list while the final payment of the build-

ings is still being made. ★ ★ ★ The council approved an application for the placing of a sign advertising a new lodge in Raetihi, with Mayor Workman stating that the Borough had no objections to the signposting. When councillors questioned the likelihood of more than one lodge in the same vicinity, it was suggested that at that time, the sign could be chartged to read "Lodges". ★ ★ ★ Mayor Workman told the council that an attempt was being made to get the leasing of the Raetihi Borough camping grounds under way as soon as possible. ★ ★ ★ The council's application to the Rangitkei-Wanganui Catchment Board, to revoke council's resonsibility to collect catchment board rates was denied. The board stated that there was no provision for a territorial authority to revoke its responsibility for collection of rates. Cr Andrew Cornwall expressed disgust at the board's reply. "It is immoral to strip money from the people with no intention of ever putting it back into the area," he said.

Mayor Workman agreed that it was unfair. "The Government is asking us to collect GST for them as well - it's a lot to ask," he said. Cr Cornwall suggested that the local catchment board representative be invited to attend the next local council meeting to hear the council's views. ★ ★ ★ The council was advised of a grant of $1252 donated to the town's swimming baths by the Raetihi school committee. The school committee asked that an amount be passed on to the Chills Off Committee, which is raising money to cover and heat the pool. Mayor Workman told councillors that a substantial amount of the grant would go to Chills Off, but the exact amount would not be determined till the end of the season. He said that the grant was specifically earmarked for the bath's water treatment and would be used in that area if needed. He said that the swimming pool was a great facility and was supported

whole-heartedly by the council. ★ ★ ★ Concern was expressed by councillors about problems faced by farmers in the Waimarino in disposing of containers used for toxic chemicals. Cr Margo Webb said that the Waimarino had no defined area for toxic waste and urged strongly that the Wanganui Area Health Board be contacted to survey the area. "In the meantime, people just have to sit and wait,"she said. Cr Ken Summerhays was alarmed at the fact that some chemicals dumped could interact with others and urged council to act on the matter. ★ ★ ★ The problem of storm water infiltrating sewerage systems from some houses in Raetihi was discussed. Mayor Workman acknowledged thaf facilities in the town were not capable of handling large quantities of storm water. He warned home owners that it would not be in their best interests to connect storm water to sewer systems as the act was illegal.